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About NIAAA

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Mission Statement

The mission of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is to generate and disseminate fundamental knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being, and apply that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder, across the lifespan.

NIAAA leads the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems by:

  • Conducting and supporting a portfolio of alcohol-related research in a wide range of scientific areas including neuroscience and behavior, epidemiology and prevention, treatment and recovery, and metabolism and health effects
  • Coordinating and collaborating with other research institutes and federal programs on alcohol-related issues
  • Collaborating with international, national, state, and local institutions, organizations, agencies, and programs engaged in alcohol-related work
  • Translating and disseminating research findings to health care providers, researchers, policymakers, and the public

By supporting a broad range of basic, translational, and clinical research, NIAAA aims to: 

  • Better understand the health effects of alcohol misuse across the lifespan
  • Reveal the biological and socio-cultural origins of alcohol misuse
  • Reduce the stigma associated with alcohol problems
  • Develop evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies that address alcohol-related issues across the lifespan
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