Feature

The Importance of Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment in Closing the Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Gap

Image of female health care provider talking with older male patient, in front of a computer screen.

Decades of research have firmly established the importance of asking primary care patients about their alcohol use, providing brief advice about reducing alcohol misuse, and referring them to appropriate alcohol treatments, as necessary. Studies consistently find that these practices, known collectively as alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment, can be used effectively by providers across the health care spectrum to prevent or reduce alcohol misuse among their patients.

News From the Field

Alcohol and Other Substance Use To Cope With Social Anxiety

Image of African American male standing with his hand on his forehead, with people in business suits talking in the background at a social gathering.

Using alcohol to cope with social anxiety is associated with increased substance use and more consequences among young adults, according to a study by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-supported researchers.

Noteworthy

Major Update to Popular Alcohol Facts and Statistics Resource

Image of a computer screen showing charts and graphs. Text overlay says: “Revised and updated. Now available: The latest ‘Alcohol Facts and Statistics’.” Logo for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has released a major update to the Alcohol Facts and Statistics webpage.

A Closer Look

Enhancing Diversity in the Alcohol Research Workforce: NIAAA-supported MOSAIC Scholars

Image against a tile mosaic background. Text overlay says, “NIH MOSAIC Scholars: NIAAA’s 2022 Awardees.” Photograph of Josiah Hardesty, Ph.D., University of Louisville. Photograph of Gabriella Lopez, Ph.D., Brown University. Photograph of Laura C. Ornelas, Ph.D., UNC Chapel Hill.

Enhancing diversity in the alcohol research workforce is an important priority of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). One way that NIAAA pursues this objective is through support of the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers program, established and led by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

5 Questions With…

Bridget Williams-Simmons, Ph.D.

Photograph of Bridget Williams-Simmons, Ph.D.

Associate Director for Basic Research and Director of the Office of Science Policy and Communications, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism