Abstract: A method is provided for effectively terminating methadone maintenance therapy and the addiction to other legally-available opiates by selectively extinguishing the opiate-taking responses. Selective extinction is produced having sessions in which detoxified addicts make opiate-taking responses while an opiate antagonist blocks the positive reinforcement, interspersed by periods when the antagonist is absent and all responses except opiate-taking can be emitted. A similar method but with instructions not to take the opiate can subsequently be used to protect against resumption of illegal opiate use, or separately with patients addicted to illegal opiates producing reinforcement through the opioidergic system.

Abstract: A method for treating alcoholism by extinguishing the alcohol-drinking response in which an opiate antagonist is transdermally administered to a subject and a device for transdermally administering the antagonist. The device is a package containing a fixed dose of opiate antagonist, a vehicle and a permeation enhancer.

Abstract: A method for treating alcoholism. The alcohol-drinking response of alcoholics is extinguished by having them drink alcoholic beverages while nalmefene, an opiate antagonist, blocks the positive reinforcement effect of ethanol in the brain.

Abstract: A therapeutic method is provided for use as an adjunct in the treatment of alcoholism. The method consists of extinguishing the alcohol-drinking response of alcoholics during a relatively short period of time by having them drink alcoholic beverage repeatedly while an opiate antagonist blocks the positive reinforcement effects of ethanol in the brain.