The implant delivers the non-addictive medicine, naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that can significantly reduce physical cravings for alcohol and opioids.
They now hope the discovery could lead to new non-addictive, nicotine based treatments for some of the 51 million people worldwide who suffer from the mental illness.
Experts say money, the growing evidence of medicinal benefits, and a widespread perception of pot as a benign non-addictive drug are driving the current push for legalization.
Unlike the steroids used for performance enhancement or bodybuilding, these medicines are non-addictive and long-term use doesn't have any major side-effects.