Lena Savoie
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is an agency that is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. It is the largest funder of alcohol research in the United States, supporting and conducting biomedical and behavioural research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The NIAAA also functions as a funding agency for external research institutions and as a research institution where alcohol research is carried out in-house. Its mission is to generate and disseminate knowledge about the effects of alcohol on health and well-being and to apply that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder (AUD).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) |
| Founding Date | 31 December 1970 |
| Mission | 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 (AUD) |
| Role | Funding agency and research institution |
| Funding | NIAAA funds approximately 90% of all alcohol research in the United States |
| Research Areas | Neuroscience, genetics, epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and metabolism |
| Leadership | George F. Koob, Ph.D. |
| Publications | Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner's Guide, The Healthcare Professional's Core Resource on Alcohol |
| Website | www.niaaa.nih.gov |
| www.facebook.com/NIAAAgov |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol research funding
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is the largest funder of alcohol research in the United States, funding approximately 90% of all such research in the country. It is part of the US National Institutes of Health and supports and conducts biomedical and behavioural research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
The NIAAA functions as both a funding agency for external research institutions and as a research institution itself, where alcohol research is carried out in-house. Its mission is to generate and disseminate fundamental knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being and to apply that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), across the lifespan.
The NIAAA provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems by conducting and supporting alcohol-related research in a wide range of scientific areas. These include genetics, neuroscience, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. It also coordinates and collaborates with other research institutes, federal programs, and various organisations engaged in alcohol-related work at the international, national, state, and local levels.
The NIAAA has supported research on trends in alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic and has released several resources to help combat alcohol abuse. For example, in 2011, the NIAAA released "Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner's Guide," which introduced a two-question screening tool and a youth alcohol risk estimator to help clinicians overcome barriers to youth alcohol screening. In 2022, the NIAAA released "The Healthcare Professional's Core Resource on Alcohol," which provides concise and thorough information to help busy clinicians integrate alcohol care into their practice. Additionally, in 2023, the NIAAA launched web resources such as "NIAAA for Middle School" and "NIAAA for Teens" and a virtual reality and video experience called "Alcohol and Your Brain" to raise awareness and combat underage drinking.
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Alcohol's adverse health effects
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the largest funder of alcohol research. The NIAAA's mission is to generate and disseminate knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being and to apply that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Alcohol has a wide range of adverse health effects, including both short- and long-term consequences. Here are some of the ways in which alcohol can negatively impact an individual's health:
Effects on the Brain and Nervous System
Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can lead to changes in mood and behaviour and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Alcohol misuse is also linked to peripheral neuropathy, which can cause numbness in the arms and legs and painful burning in the feet.
Increased Cancer Risk
According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a strong scientific consensus that alcohol drinking can cause several types of cancer. The risk of developing alcohol-associated cancer increases with the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption. Head and neck cancers, including oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx cancers, have clear patterns with alcohol consumption. Other types of cancer associated with alcohol consumption include breast cancer, stomach cancer, bowel cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, oesophageal cancer, and
Cardiovascular and Endocrine Issues
Heavy alcohol use can disturb the endocrine system, disrupting the hormones that maintain the body's stability and health. These disturbances can contribute to endocrine-related conditions such as thyroid diseases, abnormal cholesterol levels, reproductive dysfunction, and stress intolerance. Additionally, alcohol misuse can lead to heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, and an increased risk of stroke.
Digestive Problems and Weakened Immune System
Alcohol consumption can cause digestive issues and negatively impact the immune system, increasing the likelihood of getting sick. Liver disease is also a potential consequence of excessive drinking, as the liver is responsible for removing most of the alcohol from the body.
Mental Health Impacts
Alcohol can have significant effects on mental health, including an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. It can also lead to learning and memory problems, relationship issues, and changes in behaviour that can affect personal and professional lives.
It is important to note that the adverse effects of alcohol can vary depending on factors such as the amount consumed, individual health, age, and other variables. However, drinking less alcohol or abstaining can help lower these health risks.
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Alcohol use disorder
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. The NIAAA is the largest funder of alcohol research. Its mission is to generate and spread knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being, and to use that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), across the lifespan.
A person's risk for developing AUD depends in part on how much, how often, and how quickly they consume alcohol. Other factors that increase the risk of AUD include drinking at an early age, genetics and family history of alcohol problems, and mental health conditions and a history of trauma. Research shows that among people ages 26 and older, those who began drinking before age 15 were more likely to report having AUD in the past year compared to those who waited until age 21 or later to start drinking. The risk is higher for females in this group than for males. Genetics play a role, with hereditability accounting for approximately 60%. However, like other chronic health conditions, AUD risk is influenced by the interplay between a person's genes and their environment. Parents' drinking patterns may also influence whether their child will develop AUD. A wide range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are comorbid with AUD.
Health care professionals use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to assess whether a person has AUD and to determine the severity of the disorder. Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (two to three criteria), moderate (four to five criteria), or severe (six or more criteria). To assess a person’s symptoms, a health care provider might ask questions such as whether drinking has interfered with taking care of their home or family, caused job or school troubles, or led to giving up or cutting back on important activities.
Three medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent a return to drinking: naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and disulfiram. These medications are non-addictive and can be used alone or in combination with behavioural treatments or mutual-support groups. Behavioural treatments, also known as alcohol counselling or talk therapy, are provided by licensed therapists and are aimed at changing drinking behaviour. Examples include brief interventions, reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing a return to drinking, and mindfulness-based therapies. Mutual-support groups provide peer support for stopping or reducing drinking and are typically available in most communities at low or no cost, at convenient times and locations.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders, including AUD.
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Alcohol prevention and treatment
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is the largest funder of alcohol research in the United States, funding around 90% of all such research in the country. It is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and supports and conducts biomedical and behavioural research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
The NIAAA's mission is to generate and spread knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being, and to use that knowledge to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related issues, such as alcohol use disorder (AUD), across the lifespan. The institute provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems by conducting and supporting alcohol-related research in a wide range of scientific areas, including neuroscience, genetics, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment.
Alcohol Prevention
The NIAAA works to prevent alcohol misuse and alcohol-related problems through research, collaboration, and the dissemination of information. This includes conducting and supporting research in areas such as neuroscience, genetics, and epidemiology to better understand the causes and consequences of alcohol misuse. The institute also collaborates with other research institutes, federal programs, and local organizations engaged in alcohol-related work to promote the study of substance abuse prevention and the implementation of effective prevention activities.
In addition, the NIAAA has developed resources to help prevent underage drinking, such as the 2011 publication, "Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner's Guide," which introduced a two-question screening tool and a youth alcohol risk estimator to help clinicians overcome barriers to youth alcohol screening. More recently, in 2023, the NIAAA launched web resources specifically for middle school and teen audiences, as well as a virtual reality and video experience called "Alcohol and Your Brain."
Alcohol Treatment
The NIAAA also focuses on improving the treatment of alcohol-related problems. This includes supporting research on the latest trends in alcohol use, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, and providing resources for healthcare professionals to help them integrate evidence-based alcohol care into their practices. For example, in 2022, the NIAAA released "The Healthcare Professional's Core Resource on Alcohol," which provides concise and thorough information on alcohol care for busy clinicians.
The NIAAA also collaborates with other organizations and agencies to improve the delivery and effectiveness of alcohol treatment services. This includes working with international, national, state, and local institutions and programs to share research findings and best practices for alcohol treatment.
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Alcohol research collaboration
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is the largest funder of alcohol research in the United States, funding approximately 90% of all such research in the country. It is part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and supports and conducts biomedical and behavioural research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
NIAAA provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related issues by conducting and supporting alcohol-related research across a wide range of scientific areas. These include genetics, neuroscience, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. The institute also coordinates and collaborates with other research institutes and federal programs on alcohol-related issues. For example, in 2011, NIAAA released Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner's Guide, developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, clinical researchers, and health practitioners. The guide introduced a two-question screening tool and a youth alcohol risk estimator to help clinicians overcome barriers to youth alcohol screening.
The NIAAA also functions as a funding agency, supporting research by external institutions, and as a research institution, where alcohol research is carried out in-house. The institute published Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, an academic journal. Furthermore, it translates and disseminates research findings to healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, and the public. For instance, in 2022, NIAAA released The Healthcare Professional's Core Resource on Alcohol to help healthcare professionals provide evidence-based care for patients who drink alcohol.
NIAAA also collaborates with international, national, state, and local institutions, organisations, agencies, and programs engaged in alcohol-related work. In 2012, the NIH announced the Trans-NIH Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction Functional Integration to enhance the NIH Institute and Center (IC) collaborations around substance use, a significant scientific and public health topic.
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Frequently asked questions
The NIAAA is a US organisation that supports and conducts biomedical and behavioural research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
The NIAAA's mission 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 (AUD), across the lifespan.
The NIAAA also functions as a funding agency, providing support to external research institutions. It also collaborates with other research institutes, federal programs, and organisations engaged in alcohol-related work.
The NIAAA funds approximately 90% of all alcohol research in the United States, making it the largest funder of alcohol research in the country.
In 2022, the NIAAA released The Healthcare Professional's Core Resource on Alcohol to help healthcare professionals provide evidence-based care for patients who drink alcohol. In 2023, the NIAAA launched web resources and a virtual reality experience to raise awareness of and combat underage drinking.
