In fact, lesioning the front part of the basal ganglia is an effective (although highly controversial and questionably ethical) treatment for drug addiction. The relapse rate for heroin addicts is absurdly high; some estimate as high as 90 percent. One study in China took the most severe heroin addicts and lesioned the front part of their basal ganglia. The relapse rate dropped to 42 percent. People lose the automatic behavior of pursuing cues and generating cravings (of course, there are also many side effects of such a surgery).
