Could there be a cure for alcoholism in pill form?

A French cardiologist may have found the cure for alcoholism after beating his own condition. In his book, Le Dernier Verre (The Last Glass), Dr Olivier Ameisen describes his own experience with alcoholism, and how rehab clinics failed to help him.

He became interested in baclofen after reading the story of a cocaine addict who was treated with the drug for his muscle spasms.  As a side effect, baclofen helped supress his cravings. Dr Ameisen also found research proving that the drug eliminated addiction to alcohol and cocaine in rats.  He started self-administering baclofen to treat his alcoholism in 2002 and continues to take it today.

Dr Ameisen hopes that clinical trials will be performed to prove (or disprove) his theory. Although baclofen is not approved to cure alcoholism, according to reports some doctors have already started treating alcoholic patients successfully. Baclofen is a muscle relaxer that’s routinely used to treat spasticity.

Want to read the book? The Last Glass has been translated into English. Look out for it in the bookstores.

news source: BBC

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