Alcohol use disorder (AUD) already has three FDA-approved medications, and research right now is opening up some genuinely new directions, including drugs originally built for diabetes and weight loss. Here's what's approved today and what's currently being studied.
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Alcohol use disorder treatment options available right now
Right now, three medications are FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder.
The first is disulfiram. It's actually the oldest one, approved all the way back in 1951. It works by making you feel sick if you drink any alcohol while taking it, so it discourages drinking rather than reducing the urge to drink in the first place.
The next option is naltrexone, approved in 1994. There's also a once-a-month injectable version, called Vivitrol, that came later in 2006. Naltrexone works by blocking the "reward" feeling that alcohol normally gives you, so drinking just feels less satisfying.
The third is acamprosate, approved in 2004. It works differently by helping to calm down brain chemistry that gets thrown off balance by long-term drinking, which can make cravings easier to manage.
All three are real, medically proven treatment options. Needing medication doesn't mean someone has "failed" at recovery on their own, and staying on one of these long-term is completely normal.
What researchers are studying now
One of the most talked-about areas of AUD research right now involves GLP-1 medications, the same class of drugs used for diabetes and weight loss.
In a large trial, people who took a weekly dose of semaglutide had 41% fewer heavy-drinking days over 26 weeks compared to people who took a placebo. A newer, smaller trial published in July 2026 tested a pill version of semaglutide over 8 weeks, and found that 81% of people taking it improved their drinking-risk level, compared to just 54% of those on placebo.
A related drug called tirzepatide is also being studied specifically for AUD. Researchers want to know whether it helps reduce drinking in adults who have AUD and are also overweight or living with obesity.
Common myths about AUD
AUD is often misunderstood, and a couple of persistent myths are worth clearing up.
It's not just a matter of willpower. AUD involves real, measurable changes in brain chemistry, and genetics play a substantial role. Research suggests roughly half of someone's risk for AUD comes down to genetics, not choices they made.
You don't have to hit a crisis point before getting help. Earlier support tends to lead to better outcomes, and waiting for things to get worse isn't a requirement for treatment to work.
How to find an AUD study
You can search alcohol use disorder studies on our platform, filter by location, and see whether you meet the basic criteria before applying. The process usually takes a few minutes, and a coordinator follows up afterward to walk you through next steps.
For example, a Phase 2 trial at USC is currently recruiting adults with AUD who are also overweight or living with obesity, to see whether tirzepatide helps reduce drinking.
Common questions
What is Alcohol Use Disorder? Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a health condition in which drinking becomes hard to control, even when a person wants to cut back or knows it's affecting their life. Regular alcohol use can reshape how the brain processes reward and stress over time, and factors like genetics, mental health, and personal circumstances all influence how the condition develops.
Is my information kept private if I join an AUD clinical trial? Yes. Clinical trials are bound by strict confidentiality rules, and your participation stays between you and the research team. It isn't shared with employers or made part of any public record.
What if I've already tried medication and it hasn't worked for me? Many current studies, including the semaglutide and tirzepatide trials above, are specifically looking for people whose current medication isn't fully working for them.
Do I need to stop drinking before I can join a study? It depends on the study. Some are designed for people actively trying to cut back or quit, while others look for people who haven't yet started treatment. Each study lists its own criteria.
Does AUD affect more than drinking itself? Yes. AUD is linked to a higher risk of liver disease, heart disease, several types of cancer, and commonly occurs alongside depression or anxiety. If you're managing AUD, it's worth talking to your doctor about your overall health.
Is alcohol addiction genetic? Yes, in part. Research suggests genetics account for roughly half of someone's risk of developing AUD, similar to how genetics influence risk for conditions like heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Environment, stress, and life experiences play a role too. Having a family history doesn't guarantee AUD, and not having one doesn't rule it out.