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Alcoholics and heavy smokers struggling to shake their addictions could
benefit from a drug designed for heroin addicts. Britannia Pharmaceuticals of
Surrey has discovered that the drug lofexidine, normally used to help opiate
addicts kick their habit, can also help recovering alcoholics and smokers cope
with the withdrawal symptoms that so often tip them off the wagon (GB 2359488).
The company thinks the drug works for smokers because it reduces levels of
noradrenaline, which fuels withdrawal symptoms like sweating, chills and cramps.