Stressful social interactions are a critical risk factor for many psychiatric illnesses, including substance use disorders. Consumption of alcohol to alleviate social stress has a higher likelihood of developing alcohol use disorders (AUD).  Preclinical studies seek to identify mechanisms that can be targeted therapeutically in the treatment of individuals afflicted with comorbid stress and AUD, in a new R01 awarded to Dr. Rajani Maiya titled Kappa Opioid Receptor Modulation of BLA Inputs to the BNST and Stress-Escalated Drinking.