I don't think there's necessarily an implication of the validity of "gateway drugs" there. The same idea crossed my mind, but only if this sort of treatment is

I don't think there's necessarily an implication of the validity of "gateway drugs" there. The same idea crossed my mind, but only if this sort of treatment is not accompanied by anything else. It's generally agreed that people abuse alcohol because of some sort of underlying problem. If you take the option of alcohol away and do nothing to address the problem, then it's reasonable to assume that they will look elsewhere.