Overview

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 13-week trial enrolled 384 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder at multiple Swedish research centers.
• Participants receiving the varenicline and bupropion combination experienced roughly twice the reduction in alcohol consumption compared to current approved medications.
• Varenicline alone also yielded measurable decreases in drinking, though its impact was smaller than the combination therapy.
• The combination treatment led to shorter and less frequent nausea episodes than varenicline monotherapy, indicating enhanced tolerability.
• Results bolster the dopamine deficiency hypothesis for alcohol use disorder and point to a promising new treatment pathway pending further study.