Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition characterized by a problematic pattern of alcohol use, which results in clinically significant impairment. In the United States, 14% of adults currently meet the criteria for AUD, 29% met AUD criteria once during their lifetime1; in addition, the prevalence of AUD is increasing2. Because of high prevalence and lack of efficient treatment modalities as well as due to association with multiple medical and psychiatric illnesses3,4, AUD causes a significant socioeconomic burden. The annual cost of AUD and alcohol-related disorders is ~$250 billion5. It has been recognized for a long time that damage to the brain inflicted by chronic alcohol use is severe and affects major domains of human life. In accordance to DSM-V, AUD is characterized by pervasive impairment in executive functions including lack of control over drinking, unsuccessful efforts to reduce alcohol intake, recurrent drinking in hazardous situations, etc.
