A method of preventing drug use relapse by administering an effective amount of an α3β4 nicotinic antagonist to a mammal after an initial period of drug use, and preventing a relapse of drug use. A method of preventing drug use relapse due to cue inducement by administering an effective amount of an α3β4 nicotinic antagonist to a mammal after an initial period of drug use, and preventing a relapse of drug use during cue inducement. A method of preventing drug use relapse due to cue inducement by modulating the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway by blocking α3β4 nicotinic receptors in the habenulo-interpeduncular pathway and the basolateral amygdala of a mammal after an initial period of drug use, and preventing a relapse of drug use during cue inducement. A method of preventing drug use relapse by preventing a relapse of drug use during cue inducement.
