Drug Class · Substance Pillar

Alcohol

The most widely used psychoactive substance in America. Associated with more death and disability nationally than all illicit drugs combined.

62 stories·8 lenses·Read the definitive guide →

Latest reporting

Technology & InnovationOct 23

Telehealth Is Selling GLP-1s for Addiction Before the FDA Has Said Whether They Work

Online addiction clinics are prescribing GLP-1 drugs off-label for alcohol use disorder ahead of FDA approval. What the early trial data show and what to ask before you start.

Science & MedicineOct 21

24,643 Patients Later, Phenobarbital and Diazepam Look Like a Tie. Don't Rip Up the Protocol Yet.

A retrospective JAMA Internal Medicine study of 24,643 adults finds phenobarbital and diazepam perform about the same for alcohol withdrawal. What it can and can't tell your hospital.

Science & MedicineOct 20

Hospitals Know How to Prevent a Brain Injury From Drinking. They Keep Giving the Wrong Dose.

A scoping review of 26 studies and 44,240 adults finds Wernicke encephalopathy is often treated late and with low thiamine doses, and no optimal regimen has been identified.

Through eight lenses

01

Science

GABA-A positive allosteric modulator, NMDA antagonist, multiple neurotransmitter effects.

02

Biology

Dose-dependent CNS depression; acute risks (respiratory depression, injury, aspiration); chronic (hepatic, cardiovascular, cancer risk across 7 cancers per 2025 Surgeon General report, wernicke-korsakoff).

03

Psychology

Withdrawal can be fatal (seizures, DTs); craving neurobiology.

04

Policy

Age 21, OSHA workplace, ABC licensing, dram shop.

05

Trends

105,400 alcohol-induced deaths in 2022 — 30% pandemic-era surge.

06

Social & Cultural

Sober-curious movement, NA beer boom, cultural normalization + medical reframing.

07

Treatment

FDA-approved meds (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram) — underused; only ~10% of AUD gets treatment. Motivational interviewing + CBT + 12-step.

08

Harm Reduction

Managed drinking, eating+hydration, avoiding mixing with benzos/opioids, medically-managed withdrawal when needed.

Alcohol

Latest reporting

Telehealth Is Selling GLP-1s for Addiction Before the FDA Has Said Whether They Work

24,643 Patients Later, Phenobarbital and Diazepam Look Like a Tie. Don't Rip Up the Protocol Yet.

Hospitals Know How to Prevent a Brain Injury From Drinking. They Keep Giving the Wrong Dose.

Through eight lenses

Science

24,643 Patients Later, Phenobarbital and Diazepam Look Like a Tie. Don't Rip Up the Protocol Yet.

Hospitals Know How to Prevent a Brain Injury From Drinking. They Keep Giving the Wrong Dose.

Your Appetite for Risk Moves First. The Drinking Follows a Month Later.

Biology

A Brain Region Lights Up Before Relapse Happens, Mouse Study Suggests

The Wine Study Measured Wealth, Not Wine

Semaglutide Just Outperformed Every FDA-Approved Alcohol Medication. It's Still Not Approved For That.

Psychology

Your Appetite for Risk Moves First. The Drinking Follows a Month Later.

Four Million Fewer Americans Have Alcohol Use Disorder Than in 2021. Don't Thank the Mocktails.

Cutting Back Counts. American Treatment Just Won't Say So.

Policy

The Hospital Treats the Emergency. Then You're Discharged Alone With the Disease That Caused It.

The Same Drug Class Behind Ozempic Is Now the Most Promising Alcohol Medication in 20 Years

The Alcohol Lobby Worked the Dietary Guidelines for Years. In January, the Warning Label Disappeared.

Trends

Telehealth Is Selling GLP-1s for Addiction Before the FDA Has Said Whether They Work

Four Million Fewer Americans Have Alcohol Use Disorder Than in 2021. Don't Thank the Mocktails.

American Drinking Just Hit a Historic Low — Because the 'Healthy Glass of Wine' Myth Finally Died

Your Appetite for Risk Moves First. The Drinking Follows a Month Later.

Four Million Fewer Americans Have Alcohol Use Disorder Than in 2021. Don't Thank the Mocktails.

Brad Pitt Started Drinking Again. The Internet's Reaction Says More Than His Wine Glass Does.

Treatment

Telehealth Is Selling GLP-1s for Addiction Before the FDA Has Said Whether They Work

24,643 Patients Later, Phenobarbital and Diazepam Look Like a Tie. Don't Rip Up the Protocol Yet.

Hospitals Know How to Prevent a Brain Injury From Drinking. They Keep Giving the Wrong Dose.

Harm Reduction

Cutting Back Counts. American Treatment Just Won't Say So.

The Hospital Treats the Emergency. Then You're Discharged Alone With the Disease That Caused It.

You Don't Have to Want to Quit Drinking for This Drug to Help You Drink Less