Study Finds Access to Medications to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder Hits a Plateau

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is widely prevalent, yet evidence-based medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD)—such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram—remain significantly underutilized. To understand how accessibility has shifted over time, a cross-sectional study published in JAMA Network Open evaluated the national availability of MAUD within substance use disorder treatment facilities.

Key Findings

• A Plateau in Growth: The proportion of treatment facilities offering MAUD experienced an upward trend from 2017 to 2021, but this expansion subsequently plateaued.

• Geographic and Demographic Disparities: Facilities providing MAUD were disproportionately located in metropolitan areas with higher populations and lower percentages of uninsured residents. Conversely, rural and underserved counties continued to experience severe gaps in access.

Implications

Despite guidelines recommending medications as a core component of treatment for AUD, systemic barriers prevent widespread adoption. The study highlights how targeted policies and structural support are needed to expand MAUD availability—particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions—to bridge persistent treatment gaps for individuals struggling with AUD.

The Article

Mizushima, Y., Cantor, J., McBain, R. K., Zhang, F., Burnett, A., Dong, E., Kofner, A., Breslau, J., Stein, B. D., & Yu, H. (2026). Medication Availability for Alcohol Use Disorder in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities. JAMA network open, 9(1), e2551563. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.51563