Alcohol
The most widely used psychoactive substance in America. Associated with more death and disability nationally than all illicit drugs combined.
Latest reporting
The Ozempic-for-Drinking Trial Just Published Real Numbers. The Headline Effect Missed Its Own Primary Target.
A Phase 2 trial of oral semaglutide for alcohol use disorder found real reductions in heavy drinking days and craving — but missed its own pre-registered primary endpoint. Here's what that gap means, and why the VA is running the next version now.
Nobody Warns You That Year Six of Recovery Has Its Own Crisis. It Just Looks Nothing Like Year One's.
Long-term recovery brings a distinct set of psychological challenges — identity, purpose, relationships — that early-recovery programs rarely prepare people for.
Alcohol Sales Keep Sliding. Stop Reading That as a Recovery Win.
US beverage alcohol sales fell 2.6% in the four weeks ending July 11 while non-alcoholic spirits grew 22.8%. A shrinking alcohol market is not a shrinking alcohol problem.
Through eight lenses
Science
GABA-A positive allosteric modulator, NMDA antagonist, multiple neurotransmitter effects.
The Ozempic-for-Drinking Trial Just Published Real Numbers. The Headline Effect Missed Its Own Primary Target.
Jul 31A Diabetes Drug Just Quieted Cravings Science Couldn't Explain. Washington Just Deleted the Number That Told You How Much Was Too Much.
Jul 22Craving Isn't a Moral Failure — New Research Says It's a Measurable Warning Sign
Jul 6
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).
The Ozempic-for-Drinking Trial Just Published Real Numbers. The Headline Effect Missed Its Own Primary Target.
Jul 31The Lancet's Semaglutide Trial Is the Best Alcohol News in a Decade — And Medicine Doesn't Know What to Do With It Yet
Jun 28Semaglutide Cut Heavy Drinking by Half in a Randomized Trial. The Lancet Published the Proof.
Jun 26
Psychology
Withdrawal can be fatal (seizures, DTs); craving neurobiology.
Nobody Warns You That Year Six of Recovery Has Its Own Crisis. It Just Looks Nothing Like Year One's.
Jul 29A Diabetes Drug Just Quieted Cravings Science Couldn't Explain. Washington Just Deleted the Number That Told You How Much Was Too Much.
Jul 22MAHA Went After Seed Oils, Sugar, and Vaccines. Alcohol Got a Pass.
Jul 12
Policy
Age 21, OSHA workplace, ABC licensing, dram shop.
Trends
105,400 alcohol-induced deaths in 2022 — 30% pandemic-era surge.
Alcohol Sales Keep Sliding. Stop Reading That as a Recovery Win.
Jul 26The Seven-in-a-Hundred Problem: Alcohol Kills as Many Americans as Fentanyl, and 93 Percent Never Get Treatment
Jun 22The Medication Nobody's Taking: AUD Has Three FDA-Approved Treatments. Fewer Than 3% of People With the Disorder Receive Any of Them.
May 23
Treatment
FDA-approved meds (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram) — underused; only ~10% of AUD gets treatment. Motivational interviewing + CBT + 12-step.
Nobody Warns You That Year Six of Recovery Has Its Own Crisis. It Just Looks Nothing Like Year One's.
Jul 29A Diabetes Drug Just Quieted Cravings Science Couldn't Explain. Washington Just Deleted the Number That Told You How Much Was Too Much.
Jul 22Craving Isn't a Moral Failure — New Research Says It's a Measurable Warning Sign
Jul 6
Harm Reduction
Managed drinking, eating+hydration, avoiding mixing with benzos/opioids, medically-managed withdrawal when needed.