Drug Blocks Alcohol Cravings

Researchers at a leading brain research center in Australia have discovered a drug blocking the chemical in the brain linked to alcohol cravings.

In studies involving rats, scientists found they could block receptors of Orexin, the hormone associated with alcohol- and drug-induced highs. In one experiment rats ceased drinking freely available alcohol after receiving the Orexin-blocker. In other experiments, alcoholic rats who had undergone a detox period did not relapse into alcohol use after being reintroduced to environments associated with alcohol consumption.

These results suggest the potential for Orexin-blocking drugs that could treat alcoholism in humans, researchers say:

"We know that human drug addicts will relapse into drug-seeking, particularly if they experience a stressful circumstance or if they go back into an environment where they previously used drugs," researcher Dr Andrew Lawrence said.

"What was most exciting was we found, by using the same compound to block the orexin receptor, we could completely prevent relapse."

Read more: New hope for alcoholics