Alcohol Use Disorder News and Research

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Giving a shot of ketamine could help heavy drinkers reduce alcohol intake

A one-off dose of ketamine could help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol intake, finds a new UCL experimental study.

26 Nov 2019

Study demonstrates potential therapeutic use of ketamine for alcohol addiction

A study shows one-off dose of ketamine could help heavy drinkers reduce alcohol intake by ‘erasing’ drink-related memories.

26 Nov 2019

Study reveals how adults exposed to alcohol go on to develop compulsive drinking behaviors

Occasional binge drinking isn't uncommon, but about 30 percent of all adults exposed to alcohol go on to engage in compulsive drinking behaviors despite negative effects and consequences - a major feature of alcohol use disorder.

22 Nov 2019

Report investigates impact of smoking, alcohol on cerebellum and related cognitive function

There is consistent evidence that having an alcohol use disorder is associated with abnormalities in the cerebellum, a structure attached to the bottom of the brain that is involved in coordinating posture and balance but also in supporting some cognitive functions.

15 Nov 2019

Ketamine may be viable treatment option for male alcohol use disorder patients

The drug ketamine decreases alcohol consumption in male, but not female, rats, according to new research published in eNeuro. The findings suggest that ketamine may be a viable treatment option for male patients with an alcohol use disorder.

13 Nov 2019

Kratom may be effective, but not entirely safe to treat alcohol use disorder

Lawmakers across the United States continue to debate the safety of kratom, an opioid-containing plant that has been listed as a "drug of concern" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Kratom is sold over the counter in specialty stores and online.

13 Nov 2019

Study identifies pretreatment change trajectories in people seeking treatment for AUD

Treatment for alcohol use disorder often involves a course of counseling aimed at changing the patient's drinking behavior.

5 Nov 2019

Brain imaging shows links between self control and alcohol dependence

Excessive and harmful drinking is a key feature of an alcohol use disorder. The causes of substance use disorders are complex, but deficiences in certain aspects of self-control have been implicated.

5 Nov 2019

Acetate derived from alcohol metabolism directly influences epigenetic regulation in the brain

Triggers in everyday life such as running into a former drinking buddy, walking by a once-familiar bar, and attending social gatherings can all cause recovering alcoholics to "fall off the wagon."

24 Oct 2019

Researchers to study efficacy of RESHAPE program to reduce stigma of primary care providers

Researchers from the George Washington University, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal, Duke University, and King's College London are developing a strategy to reduce mental health stigma among health care providers and subsequently improve detection of patients with mental illness.

17 Oct 2019

Tech-based delivery of CBT shows promise for alcohol use treatment

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and is a proven treatment for alcohol use disorder.

30 Sep 2019

Study examines link between disturbed sleep, intrusive thoughts, and alcohol problems among veterans

Post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbance and alcohol problems are common among military veterans, and often occur together, with a large toll on physical and mental health.

27 Sep 2019

Abnormal gut bacteria linked to poor cognitive performance in vets with PTSD and cirrhosis

A study involving military veterans with PTSD and cirrhosis of the liver points to an abnormal mix of bacteria in the intestines as a possible driver of poor cognitive performance--and as a potential target for therapy.

13 Sep 2019

Researchers explore potential reasons for cross-generation differences in problem drinking

Problem drinking has become more common in the US in recent decades. The San Diego Prospective Study, which began in 1978, revealed an almost two-fold increase in alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder among the current generation of young-adult drinkers compared to their fathers ─with similar increases reported in large nationwide surveys.

28 Aug 2019

People recovering from alcohol use disorder struggle to recognize angry facial expressions

People in early-stage recovery from alcohol use disorder can struggle to recognize facial expressions of emotion ─particularly anger ─according to a study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

13 Aug 2019

Drug used to treat alcohol use disorder reduces craving in heavy drinkers

Researchers at Yale University have identified how naltrexone, a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder, reduces craving and consumption in heavy drinkers.

6 Aug 2019

Alcohol reduction associated with improved viral suppression in women living with HIV

Women living with HIV are less likely than men to achieve viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy.

11 Jul 2019

Solitary drinking can be influenced by social discomfort, especially among underage females

Although drinking alone does not necessarily mean that someone has a drinking problem, solitary drinking by youth is alarming for several reasons: it may lead to heavier drinking, numerous psychosocial problems, and long-term alcohol problems.

24 Jun 2019

Nurses play key role in promoting compassionate care for patients with alcohol use disorder

Nurses play a critical role in promoting compassionate care for patients and families affected by alcohol use disorder, including evidence-based medication-assisted treatment approaches, according to a paper in the July/September Journal of Christian Nursing, official journal of the Nurses Christian Fellowship.

12 Jun 2019

Integrated stepped alcohol treatment reduces alcohol use in people with HIV

People with HIV who drink too much were more likely to reduce drinking after undergoing an approach to care known as integrated stepped alcohol treatment, according to a Yale-led study.

20 May 2019