Quote:Once the specific neurons were labeled in this way, the researchers injected a compound that could inactivate only the alcohol-linked neurons. The neurons were effectively silenced, and the results were remarkable.
'I wasn't sure if I believed it'
Much to the researchers' surprise, the rats completely stopped compulsively drinking alcohol. The change was not momentary, either, it lasted for as long as the rats were monitored.
Because the response was much stronger than expected, the team went on to run the experiment a second and third time to check the findings; each time, the results were the same. Once the specific amygdala neurons were silenced, the need for alcohol evaporated. As study leader Olivier George says: "It's like they forgot they were dependent."
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312817.php
The researchers need funding to continue studies on people, as these findings were from studies done on rats.
This is hope for those that can't kick the addiction.