Alcohol
The most widely used psychoactive substance in America. Associated with more death and disability nationally than all illicit drugs combined.
Latest reporting
The FDA Just Cleared the First US Ibogaine Trial. It Took 30 Years.
DemeRx received FDA IND clearance for noribogaine—an ibogaine metabolite—for alcohol use disorder. Dr. Deborah Mash has been waiting three decades for this regulatory opening.
Naltrexone augmented with prazosin for alcohol use disorder: results from a randomized controlled proof-of-concept trial
A January 2026 study found blood-based biomarkers that predict whether a patient will respond better to naltrexone or nalmefene for alcohol use disorder. Precision prescribing for AUD may finally be within reach.
Semaglutide Just Outperformed Every Approved Alcohol Treatment on the Market
A randomized clinical trial of once-weekly semaglutide for alcohol use disorder produced a 41.1% reduction in heavy drinking days with an NNT of 4.3 — outperforming every currently FDA-approved treatment for AUD.
Through eight lenses
Science
GABA-A positive allosteric modulator, NMDA antagonist, multiple neurotransmitter effects.
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).
Psychology
Withdrawal can be fatal (seizures, DTs); craving neurobiology.
What Alcohol Does to the Brain, and What the Brain Has to Do to Come Back
Jun 12Stress Makes You Want a Drink. But Not Everyone's Brain Works the Same Way, and the Treatment System Doesn't Know That Yet.
Jun 6The Medication That Could Help 14.5 Million People — and That Fewer Than 5% of Them Ever Receive
Jun 2
Policy
Age 21, OSHA workplace, ABC licensing, dram shop.
Trends
105,400 alcohol-induced deaths in 2022 — 30% pandemic-era surge.
Treatment
FDA-approved meds (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram) — underused; only ~10% of AUD gets treatment. Motivational interviewing + CBT + 12-step.
Harm Reduction
Managed drinking, eating+hydration, avoiding mixing with benzos/opioids, medically-managed withdrawal when needed.