Naltrexone is thought to block the pleasurable effects of drinking alcohol.
Dr Sinclair believes that, by taking the drug and continuing to drink, alcoholics will slowly unlearn their drinking habits. But alcohol experts in the UK are sceptical, saying that Dr Sinclair's treatment needs more research. They are also worried that naltrexone does not address other aspects of alcoholism, such as the reason why a person turns to drink in the first place. The programme, which is launched in the UK on Tuesday, is only available from selected clinics run by the organisation ContrAl. It is already being prescribed at ContrAl clinics in Cardiff and Bristol.