Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is notoriously difficult to treat, with pharmacological options often underutilized or only modestly effective. But what if a medication already used for diabetes and obesity could help?

For years, moderate drinking was seen as harmless or even beneficial. This study challenges that, revealing how even modest alcohol consumption can raise brain iron levels and impair cognitive function.
 

Despite its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, our treatment options for alcohol use disorder are limited. Severe alcohol use disorder can be especially challenging to treat. Here, researchers demonstrate the efficacy and feasibility of a novel treatment option: deep brain stimulation.

Recent preliminary research reveals that psilocybin helped participants with alcohol use disorder cut back on drinking. Dive in to discover how this psychedelic compound might offer hope for patients who have found other current treatments ineffective.

Older adults with substance use disorders present to clinicians in various stages of change. Dr. Bogunovic discusses brief clinical interventions including motivational interviewing and how to approach harm reduction.

With three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorders and three FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorders, it can be hard to know where to start. Here we review the pros and cons of these six medications—and provide recommendations for their use in older adults.