ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation method called Deep TMS can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. About 186 adults will receive either real or fake (sham) stimulation over several weeks. The goal is to see if the real treatm…

This study tests whether taking a probiotic called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for 6 months can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and reduce liver injury. Researchers will compare the probiotic to a placebo in 60 heavy drinkers. The goal is to see if improving…

This study tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can safely help people with severe alcohol use disorder who haven't improved with standard treatments. DBS uses small electrical signals to change brain activity linked to craving and self-control. The study involves 9 adults …

This study tests whether suvorexant, a drug used for insomnia, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and handle stress better. About 250 adults will take the drug or a placebo nightly for 8 weeks. Researchers will track drinking, cravings, and stress responses to s…

This study tests whether starting alcohol use disorder treatment while still in the hospital helps patients stay engaged in care and drink less after they go home. About 450 hospitalized adults with moderate to severe alcohol problems will be randomly assigned to a brief counseli…

This study looks at whether a special ketone drink can change how the brain responds to alcohol cues and reduce drinking in people with alcohol use disorder. Twenty adults who drink heavily but are not seeking treatment will each try the ketone drink and a placebo on separate day…

This study is testing a new treatment called IR-TMS, which uses magnetic fields to target specific brain areas, to help people with Alcohol Use Disorder reduce their drinking. About 150 participants will receive several sessions of this brain stimulation, along with brain scans a…

This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called theta burst stimulation (TBS) to see if it can reduce the urge to drink alcohol and lower heavy drinking days. About 86 adults with alcohol use disorder will receive either real or sham TBS over the front part of …

This study tests whether combining two brain techniques—fMRI neurofeedback (showing brain activity in real time) and TMS (magnetic pulses to the brain)—can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and feel fewer cravings. About 90 adults receiving treatment for alcohol us…

This study tests whether offering specialized alcohol treatment to people newly diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease helps them stop drinking. About 221 adults with early liver damage from heavy drinking will be randomly assigned to either get this treatment or standard c…

This study tests a new therapy called InTEGRA that combines 12-step support with motivational counseling to help teens aged 14-21 reduce alcohol and drug use. About 294 teens with substance use disorder will be randomly assigned to InTEGRA or standard therapy. The goal is to see …

This study tests a new medicine called brenipatide against a placebo in 1100 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder who want to cut down or stop drinking. The goal is to see if the drug safely reduces drinking and cravings over about 56 weeks. Participants will self-…

This study tests whether full-spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) can help people who regularly drink alcohol reduce their drinking. Researchers will measure how many drinks participants choose in a bar-like setting and track their drinking habits over 12 weeks. The goal is to see if CBD …

This study tests whether a weekly injection of tirzepatide can help adults with alcohol use disorder and overweight or obesity drink less. About 42 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo for 8 weeks. The main goal is to see if the drug reduces the number of heavy …

This study tests whether combining a gentle brain stimulation technique (tDCS) with cognitive training can help people with alcohol use disorder stay sober longer. About 40 adults who are already abstinent will receive the paired treatment over several weeks. Researchers will tra…

This study tests whether tirzepatide, a drug already approved for weight management, can help people with alcohol use disorder and related liver disease drink less and improve liver health. About 120 adults aged 21 and older will receive weekly injections of tirzepatide or a plac…

This study tests whether tirzepatide, a drug approved for diabetes and obesity, can help people with both schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder drink less. About 108 participants will receive either tirzepatide or a placebo for 16 weeks, and researchers will track changes in hea…

This study tests whether psilocybin or ketamine, combined with talk therapy, can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. Eighty adults who have at least 4 heavy drinking days per month will receive either psilocybin or ketamine in a controlled setting…

This study tests whether a natural hormone called pregnenolone can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 150 adults will take either pregnenolone or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. The main goal is to see if more people can avoid heavy drinking days while taking t…

This study tests whether guanfacine, a medicine used for high blood pressure, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 200 adults who want to quit drinking will take the drug or a placebo for 12 weeks, all through telehealth. Researchers will track drinking day…

This study tests whether semaglutide, a medication used for diabetes and weight loss, can safely reduce alcohol drinking in people with alcohol use disorder. About 67 adults will receive either semaglutide or a placebo shot weekly for 20 weeks, along with behavioral therapy and b…

This study tests a computer-based training called Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) for veterans with alcohol use disorder. The training aims to change unconscious urges to approach alcohol-related cues. Researchers will measure if adding AAT to standard care reduces heavy drinki…

This early-stage study tests a new drug called NTX-2001 in 50 adults with Alcohol Use Disorder. Participants take the drug or a placebo daily for 2 weeks to see if it reduces drinking and is safe. The goal is to find a new way to help control alcohol consumption.

This study tests a new drug called CMND-100 in healthy volunteers and people with alcohol use disorder. The goal is to find a safe dose and see if it helps reduce drinking and cravings. About 84 adults aged 18-60 will participate. The drug is not a cure but may help control the u…

This study tests a new program called B-FIT, which adds family support via telehealth to standard therapy for veterans with alcohol use disorder. About 400 veterans and a family member or friend will take part. The goal is to see if involving a loved one helps veterans drink less…

This study tests whether a smartphone app can help people in Michigan on Medicaid who are recovering from both opioid and alcohol use disorders. Participants use the app to complete check-ins and earn rewards for staying on track. The goal is to see if this digital approach is pr…

This study looks at whether citicoline, an over-the-counter supplement, can help teens and young adults (ages 16-22) who drink alcohol. Researchers will measure changes in brain inflammation, brain chemicals, and thinking skills like attention and impulse control. Participants wi…

This study tests whether a modified ketogenic (low-carb, high-fat) diet can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Researchers will track 50 participants' diet adherence and alcohol intake over time. The goal is to see if changing what you eat can reduce cravings and a…

This study tests whether the drug apremilast can help reduce cravings for alcohol in people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. Researchers will compare two different doses of the drug against a placebo over several weeks. The goal is to see if it helps people drink les…

This study tests whether a smartphone app called CHESS Health Connections can help people with alcohol-related liver disease stop drinking. About 298 participants will either get usual care or usual care plus the app, and researchers will track their drinking over 6 months. The g…

This study tests a short, computer-based relapse prevention program for 150 adults with HIV and alcohol use disorder. Participants will receive two sessions designed to help them avoid returning to risky drinking. The goal is to see if the program helps people stay alcohol-free l…

This study is testing whether a medication called donepezil, combined with cognitive training (brain exercises), can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less heavily. The study involves 160 adults who currently have heavy drinking days. Participants will receive either th…

This study tests a computer training program designed to change unconscious habits that may keep alcohol use disorder going. Researchers will compare a standard version of the training, an enhanced version that adds a planning strategy, and a fake version. 112 adults receiving ca…

This study tests a medicine called brenipatide to see if it helps adults with alcohol use disorder drink less and reduce cravings. About 1,100 people will take either the drug or a placebo for 56 weeks. The goal is to find a safe, effective treatment to help people cut down or st…

This study looks at whether cannabidiol (CBD) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and feel fewer cravings. About 36 adults who drink heavily will take CBD and a placebo at different times to compare effects. The goal is to see if CBD can be a new tool to help con…

This study is testing if a monthly injection of naltrexone helps people who drink primarily for pleasure (reward drinkers) reduce heavy drinking more than a placebo shot. About 60 adults with alcohol use disorder will receive either the active medication or a placebo injection fo…

This study tests whether capsules containing bacteria from healthy people can safely reduce alcohol cravings and drinking in adults with alcohol-related liver disease and cirrhosis. About 80 participants will receive either the bacteria capsules or a placebo, and researchers will…

This study tests a self-guided digital therapy program called RITch®CBT, which uses an avatar to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction. It involves 40 men with substance use disorders and recent relationship conflict. The goal is to see if this at-home program reduce…

This study tests a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group designed specifically for women veterans who have alcohol use disorder or risky drinking habits. About 162 women will take part, meeting in a VA primary care setting to learn coping skills and reduce alcohol-related harm…

This early-stage study tests spironolactone, a drug used for high blood pressure, in 20 adults with alcohol use disorder. Participants stay at a clinic for four week-long visits, taking the drug or a placebo, and then drink alcohol under supervision to measure how the drug affect…

This study tests whether a drug that blocks orexin, a brain chemical linked to motivation, can reduce the desire to drink alcohol in people with Alcohol Use Disorder. Thirty adults who binge drink but are not seeking treatment will take the drug or a placebo and then choose betwe…

This study tests whether immersive virtual reality nature scenes can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with alcohol use disorder who are in an intensive outpatient program. About 50 participants will either receive standard care or add 12 VR nature sessions. The go…

This study looks at whether a supervised physical activity program can improve sleep quality in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers will enroll 40 adults who have sleep problems and drink heavily. Participants will take part in exercise sessions and track their sleep us…

This study explores whether adding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to ketamine treatment is practical for people with both alcohol use disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Researchers will enroll 30 participants to see if they can stick with the combined treatment…

This study tests a small device that sends mild electrical pulses to a nerve in the ear to help people with alcohol use disorder manage withdrawal symptoms. Twenty adults will wear the device for 5 days during detox, and half will receive a placebo version. Researchers will measu…

This study looks at whether having motivational conversations every two weeks for four months after leaving the hospital can help people with alcohol addiction stay sober longer. About 104 adults who have completed alcohol withdrawal in the hospital will be split into two groups:…

This study tests whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Researchers will use brain scans to see how psilocybin changes the brain's response to alcohol cues and negative emotions. 200 adults will receive …

This study tests whether a single dose of insulin given as a nasal spray can reduce cravings and the effects of alcohol in people with alcohol use disorder. Forty non-treatment-seeking adults will receive either insulin or a placebo spray, then be exposed to alcohol-related cues …

This study tests whether a short, virtual cognitive remediation therapy (called ABCR) can help young people aged 16-30 with early psychosis reduce their alcohol and cannabis use. Participants will complete 16 sessions over 2 months. The goal is to see if improving thinking skills…

This study tests whether a ketone supplement drink can reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms in 30 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder during a 4-day hospital stay. Researchers will compare how much benzodiazepine medication participants need when given the ketone dr…

This study is for people who have both an anxiety disorder and an alcohol use disorder. It tests whether a computer-based therapy can help reduce heavy drinking and improve anxiety symptoms. The program is designed to be easy to access and use, potentially helping many more peopl…

This study tests whether combining two types of therapy—cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for PTSD and relapse prevention (RP) for alcohol use—works better than relapse prevention alone. Researchers will enroll 200 adults with both PTSD and alcohol use disorder to see if the com…

This study tests a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve to help veterans with alcohol use disorder. The goal is to reduce withdrawal-related distress, cravings, and improve quality of life. Eighty veterans will receive the stimulation and be monitored for changes i…

This early-phase study tests whether disulfiram (Antabuse), a drug used for alcohol use disorder, can improve vision in people with retinal degeneration (including retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and dry age-related macular degeneration). Researchers believe the drug may…

This study looks at how impulsivity and how people feel when drinking alcohol are connected in young adults aged 21-25. Researchers will track 250 participants using lab tests and daily surveys to understand these factors better. The goal is to find new ways to prevent and treat …

This study screens up to 10,000 people aged 18-99, with or without substance or alcohol use disorders, to see if they qualify for other NIDA research studies. The goal is to understand why people use drugs, stop using them, or never start, and to develop better treatments. Partic…

This study aims to find biological clues that predict alcohol use disorders in young adults with bipolar disorder. Researchers will use brain scans and alcohol response tests to track 100 people aged 21-26 over two years. No treatment is given; the goal is to understand risk fact…

This study looks at how alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects a person's sense of taste and smell. Researchers will compare people with and without AUD using taste tests, smell tests, and brain scans. The goal is to understand the link between alcohol drinking and sensory changes. N…

This study is testing a new blood test to see if it can help doctors tell the difference between depression and schizophrenia, and predict which treatments will work best. Researchers will collect blood samples and mental health surveys from 500 adults over three visits. The goal…

This study looks at why alcohol use disorder is increasing faster in women than men. Researchers will measure brain activity, hormone levels, and drinking behavior in 100 adults to find sex-specific risk factors. The goal is to develop better prevention and treatment strategies t…

This study looks at how stress and oral health habits relate to inflammation in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers will test a new questionnaire about dental care and collect saliva, blood, and dental exam data from 72 participants. The goal is to better understa…

This study looks at how different environments and activities—like virtual reality, games, or watching videos—affect drinking urges and mental health in people with alcohol use disorder. About 44 adults will take part in up to 10 visits, using an app to track their mood and drink…

This study is for 400 adults with alcohol or cannabis use disorder who are willing to try group therapy. Researchers will measure thinking skills, motivation, and emotions before and during 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy. The goal is to see how these brain functions rel…

This study looks at a brain protein called PDE4B in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to see if PDE4B levels change during withdrawal and after a few weeks of not drinking. About 30 adults will have two PET brain scans and possibly an MRI. The goal is to learn mo…

This study looks at how men and women differ in their response to two weeks of not drinking alcohol. Researchers will measure alcohol intake, brain activity, and personal feelings after the break. The goal is to use this information to create better prevention and treatment strat…

This study tests whether a special type of therapy that focuses on a person's self-concept and memories can help people with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking. Sixty adults will be randomly assigned to either receive four therapy sessions plus standard care, or standard …

This study aims to create simple computer tasks that measure thinking, motivation, and decision-making in people with alcohol use disorders. Researchers will use MRI scans to see how the brain works during these tasks. The goal is to develop reliable tools for future studies, not…

This study is testing a new version of a counseling approach called Motivational Enhancement Therapy, specially adapted for Deaf adults who use American Sign Language (ASL). The goal is to see if the program, called DeafMET, is practical and helpful in motivating people to change…

This study looks at how anxiety changes in people with alcohol use disorder when they stop drinking. Researchers will use brain scans (fMRI) to see which brain areas are involved. They will study 60 adults—some with alcohol problems and some healthy—to track anxiety and brain act…

This study looks at how sleep habits and stressful life events influence alcohol use in 90 young adults aged 18-24 who are heavy drinkers. Researchers will measure brain activity, stress hormones, and drinking patterns over time. The goal is to find ways to prevent alcohol proble…

This study tests whether a short, tailored alcohol intervention is practical and well-liked by people who are taking buprenorphine for opioid use and also drink alcohol. About 60 adults will try the program for four weeks. The goal is to see if this approach could work in a large…

This study looks at how drinking too much and having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to violence between partners. Researchers will watch 70 couples in a lab and track their daily lives for 28 days. The goal is to understand these links better, not to test a treatme…

This study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can safely change brain activity in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers will use brain scans to see if the ultrasound reduces the brain's response to alcohol-related cues. The goal is to gather information…

This study looks at how a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS affects brain activity in people who drink heavily and those who don't. Researchers will use MEG brain scans to measure these effects in 10 participants. The goal is to gather information that could hel…

This study compares two ways to help people who drink too much: a brief chat with a health educator versus using an app on a phone. About 1,200 adults in Mexico and South Africa who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use will take part. Researchers want to see if the app wor…

This study looks at how the drug acamprosate changes brain activity in people with alcohol use disorder. About 48 adults will take either the drug or a placebo for 21 days while staying in the clinic. Researchers will use EEG caps to measure brain waves before and after treatment…

This study looks at whether having a trained peer recovery specialist in the emergency room helps people with substance use disorders connect to treatment and support. About 400 adults who visit the ER for substance-related issues will be followed for 6 months. Researchers will c…

This study looks at medical records of 20 adults who had bariatric surgery and later received treatment for alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to understand how the surgery was considered during addiction follow-up. The goal is to improve care for patients with both condition…

This study follows up to 7,500 adults with and without alcohol use disorder to collect health, genetic, and brain imaging data. It aims to better understand the condition and identify participants for future treatment studies. Participants may join as healthy volunteers, those no…

This study looks at how alcohol changes a brain protein called PDE4B, which may be linked to alcohol use disorder. Healthy social drinkers aged 21-70 will have brain scans before and after receiving alcohol. The goal is to understand how alcohol affects this protein, which could …

This study is testing whether vividly imagining positive personal future events can help people with alcohol use disorder make better long-term choices and increase their interest in treatment. Researchers will compare two groups—one using high-intensity future imagery and one us…

This study aims to understand if a blood marker that shows recent alcohol use can help predict how patients recover after surgery. Researchers will measure this marker in adults having planned surgery who are expected to stay in the hospital for at least three days. The goal is t…