Feature
Incorporating Harm Reduction Into Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery
For many years, complete abstinence from alcohol consumption was viewed as the most effective way to recover from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and was a primary outcome of AUD treatment. A large body of evidence, however, suggests that treatment and recovery strategies that reduce heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences without complete abstinence can be effective for mitigating the harms associated with alcohol misuse for many individuals.
Noteworthy
Scientific Diversity Officer Selected for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Dawn Wayman, M.H.S., has been selected as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Scientific Diversity Officer (SDO). The role of SDO represents a new position at NIAAA and emphasizes the institute’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility both internally and in the broader alcohol research community.
Noteworthy
Scientific Director for the Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research Selected for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
David Lovinger, Ph.D., has been selected as the Scientific Director for the Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. In his role as Scientific Director, Dr. Lovinger will provide scientific, programmatic, and administrative leadership for the Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research.
Spotlight
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Launches an Educational Virtual Reality Experience for Teens
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recently launched Alcohol and Your Brain, a virtual reality module to engage and educate young audiences about how alcohol affects the brain. Designed for Oculus Quest, Quest 2, or Meta Quest Pro headsets, this activity takes users on a virtual rollercoaster ride through the brain, with stops to describe alcohol’s harmful effects on the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
Spotlight
Empowering Health Care Professionals to Provide Evidence-Based Care
Since its release just over a year ago, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Healthcare Professional’s Core Resource on Alcohol has been the focus of ongoing efforts to empower health care professionals in providing evidence-based alcohol-related care.
A Closer Look
The Beauty of #SciArt
“Things I’ve seen through a microscope” is the straightforward way Margaret (Meg) Davis, Ph.D., describes her X, formerly known as Twitter, channel, @BrainsRus. Dr. Davis is a retired NIAAA neuroscientist and anatomist, who remains dedicated to tweeting about and sharing her fascination with “#SciArt”—the dazzling and colorful scenes visible thanks to innovations in neuroscientific imaging.
