Neurobiology and the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Review of the Evidence Base

• Main Authors: Donato S (Author), Ray LA (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Dove Medical Press, 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1179-8467
• Keywords: alcohol use disorder; aud treatment; substance use disorder; neurobiological models; treatment gap; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, Vol Volume 14, Pp 157-166 (2023)

Suzanna Donato,1 Lara A Ray1- 3 1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 3Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USACorrespondence: Lara A Ray, Shirley M. Hatos Term Chair in Clinical Neuropharmacology, Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, Psychology Department, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, s 90095-1563, USA, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [e-mail]: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern, accounting for a majority of substance use disorder cases in the United States. Treatment for AUD is complex, with multiple intervention points that may be further complicated by genotype and phenotype, resulting in diverse outcomes. In order to better understand the current landscape of AUD treatment, the present review considers different etiological models of AUD and assesses the evidence base of current treatment options. The first section of this review summarizes various etiological models of AUD and presents different approaches to classifying the disorder. Various theories, including neurobiological models, are discussed. The second section presents a comprehensive analysis of available treatment options for AUD, encompassing behavioral and pharmacological interventions and their current evidence base. Finally, this review discusses the ongoing treatment gap and significant factors contributing to low treatment utilization. Together, this review provides an overview of different etiological processes and mechanisms of AUD, as well as summarizes the literature on key treatment approaches. By integrating historical, theoretical, and empirical data, this review aims to inform both researchers and providers with valuable insights to advance AUD treatment approaches and narrow the treatment gap.Keywords: alcohol use disorder, AUD treatment, substance use disorder, neurobiological models, treatment gap