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National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose
An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down. Symptoms of alcohol overdose include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizure, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, dulled responses such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking), and extremely low body temperature. Alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Study shows gene editing may hold promise for reversing effects of adolescent binge drinking
This article was first published in NIAAA Spectrum Volume 14, Issue 3. Gene editing could one day help reverse anxiety and excessive drinking caused by adolescent exposure to alcohol, according to a new study in rats supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). A team of investigators led by NIAAA grantee Subhash C. Pandey, Ph.D., the...

Directors Reports

NIAAA Director's Report on Institute Activities to the 145th Meeting of the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Table of Contents NIAAA BUDGET COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ON ADDICTION AT NIH CRAN UPDATE DIRECTOR'S ACTIVITIES NIAAA WELCOMES NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS STAFF TRANSITIONS HONORS & AWARDS NEW REQUESTS FOR APPLICATIONS AND PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS NOTABLE NIAAA STAFF ACTIVITIES WHAT'S AHEAD NIH RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS NIAAA COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES NIAAA BUDGET Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 NIAAA operated under H.R. 2028, a Continuing Resolution (CR), until...
Medications Development Program

Treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) includes behavioral treatments such as mutual support groups and individual therapy, as well as pharmaceutical treatments. Often these are used in combination. Currently, there are three Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for the treatment of AUD: Disulfiram (Antabuse®) In 1949, disulfiram became the first drug approved to treat alcoholism. The drug works by...

News Release

Naltrexone or Specialized Alcohol Counseling an Effective Treatment for Alcohol Dependence When Delivered with Medical Management
For Release

The medication naltrexone and up to 20 sessions of alcohol counseling by a behavioral specialist are equally effective treatments for alcohol dependence when delivered with structured medical management, according to results from "Combining Medications and Behavioral Interventions for Alcoholism" (The COMBINE Study). Results from the National Institutes of Health-supported study show that patients who received naltrexone, specialized alcohol counseling, or...

News Release

Alcohol Researchers Identify New Medication That Lessens Relapse Risk
For Release

A study in the current Archives of General Psychiatry (Volume 56, pages 719-724) shows that nalmefene, an opioid antagonist that is not now commercially available in the oral form studied, is effective in preventing relapse to heavy drinking in alcohol dependent individuals. Barbara J. Mason, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Miami School of Medicine found from a 12-week...

Overview of Alcohol Consumption

People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people – and throughout history, we’ve struggled to understand and manage alcohol’s power. Why does alcohol cause us to act and feel differently? How much is too much? Why do some people develop alcohol use disorder while others do not? NIAAA is researching these and other...

News Release

Study supports single-question alcohol screen for adolescents
For Release
Findings also endorse use of NIAAA youth screening guide A single screening question about drinking frequency in the past year could help doctors identify adolescents at risk for alcohol problems, according to a new study funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health. Conducted by researchers at the University of...
Alcohol Use Disorder: From Risk to Diagnosis to Recovery
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as “a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress,” and is diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of symptoms, out of a possible 11, in the past 12 months.

News Release

Brain patterns may help predict relapse risk for alcoholism
For Release

Distinct patterns of brain activity are linked to greater rates of relapse among alcohol dependent patients in early recovery, a study has found. The research, supported by the National Institutes of Health, may give clues about which people in recovery from alcoholism are most likely to return to drinking. “Reducing the high rate of relapse among people treated for alcohol...

Directors Reports

NIAAA Director’s Report on Institute Activities to 117th Meeting of the National Advisory Council

CONTENTS A. Legislation, Budget, and Policy B. Director's Activities C. NIAAA Staff and Organization D. Research Priority Emphasis and Core Support Teams E. NIAAA Research Programs F. Scientific Meetings G. Outreach H. Multi-Media Products from NIAAA A. Legislation, Budget, and Policy Substance Abuse Insurance Parity At the end of each year, there is a sunset date for the 1996 Mental...

FY 2002 President's Budget Request for NIAAA - Director's Statement Before the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees

Statement by Enoch Gordis, M.D., Director National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Services I am pleased to present the President's budget request for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for Fiscal Year 2002, a sum of $381,966,000, which reflects an increase of $41,288,000 over the comparable Fiscal...

Risk Factors: Varied Vulnerability to Alcohol-Related Harm
Knowing which patient groups are at greater risk for alcohol-related harm can reinforce your efforts to conduct careful screening, assessment, advising, and referral. Risks for alcohol-related harm vary by a wide range of factors, including your patient’s age, gender, sexual minority status, genes, mental health, and exposure to trauma or other stressors.

News Release

April 5 Marks National Alcohol Screening Day - 1200 Sites To Screen About 50,000 Persons
For Release

Health care professionals at more than 1200 sites stand ready to educate the public about signs and symptoms of alcohol problems during the third annual National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) on Thursday, April 5, 2001. Individuals concerned about their drinking or that of another may access free, confidential screening and research-based alcohol information at college and community health and counseling...

Directors Reports

NIAAA Director's Report on Institute Activities to the 148th Meeting of the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Table of Contents NIAAA BUDGET COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ON ADDICTION AT NIH UPDATE DIRECTOR'S ACTIVITIES STAFF TRANSITIONS HONORS & AWARDS NEW REQUESTS FOR APPLICATIONS AND PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS NOTABLE NIAAA STAFF ACTIVITIES NIAAA RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS NIAAA COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES NIAAA BUDGET Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 NIAAA closed out FY 2017 on September 30, 2017; the final appropriation for NIAAA was $483.4 million. FY...

Advisory Council Minutes

Minutes of the 159th Meeting of the NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM 159th Meeting of the NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM February 10, 2022 The National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) convened for its 159th meeting at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, February 10, 2022, via Zoom videoconference and NIH...
FY 2006 Hearing on Substance Abuse and Mental Health - Deputy Director's Statement Before the House Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations

Statement by Faye J. Calhoun, D.P.A., M.S., Deputy Director National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Services April 27, 2005 Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to update you on the activities ofthe National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). I am Faye Calhoun...

Directors Reports

NIAAA Director's Report on Institute Activities to the 132nd Meeting of the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Table of Contents NIAAA DIRECTOR’S NOTE NIAAA BUDGET NIAAA DIRECTOR'S SEARCH DIRECTOR’S ACTIVITIES STAFF TRANSITIONS STAFF HONORS AND EDITORIAL APPOINTMENTS NEW RFA’S/PA’S NIAAA COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA COVERAGE NOTABLE NIAAA STAFF ACTIVITIES NEW AND UPCOMING PUBLICATIONS WHAT’S AHEAD NIAAA RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS In Memoriam Daniel W. Hommer (1948 ― 2013) Dr. Daniel W. Hommer, M.D., beloved and respected member of the NIAAA...

Advisory Council Minutes

National Advisory Council Meeting - June 4-5, 2008
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NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM Summary of the 118th Meeting June 4-5, 2008 The National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism convened for its 118th meeting at 5:30 p.m. on June 4, 2008, at the FishersLaneConferenceCenter in Rockville, Maryland, in a closed session. Dr. Abraham Bautista presided over the closed review of grant applications. Dr. Ting-Kai...

News Release

Event registration opens for National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week®
For Release

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) announced that event registration begins today for the next National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), to be held Jan. 22-28, 2018. NDAFW is an annual, week-long series of educational events that brings together teens and scientific experts to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about...

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