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New research suggests that two medications used for alcohol use disorder may help different people in recovery in different ways, rather than one simply working better than the other.
The findings come from an early-stage animal study, not human testing, but they point toward a more personalized future for medication support in recovery, alongside 12-step meetings, therapy and the other tools that already help many people stay sober.
What the Research Found
Researchers at Vanderbilt University, led by a Brain and Behavior Research Foundation grantee, compared naltrexone with a related medication called nalmefene in mice conditioned to seek alcohol.
Naltrexone is approved in the United States for alcohol use disorder, while nalmefene has approval for AUD in the European Union and used off-label in the U.S. for other purposes.
Across the full group of mice tested, the two medications reduced alcohol consumption about equally well.
The more notable finding was that individual mice tended to respond to one medication or the other, not both.
Roughly 60% of mice responded only to naltrexone, while the remaining 40% responded only to nalmefene, according to the study published in Communications Medicine.
Why This Matters for Recovery
For people in recovery from alcohol use disorder, this research offers an early signal that doctors might have to match medications supporting sobriety with the individual rather than prescribed the same way for everyone.
In other words, if a medication like naltrexone has not worked well for someone in the past, that does not necessarily mean medication support lacks value for them.
It may mean a different medication, working through a different biological pathway, is worth discussing with a doctor.
The research team suggested that with a personalized approach, using the two medications in the right individuals could lead to an additive effect on treatment outcomes, even though they observed no overall difference in effectiveness when tested across the whole group.
The researchers also tested two early ways of predicting which medication might work best for a given individual: a blood-based test that reached 80% accuracy in the mouse model, and a behavioral classification method based on drinking patterns.
Both approaches would need significant further development and testing in humans before they could inform real-world treatment decisions.
AA/Recovery Context
This research remains in its early stages and was conducted in male mice, with the study authors noting a need for similar work in female mice before drawing broader conclusions.
Researchers haven’t yet conducted a head-to-head human clinical trial. Clinicians count medication as one tool among several that can support long-term sobriety, alongside peer support through AA meetings, therapy, and lifestyle changes that reinforce a person’s recovery.
For people already in recovery, this kind of research reminds us that treatment for alcohol use disorder continues to evolve. Having more than one FDA-approved medication option, including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, means multiple paths to what works for a given person.
Staying Sober With Practical Tips
Whether or not medication comprises part of someone’s recovery plan, the fundamentals of long-term sobriety remain the same: consistent peer support, honest conversations with a doctor or sponsor about what actually works, and tools that help build structure into daily life.
Track your progress and milestones with the Sober App alongside meetings and other recovery supports.
Finding AA Meetings and Support
Recovery Resource Callout: Medication for alcohol use disorder works best alongside, not instead of, meetings, therapy, and app-based tracking.
You can search Sober.com’s directory to find AA meetings in your area. Call
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Nikki Wisher is an Atlanta-based content writer with over a decade of experience. She specializes in creating content related to health and wellness, with topics ranging from addiction recovery to fitness to skin care. She also enjoys creating content in many other areas like photography, beauty, and marketing. Her passion project is her inclusive running blog, forallrunners.com.
View ProfileEric Owens is a writer and editor with a bachelor degree in Philosophy, which has helped him with presenting complex information in a simple way that all audiences can understand. He specializes in the mental health and addiction recovery space. He’s also passionate about the environment and has extensive experience in creating content related to sustainability issues
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