One pharmacological treatment that acts in brain pathways related to alcohol abuse is naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist that has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings and block the rewarding effects of alcohol. It is thought to work by decreasing the release of dopamine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter involved in the reinforcing effects of alcohol. Naltrexone is often used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for alcohol use disorder.
