BYU Study Links Immune System to Alcohol Addiction

A groundbreaking study from Brigham Young University suggests that the immune system may play a previously underestimated role in alcohol addiction.

These findings that could eventually lead to new treatment options for the millions of men, women and youth struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

For now, anyone dependent on alcohol should know that medically supervised detox remains the only safe way to stop drinking.

Why Medical Detox Matters for Alcohol Use Disorder

According to a 2024 U.S. national survey, 11.8% of males and 7.6% of females ages 12 and older met the criteria for AUD in 2023. AUD is characterized by an inability to stop or control alcohol use despite serious consequences to health and relationships.

What makes alcohol particularly dangerous is what happens when heavy drinkers stop. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.

Unlike most other substances, abrupt cessation from alcohol can trigger seizures, a condition called delirium tremens (DT), dangerous spikes in blood pressure and even death.

This is why attempting alcohol detox at home, without medical supervision, is never safe for someone who has become physically dependent.

Inpatient detox programs provide around-the-clock monitoring and medications, typically benzodiazepines like lorazepam or diazepam, to prevent and manage severe withdrawal symptoms. This is the clinical standard of care.

The New Research: Where the Immune System Comes In

The BYU study, published by researchers across three departments in the College of Life Sciences and the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences, is the first to investigate whether neuroimmune mechanisms, the interaction between the nervous system and immune system, are involved in alcohol consumption and reward.

The research team focused on CD5, a protein found on white blood cells. Using a mouse model in which CD5 was genetically disabled (a “knockout” model), researchers found that mice without functioning CD5 drank significantly less alcohol than those with it.

The mechanism appears to involve the brain’s reward circuitry, specifically how immune cells interact with dopamine and GABA signaling.

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, while GABA is the brain’s primary inhibitory, or “calming,” neurotransmitter.

Alcohol doesn’t directly increase dopamine production; instead, it suppresses GABA activity, which indirectly allows dopamine levels to rise, reinforcing the desire to drink.

“We found there was less of an alcohol reward in the mice population that had CD5 removed,” said co-author Scott Weber, a BYU professor of microbiology and molecular biology.

If researchers can identify the exact mechanism, the team believes an immunotherapy could one day be developed to reduce alcohol’s rewarding effects and help break the addictive cycle.

What This Means for Alcohol Treatment

It’s important to be clear: this research is preclinical, meaning it was conducted in animal models and has not yet been tested in humans.

No immunotherapy treatment for AUD is currently available. The path from mouse model to approved human therapy is long and uncertain.

Today, there are only three FDA-approved medications for AUD, and all target addiction through the brain rather than the immune system.

These include naltrexone (which blocks the rewarding effects of alcohol), acamprosate (which reduces cravings by stabilizing brain chemistry), and disulfiram (which causes unpleasant reactions when alcohol is consumed).

These medications are part of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), the evidence-based approach to treating addiction with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.

This new line of neuroimmune research doesn’t replace those treatments — but it does expand our understanding of why some people are more vulnerable to alcohol addiction than others, and it may eventually give clinicians new tools.

“Addiction represents a set of disorders that are remarkably difficult to overcome, and new treatment options are sorely needed,” said first author Andrew Payne.

Current Levels of Medical Detox Care

For individuals currently struggling with alcohol dependence, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) outlines a spectrum of care:

Level 4 — Medically-Managed Intensive Inpatient: Hospital-level care for individuals at high risk of severe withdrawal, including seizures or delirium tremens. Continuous medical monitoring and IV medications are available.

Level 3.7 — Medically-Monitored Inpatient: Around-the-clock nursing and physician oversight in a residential setting, appropriate for moderate-to-severe alcohol withdrawal.

Level 3.2 — Clinically-Managed Residential: Lower-intensity residential care, more appropriate after the acute medical phase has passed and the person is medically stable.

The appropriate level depends on your history of alcohol use, prior withdrawal experiences and any dual diagnosis symptoms. A physician or addiction specialist can help determine the right starting point.

Finding Medical Detox for Alcohol Use Disorder

If you or someone you love is physically dependent on alcohol, the most important first step is connecting with a medically supervised detox program. Do not stop drinking abruptly without medical guidance.

Detox.com offers a list of detox centers start receiving treatment today. Specialists can help you understand your options, verify insurance coverage, and find the level of care that matches your needs. You can also call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) for additional support.

Medical Safety Callout: Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. Symptoms including tremors, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures can begin within 6–24 hours of the last drink in physically dependent individuals.

Medical detox with trained clinical staff and appropriate medications is the only safe way to stop drinking for someone who is alcohol-dependent. Never attempt alcohol detox at home.