A Narrative Review of Current and Emerging Trends in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
Brain Sciences – March 20, 2024
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) accounts for 5.1% of the global disease burden, contributing to over 140,000 US deaths annually and 200 related diseases. Despite this significant impact, a scarcity of approved medicine and other treatment modalities persists. New psychological intervention strategies are emerging, including psychedelics alongside psychotherapy, and novel drug studies targeting neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. These advancements address the substantial disease burden, offering hope for improved psychiatry and disease management amidst current economic shortage challenges.
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. It contributes to over 140,000 annual deaths, to over 200 related diseases and health conditions globally, and accounts for 5.1% of the global disease burden. Despite its substantial impact, AUD remains undertreated, marked by a scarcity of approved medications. This paper explores the current treatment landscape and novel strategies for both alcohol withdrawal syndrome and AUD. Promising results, including the use of psychedelics alongside psychotherapy, noninvasive neural-circuit-based interventions, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists, have emerged from recent studies. While these advancements show potential, further research is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness. The clear shortage of approved medications and other treatment modalities underscores the pressing need for ongoing research.