Disclosed herein are methods for treating alcohol intoxication, alcohol use disorders and alcohol abuse which comprise the administration of dihydromyricetin. As disclosed herein, dihydromyricetin potentiates the activity of GABAARs having the alpha4-beta-delta subunit which is associated with the effects of ethanol, antagonizes the actions of ethanol on the GABAARs, acts on the benzodiazepine sites of GABAARs, and inhibits, reduces and/or reverses some or all of the GABAAR plasticity which is caused by exposure to ethanol.
