Alcohol use disorder is a serious health problem that affects millions of people around the world. In the United States alone, nearly 29 million people struggle with this condition, and excessive drinking contributes to more than 140,000 deaths each year.
People with alcohol use disorder often find it very difficult to stop drinking even when alcohol is harming their health, relationships, and work. In addition to physical damage to the liver and heart, long-term heavy drinking can also affect the brain, leading to problems with memory, attention, decision-making, and self-control.
These cognitive problems can make recovery even harder because they interfere with a person’s ability to plan, focus, and resist cravings.
Doctors currently have only a few medications to help treat alcohol use disorder, and many of them are only moderately effective or have unpleasant side effects. Because of this, scientists are searching for better treatment options that are both safe and effective.
A new study from researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine offers hope by suggesting that a medication already used for another condition may also help people reduce harmful drinking.
The medication is called guanfacine. It is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, especially in children and teenagers.
Guanfacine works by affecting certain chemical signals in the brain that are involved in attention, impulse control, and stress responses. Researchers wondered whether these same brain systems might also play a role in alcohol addiction.
To investigate this idea, scientists conducted experiments using models that mimic heavy drinking behavior. Over several weeks, the subjects were given regular access to alcohol to create patterns similar to human alcohol dependence.
The researchers then tested how two drugs affected drinking behavior: guanfacine and another older drug called clonidine. Both medications act on the same type of brain receptors, known as alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, which influence stress and self-control pathways.
The results were encouraging. Guanfacine significantly reduced heavy alcohol consumption without causing strong side effects. In contrast, clonidine also reduced drinking but caused serious problems such as sedation and a dangerous drop in body temperature.
Importantly, guanfacine did not reduce normal reward-seeking behavior, meaning it did not make the subjects uninterested in food or other pleasant activities. This suggests the drug specifically targeted alcohol consumption rather than dampening all enjoyment.
The researchers also looked at how the drug affected thinking and memory. During alcohol withdrawal, guanfacine improved performance on tasks that required planning and decision-making, which are controlled by a brain area called the prefrontal cortex.
This part of the brain is responsible for self-control, problem-solving, and flexible thinking, and it is often weakened by long-term alcohol use. The improvement in these skills suggests that guanfacine may help restore brain function damaged by heavy drinking.
Further analysis showed that chronic alcohol use overstimulates brain systems that produce a chemical called norepinephrine, which is linked to stress and alertness. This overactivity may contribute to compulsive drinking and poor cognitive function.
Guanfacine appears to calm this system, helping to rebalance brain activity. By reducing stress signals and improving control over behavior, the drug may make it easier for people to cut down on alcohol.
One of the most promising aspects of this research is that guanfacine is already approved for medical use. This means it has been tested for safety and could potentially move into clinical trials for alcohol use disorder more quickly than a completely new drug.
However, the current findings come from experimental models, and studies in humans are still needed to confirm whether the same benefits will occur in people struggling with addiction.
In reviewing the study, the findings suggest that targeting brain systems involved in stress and impulse control may be an effective strategy for treating alcohol addiction.
The research also highlights the importance of addressing cognitive problems, not just drinking behavior, because improving thinking and decision-making could support long-term recovery.
While the results are promising, experts caution that more research is necessary to determine the best dosage, long-term safety, and effectiveness in diverse patient groups. If future clinical trials confirm these benefits, guanfacine or similar medications could become valuable tools in helping people regain control over their drinking and rebuild their lives.
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 eNeuro.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
