Feature
Closing the Treatment Gap for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
Drinking too much—whether on a single occasion or over many years—can take a serious toll on an individual’s health. Clinicians across the health care spectrum can play important roles in preventing and treating the harmful effects of alcohol. This role is particularly important among providers who manage patients with liver diseases.
News From the Field
New Research Characterizes Alcohol Use Disorder Profiles To Predict Treatment Outcomes
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a heterogeneous disorder, meaning individuals with AUD differ in their clinical symptoms and in the biological and psychological factors that contribute to their disorder. A better understanding of individual differences in AUD could inform the development of tailored treatment approaches to increase treatment effectiveness.
News From the Field
Heart Medication Shows Potential as Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Spironolactone, a medication for heart problems and high blood pressure, may also be effective for treating alcohol use disorder, according to a new National Institutes of Health study.
A Closer Look
Researchers Gain New Insight Into the Development of Severe Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis
Alcohol misuse can lead to alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), a form of liver disease with a high short-term mortality rate in severe cases. Currently, no medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat AH, and liver transplantation is often required due to liver failure.
Spotlight
National Conference Focuses on Health Issues Affecting Women and Girls
In October, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Interagency Work Group on Drinking and Drug Use in Women and Girls hosted the 2022 National Conference on Alcohol and Other Substance Use in Women and Girls: Advances in Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.
By The Numbers
Alcohol-Related Deaths Continued To Increase in 2021
The annual total number of alcohol-related deaths increased 25% between 2019 and 2020 (from 78,927 to 99,017).