Alcohol
The most widely used psychoactive substance in America. Associated with more death and disability nationally than all illicit drugs combined.
Latest reporting
The Hospital Treats the Emergency. Then You're Discharged Alone With the Disease That Caused It.
A systematic review of 17 studies and 12,400 hospitalized alcohol use disorder patients found weak evidence for nearly every intervention meant to connect them to outpatient care — while fewer than half ever get that follow-up at all.
The Same Drug Class Behind Ozempic Is Now the Most Promising Alcohol Medication in 20 Years
GLP-1 drugs — the same drug class as Ozempic and Wegovy — are now in four separate trials for alcohol use disorder, the first genuinely new pharmacological approach to the disease in nearly two decades. The science is moving faster than the insurance system that would need to pay for it.
Brad Pitt Says He Can Drink Again 'in a Restrained Manner.' Your Brain Didn't Get the Memo About Restraint.
Brad Pitt says he can drink 'in a restrained manner' after seven sober years. The neuroscience of craving — and the doctors who avoid treating addiction at all — explain why that's a harder bet than it sounds.
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.
Policy
Age 21, OSHA workplace, ABC licensing, dram shop.
The Hospital Treats the Emergency. Then You're Discharged Alone With the Disease That Caused It.
Sep 10The Same Drug Class Behind Ozempic Is Now the Most Promising Alcohol Medication in 20 Years
Aug 31The Alcohol Lobby Worked the Dietary Guidelines for Years. In January, the Warning Label Disappeared.
Jul 22
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.