Quitting alcohol may prime the brain for relapse

Some research suggests that quitting alcohol may actually prime the brain for relapse. A team of scientists found that in mice, abstaining from alcohol led to changes in the activity of a specific brain region called the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). This brain area is already known to be involved in alcohol use disorder symptoms like anxiety and depression.

The study showed that when these abstinent mice were allowed to re-enter a space where alcohol was previously available, they attempted to drink even though the spout only contained water. The more strongly they craved the bitter alcohol, the greater the activity in their BNST. This activity was detected even before the mice were given access to the bitter alcohol.

This finding indicates that screening for BNST activity could potentially identify individuals at risk of relapsing when given access to alcohol. Despite the health benefits, many people underestimate the severity of alcohol misuse in the US. In 2024, alcohol-related deaths were four and a half times higher than those caused by opioids.

Alcohol use disorder affects around 10% of Americans, or nearly 30 million people, yet clinicians struggle to predict who needs help. While there are FDA-approved treatments for alcohol use disorder, over 80% of Americans consume alcohol at some point in their lives, and a significant portion will develop alcohol use disorder. The exact role of the BNST in this behavior and what triggers the increased activity is still unclear.

However, further research on this brain region could lead to new treatment targets and even potential screening methods in clinical trials.