Here's a fine idea

A hallucinogenic drug popular in the 1960s could help scientists find a medical treatment for alcoholism, US researchers believe.

A University of California team said ibogaine blocked alcohol cravings in rats by boosting a brain protein.

It was already thought it could combat addiction, but scientists have been wary as the drug is also toxic.
  BBC article

Choose your poison, eh?

Did I ever tell you about my brother's high school science project? He took twelve chicks, divided them into four pens and fed them varying amounts of alcohol in their water supply: water only; 25% Old Grandad (or something); 50% whiskey; 100% whiskey - no water. I'm sure it was less of a scientific question for him than a high-school boy's idea of a funny thing. Poor chickens. They all survived. Chickens are not the sweetest of animals to begin with, but the ones raised on whiskey turned into some seriously bad-ass S.O.B.s.

So, anyway...rats are more kin to humans. And yet...

A further note of caution was added by Martin Plant, professor of addiction studies at the University of the West of England, who said: "People become addicted to alcohol for many different reason. The idea that taking tablets cures the problem is naive."

Dr Bruce Ritson, of the Medical Council on Alcohol, said: "Addiction is a complex area and I would not believe it is the whole answer."

Ah, a sensible man. anyway.