Mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, administered with yohimbine and alcohol, was safe and well tolerated in individuals with AUD. In a laboratory paradigm comprised by yohimbine administration and alcohol cue-reactivity paradigm, mifepristone significantly reduced self-reported craving in the first alcohol challenge and reduced cue-elicited saliva output in both alcohol challenges. Mifepristone's effect in reducing yohimbine-induced alcohol craving was independent from mifepristone-induced increase of peripheral cortisol level.

Preclinical studies have shown sex-based differences in the reinforcing effects of cannabinoid 1 receptor agonists such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We pooled data (n = 68; 55M, 13F) from two within-subject randomized controlled trials of healthy, ≥weekly cannabis users comparing the subjective and reinforcing effects of smoked active (~25 mg THC) versus placebo cannabis (0 mg THC). Females were more sensitive to certain positive subjective effects of active cannabis, but they were not significantly more likely than males to self-administer active cannabis.

We found that administration of TAAR1 full selective agonist, RO5256390, transiently reduces alcohol consumption in C57BI/6J mice. Furthermore, RO5256390 may attenuate motivation for alcohol seeking in the studied animals. Taken together, TAAR1 agonist are promising drugs for the treatment of alcohol abuse and relapse.

A partial exclusion Cyberball game was applied to male patients with a history of alcohol dependence and non-dependent healthy controls. The patient group showed a distinct dynamic behavioural response to exclusion compared to the control group.