Webinar on Harnessing Technology and Social Media to Address Alcohol Misuse in Adolescents and Emerging Adults

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is hosting a free, interactive webinar about how to harness technology and social media to prevent and address alcohol misuse in two populations–adolescents and emergent adults. You can watch the webinar live on NIH Videocast on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at noon to 1:00 pm Eastern … Read more

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Launches an Educational Virtual Reality Experience for Teens

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recently launched Alcohol and Your Brain, a virtual reality (VR) 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 … Read more

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 … Read more

Alcohol and Other Substance Use To Cope With Social Anxiety

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 (NIAAA)-supported researchers.1 The findings also suggest that young adults who drink to cope with social anxiety experience more negative consequences associated with their alcohol use, … Read more

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

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 (SBIRT), can be used effectively … Read more

Understanding How Alcohol Policies Impact Public Health

Supporting research to inform the development and implementation of alcohol policies and to evaluate their effectiveness has been an important priority of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for many years. Alcohol policy represents a broad approach for intervening with alcohol misuse and related problems that can affect all individuals within a … Read more