In a recent study published in the journal PLoS ONE , researchers investigated the effects of alcohol consumption and short-term abstinence on gut dysbiosis in individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Their case-control study evaluated the gut microbiota and metabolome of three cohorts comprising newly abstinent, currently drinking, and BMI-matched healthy controls. Study findings surprisingly reveal that AUD patients seeking treatment for their condition and abstaining from alcohol consumption for at least six weeks presented the most distinct gut microbiota and metabolome composition, significantly higher in lipid super-pathway derived metabolites than the other two cohorts.
Contrasting previous studies that noted improvements in gut microbial assemblages following alcohol abstinence, the current study highlights the potential long-term effects of alcohol abuse despite short-term absence. Furthermore, abstinence was found to be associated with substantially higher mental distress compared to currently drinking AUD participants. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic behavioral condition characterized by uncontrolled alcohol consumption due to both emotional and physical dependence on the intoxicant.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines the condition as "a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress" and includes both binge drinking (>4 drinks in under 2 hours or blood alcohol concentra.