The present invention relates to a method of treating alcoholism or alcohol abuse by administering to a subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an opioid antagonist before imminent drinking. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method of treating alcoholism or alcohol abuse by administering transmucosally to a subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an opioid antagonist before imminent drinking. Preferably, the opioid antagonist used in the method is nalmefene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also relates to a method of treating alcoholism or alcohol abuse by administering to a subject before imminent drinking a transmucosal preparation comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an opioid antagonist, wherein the transmucosal preparation has rapid onset of action. Advantageously, a FAH+ subject is treated. Further, the invention relates to a method of treating alcoholism or alcohol abuse of a FAH+ subject, comprising extinguishing an alcohol-drinking response by administering to the FAH+ subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of nalmefene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
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