Shoplifters can be cured with drug addiction pill

London: A drug commonly used to treat drug addiction may help curb the urge to steal among shoplifters, scientists have said.

They found the drug naltrexone helped take away the "thrill" that drives some kleptomaniacs to steal.

"It gets rid of the rush," said Dr Jon Grant, of the University of Minnesota in America, who led the study.

Dr Grant tested 25 patients, some of which took naltrexone, while the others took a placebo or dummy drug.

Those who took naltrexone reported significantly less stealing behaviour compared to those given placebo.