Chinese man gets surgical chip implant for alcohol addiction
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Beijing: A man in China has resorted to a surgically implanted chip to recover from an alcohol addiction. The 36-year-old is the first person in the country to get this treatment.
According to the South China Morning Post, Liu underwent a five-minute procedure at the Human Brain Hospital in central China. It is part of a clinical trial led by Hao Wei, a former vice president of the United Nation's International Narcotics Control Board.
According to the researcher, the chip releases naltrexone, a substance commonly used in addiction treatment to prevent relapse. It is then absorbed by the body and targets receptors in the brain. "The chip is expected to combat alcohol cravings for up to five months."
Liu has been an alcoholic for the past 15 years. He consumed half a litre of Chinese liquor every day. He was violent after drinking and anxious when he did not have a bottle with him. He drank alcohol throughout the day and that included even before breakfast. The addiction became so acute in the past five years that he destroyed his health and relationships.
He was initially anxious about the clinical trials but ultimately decided to go for it. The procedure took only five minutes and Liu was surprised at how quick and easy it was.