A new study from scientists at Scripps Research suggests that a drug already approved by the FDA to treat inflammation could help people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) by reducing both alcohol cravings and pain sensitivity.
The findings were published on April 22, 2025, in the journal JCI Insight.
The drug, called apremilast, is currently used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It works by blocking an enzyme involved in inflammation. The new study shows that it could also be helpful for people who struggle with AUD, especially those who experience pain during or after drinking.
Alcohol use disorder affects about 400 million people aged 15 and older worldwide. One major reason people relapse after trying to quit alcohol is pain—especially a condition called mechanical allodynia, where even light touches feel painful. This kind of pain can continue even during alcohol withdrawal and make quitting much harder.
Dr. Marisa Roberto, senior author of the study and a professor of neuroscience at Scripps Research, explained that their results show apremilast could help reduce both drinking and pain during long-term recovery, which is key to treating AUD.
In the study, researchers tested the drug in two types of rats: one that was genetically prone to drink more alcohol and one standard type. Both male and female rats were included. The rats were given access to alcohol and treated with either apremilast or a placebo.
The drug lowered alcohol intake in both types of rats and across both sexes. It also reduced pain sensitivity, both right after drinking and during withdrawal periods ranging from one day to four weeks.
However, the effects were not the same in all rats. For example, in some male rats, apremilast did not reduce pain, which highlights the need to consider biological sex in future research.
Another part of the study looked at what was happening in the brain. The researchers found that apremilast increased calming brain signals in a region called the central amygdala, which is important in addiction and pain processing. This effect was seen only in the standard strain of rats, suggesting that the drug’s impact might depend on genetics.
They also discovered that alcohol increased the activity of certain genes related to inflammation in the brain, especially in male rats. This supports the idea that inflammation may be a key link between alcohol use, pain, and the urge to drink again.
While other drugs that block this enzyme have been studied for pain, apremilast could be a unique option for people dealing with both AUD and pain. Still, human trials are needed to confirm these benefits.
The researchers plan to keep studying whether apremilast can also reduce anxiety and emotional distress during alcohol withdrawal. According to Roberto, emotional pain is another major reason people relapse, and treating both physical and mental symptoms is crucial for recovery.
These results point to the possibility of using apremilast as a personalized treatment option for people struggling with both alcohol dependence and chronic pain.
If you care about alcoholism, please read studies that your age may decide whether alcohol is good or bad for you, and people over 40 need to prevent dangerous alcohol/drug interactions.
For more information about alcohol, please see recent studies about moderate alcohol drinking linked to high blood pressure, and results showing this drug combo shows promise for treating alcoholism.
The study is published in JCI Insight.
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