Also known as: alcohol addiction
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It can range from mild to severe and may involve tolerance and withdrawal.
Adial Pharmaceuticals completed demonstration batch production for AD04, meeting prespecified specifications and matching the prior Phase 2 dissolution profile. The step enables clinical and registration batch production for the planned Phase 3 trial.
GLP-1 drugs discovered accidentally in anglerfish research now treat conditions beyond diabetes including kidney disease, sleep apnea, and addiction. The global diabetes therapeutics market is projected to reach $241.5 billion by 2030, growing at 12.4% annually.
Studies of psilocybin found lasting shifts in life values in healthy volunteers and reduced fear of death in therapeutic settings. Trials have also reported benefits in cancer patients.
A study of over 600,000 patients reveals GLP-1 drugs may reduce addiction across multiple substances, with 50% fewer substance-related deaths and significant reductions in overdoses and hospitalizations. The drugs work by dampening dopamine signaling in brain reward centers. Researchers are exploring broader applications for these medications beyond diabetes and obesity treatment.
New research challenges the theory that ketamine's psychedelic effects drive its therapeutic benefits for alcohol use disorder. A study of 96 participants found no link between ketamine's psychoactive experiences and improved abstinence rates. The findings suggest other mechanisms, such as brain network alterations, may explain ketamine's effectiveness in treating addiction.
Altimmune's pemvidutide received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MASH treatment, with Phase 3 trial initiation planned for 2026. The company raised $75 million in January 2026 to fund development.
New research reveals GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce substance use disorders by 14%, lower Parkinson's disease risk after 5-10 years of use, and cut endometrial cancer risk by 66% when combined with progestin therapy.
A large study of over 600,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes found GLP-1 medications reduced the risk of developing substance use disorders by 14% and cut drug-related deaths by 50% in those with existing addiction.
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, reduced alcohol intake by more than half in animal models and prevented relapse-like drinking behaviors, offering potential insights for alcohol use disorder treatment.
The UK government is offering £20 million in grants through Innovate UK to develop cutting-edge medicines, medical technologies and digital tools to tackle drug and alcohol addiction, which causes around 15,000 deaths annually and costs England an estimated £47 billion each year.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07602270 |
Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Alcohol Intoxication |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07582692 |
Sequential Prefrontal Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback on Abstinence Self-Efficacy, Mindfulness, and EEG in Alcohol Use Disorder |
COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT07580378 |
Exploration of Acceptability of Alcohol Interventions |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07573540 |
Optimizing Smart Technology for Addiction Recovery |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07553377 |
A Digital Pill System to Measure and Support Acamprosate Adherence in Individuals With Alcohol Associated Liver Disease |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07532252 |
Daridorexant for Alcohol Use Disorder |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07525258 |
Implementation Facilitation Pilot for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Alcohol-associated Liver Disease (ALD) |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07520292 |
Study of NTX-2001 on Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol Use Disorder |
RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07510113 |
Probiotic Study in Alcohol Recovery |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07501130 |
Feasibility of Telephone-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Hong Kong Chinese Young Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Pilot Study |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | NA |
