By focusing on a group of enzymes that normally are activated to break down alcohol in our bodies, a
group of researchers from Chile have developed a vaccine to help alcoholics recover from their
disease.

The enzymes, aldehyde dehydrogenase, are disabled within the vaccine, creating the sensation of a
hangover within just a few drinks, discouraging consumption. Lead researcher Juan Asenio, from
Chile’s Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, states that the desire to consume alcohol once on the
vaccine would be drastically reduced and hopes to decrease consumption by 90-95%.

The vaccine has been tested on rats dependent on alcohol. They decreased consumption by half once
using the vaccine. Human clinical trials are scheduled for 2012 for the vaccine which would be
administered once a month. Please visit http://www.news-medical.net/
news/20110109/Vaccines-for-alcoholismand- cocaine-addiction-coming-soon.aspx.