....At least they aren't plugging it. :-D
I actually agree with the doctors who say this method is vastly more dangerous. One of the methods of killing of nerves to control chronic pain is direct alcohol injection into the nerve. I don't know that the effects on the brain would be worse, I expect the worst damage would be in the tissues of the lung and surrounding it - but the nerve treatments do have a tendency to spread and cause wider damage than what was intended. I really don't see that AWOL is functionally that much different. Maybe just a little more diffuse.
Not that drinking alcohol doesn't cause damage to the nerves on it's own. If you don't believe that, just listen to the president speak for awhile...