ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

This study is testing whether a drug 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 the drug…

This study tests whether a virtual reality experience can help people in early recovery from alcohol use disorder drink less and stay sober longer. Researchers will compare a VR group to a control group and measure abstinence, future thinking, and decision-making. The study invol…

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 either the drug or a placebo nightly for 8 weeks. Researchers will track drinking habits, cravings, and stress …

This study tests whether combining fMRI neurofeedback (real-time brain activity monitoring) with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help people being treated for alcohol use disorder. Over 4 weekly sessions, participants receive one or both interventions, then are follow…

This study tests an adaptive web-based program called Partners Connect for military couples. It aims to reduce drinking in concerned partners and encourage service members to seek help for alcohol use. About 744 couples will be assigned to either the online program or standard we…

This early-phase study tests whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can help reduce alcohol use in adults who have had weight-loss surgery and also struggle with alcohol use disorder. Ten participants will take the medication for three months and be follow…

This study is testing whether cannabidiol (CBD) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and feel fewer cravings. Thirty-six adults will try both CBD and a placebo in random order, with a two-week break in between. The goal is to see if CBD can be a safe, new option t…

This study tests a computer-based training program, called Approach Avoidance Training, for veterans with alcohol use disorder. The training aims to change automatic urges to approach alcohol. Researchers will see if adding this training to standard care helps veterans drink less…

This study tests whether guanfacine, a drug currently used for high blood pressure, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Two hundred adults who want to quit drinking will take either guanfacine or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers will track drinking habits, st…

This study tests if a computer-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy can help people who have both an anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder. The goal is to reduce heavy drinking and delay relapse. If effective, this program could be widely available at low cost. The study en…

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 use the app for up to 6 months alongside their usual care. The goal is to see if the app increases days without …

This study tests whether pairing a gentle electrical brain stimulation (tDCS) with computer-based cognitive training can help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer. About 40 participants who are already sober and in a residential program will receive the combined…

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 two weeks to see if it reduces drinking and is safe. The goal is to find a new treatment option for people who struggle with alcohol.

This study tests a new therapy called InTEGRA for teens aged 14-21 with alcohol or cannabis use disorder. It combines two proven approaches—12-step support and motivational therapy—to see if it helps teens stay abstinent longer and reduce substance-related problems. About 294 par…

This study tests a brief family-involved treatment (B-FIT) delivered via telehealth for veterans with alcohol use disorder. About 400 veterans and a family member or friend will take part. The goal is to see if adding B-FIT to standard therapy helps reduce drinking and improve fa…

This study tests an investigational drug called brenipatide against a placebo in 1100 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder who want to cut down or stop drinking. Participants will receive injections and be followed for about 56 weeks to see if the drug reduces drin…

This study tests whether starting alcohol use disorder treatment during a hospital stay helps people stay engaged in care and drink less after leaving. About 450 adults hospitalized at Yale New Haven Hospital who have moderate to severe alcohol use disorder will be randomly assig…

This study tests whether a new therapy that combines rewards for staying sober with problem-solving skills can help young adults (ages 18-24) with alcohol use disorder quit drinking. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the new therapy or standard rewards alone, and …

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

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 to 60 will take part.

This study tests whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help people reduce or stop drinking. Researchers will use brain scans and questionnaires to understand how psilocybin affects cravings and drinking behavior. The trial involves 200 adults with alco…

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. The goal is to see i…

This study tests spironolactone, a drug used for high blood pressure, in 20 adults with alcohol use disorder. Participants stay at a clinic for four 7-day periods, taking the drug or a placebo, and then drink alcohol under supervision. The goal is to see how the body handles the …

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. About 60 heavy drinkers with alcohol-related liver disease will receive either LGG or a placebo. The goal…

This study tests a program called Kisoboka for men living with HIV who drink heavily in fishing communities. The goal is to help them drink less, take their HIV medication as prescribed, and reach undetectable viral loads. About 716 men will take part and be followed for 12 month…

This study tests whether a drug called apremilast can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. About 100 adults will take either a low dose, a high dose, or a placebo pill daily for several weeks. Researchers will measure cravings, drinking habits, and…

This study tests whether brexpiprazole, a medication that balances brain chemicals, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Researchers will also check if a specific gene (DAT1) makes the drug work better for some people. The study involves 250 adults who are not se…

This study tests a computer program designed to change unconscious habits that keep alcohol use disorder going. 112 people getting care for alcohol use disorder will try one of three versions of the training. The goal is to see if adding a planning step makes the training more ef…

This study tests whether a natural hormone called pregnenolone can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 150 adults who drink heavily at least 3 times a week will take either pregnenolone or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Researchers will track heavy drinking day…

This study looks at whether full-spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) can help people who drink alcohol regularly cut back. Researchers will give CBD to 150 adults aged 21-65 and track their drinking habits over 12 weeks. The goal is to see if CBD reduces the number of drinks people have a…

This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation device called Deep TMS to see if it can reduce heavy drinking in people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. About 186 adults aged 18-86 will receive either real or fake (sham) stimulation over several weeks. The goal is …

This study tests whether a weekly injection of tirzepatide (a drug used for diabetes and weight loss) can reduce heavy drinking and improve health in 42 adults who have both alcohol use disorder and overweight or obesity. Participants will receive either tirzepatide or a placebo …

This study tests whether a modified ketogenic diet (a low-carb, high-fat diet) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Researchers will track 50 participants' adherence to the diet and measure changes in alcohol consumption and cravings. The goal is to see if this d…

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 a brief, virtual cognitive remediation therapy (called Action-Based Cognitive Remediation) can help young people aged 16-30 with early psychosis reduce their alcohol and cannabis use. The therapy involves 16 sessions over 2 months, focusing on improving t…

This study tests a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve (a key nerve connecting the brain and body) to help veterans with alcohol use disorder. The goal is to reduce withdrawal-related distress and cravings, and improve quality of life. About 80 veterans will recei…

This study tests whether a ketone supplement drink can reduce withdrawal symptoms in people with alcohol use disorder during a 4-day detox. Thirty adults will receive either the ketone drink or a placebo. The main goal is to see if the supplement lowers the amount of benzodiazepi…

This study tests whether a therapy that combines PTSD treatment with alcohol relapse prevention works better than alcohol treatment alone. 200 adults with both PTSD and alcohol use disorder will receive either the combined therapy or standard alcohol-focused therapy. Researchers …

This study looks at whether having regular motivational conversations after leaving the hospital can help people with alcohol use disorder stay away from alcohol for a full year. About 104 adults who have completed alcohol withdrawal in the hospital will take part. Half will get …

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 and then be exposed to alcohol-related cues and…

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

This study looks at whether adding a type of talk therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to ketamine treatment is practical for people who have both alcohol use disorder and depression that hasn't improved with standard medications. The study will enroll 30 partic…

This study tests a short, tailored alcohol intervention for 60 adults who are taking buprenorphine for opioid use and also drink alcohol. The program aims to reduce drinking and improve treatment satisfaction. Researchers will check if the approach is practical and liked by parti…

This study tests a digital therapy program called RITch®CBT that uses an avatar to guide men through cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction. The goal is to reduce cravings and substance use, and it can be done from home. The study involves 40 men with alcohol or stimulant use…

This study looks at whether a single dose of a nutritional ketone ester drink can change how the brain responds to alcohol cues and reduce the urge to drink in people with alcohol use disorder. Twenty adults who drink heavily but are not seeking treatment will receive either the …

This study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can change brain activity linked to alcohol cravings in 25 adults with alcohol use disorder. Participants will receive LIFU and have brain scans to see if it reduces their response to alcohol-related cues. The goal …

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 early study tests whether disulfiram (Antabuse), a drug used for alcohol use disorder, can improve eyesight in people with retinal degeneration (like macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa). Researchers believe it may calm overactive cells in the retina. The study invo…

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 why young adults with bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop alcohol use disorders. Researchers will track 100 people aged 21-26 (half with bipolar disorder, half without) for two years, using brain scans and alcohol response tests. The goal is to fi…

This study tests whether thinking about positive future events can help people with alcohol use disorder choose long-term rewards over immediate drinking. About 21 participants will be split into two groups: one imagining high-intensity future events, the other low-intensity. Res…

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. Researchers will follow 400 adults who visit the ER for substance-related issues, comparing those who work with …

This study looks at why women are developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) at a much faster rate than men. Researchers will measure brain activity and hormone levels in 100 men and women to understand how sex differences in impulse control, emotional responses, and reactions to alco…

This study is testing a mobile app designed to help people in recovery from both opioid and alcohol use disorders. Researchers want to see if the app is easy to use and acceptable to patients. The study involves 50 people enrolled in Michigan Medicaid who are already taking medic…

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

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 to 70 will have brain scans before and after receiving alcohol. The goal is to understand how alcohol affects this protein, which cou…

This study looks at how stress and oral health habits relate to inflammation in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers will collect saliva, blood, and dental exams from 72 participants (AUD patients and healthy volunteers). The goal is to improve understanding of ora…

This study looks at a brain protein called PDE4B in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to see if this protein is lower during withdrawal and if it increases after 3-4 weeks of not drinking. Participants will have two PET scans and possibly an MRI. The goal is to b…

This study looks at 350 hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorder to find out what makes someone more likely to relapse after detox. Researchers will use questionnaires, evaluations, and brain activity tests to group patients and identify key risk factors. The goal is to cr…

This study screens up to 10,000 people aged 18 and older, with or without substance or alcohol use disorders, to find volunteers for future research at NIDA. Participants undergo a single visit with tests like physical exams, blood work, memory tests, and mental health evaluation…

This study looks at how drinking and PTSD together may lead to violence between partners. Researchers will observe 70 couples in a lab and track their daily experiences for 28 days. The goal is to understand these connections better, not to test a treatment.

This study tests whether an app-based alcohol intervention works as well as talking to a health educator face-to-face. About 1,200 adults in Mexico and South Africa who drink at risky levels will use either the app or meet with a counselor. Researchers will track their drinking o…

This study looks at how the cerebellum, a part of the brain, influences alcohol cravings and the brain's reward system in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers will compare 122 adults with AUD to healthy volunteers using brain scans and mild electrical stimulation. …

This study looks at how sleep habits and stressful events influence alcohol use in young adults aged 18-24 who already drink heavily. Researchers will track sleep, brain activity, and stress responses to understand why some people drink more. The goal is to use this knowledge to …

This study is gathering information from up to 7,500 adults, including those with alcohol use disorder who want treatment, those who don't, and healthy volunteers. Researchers will collect medical history, blood samples, and brain scans to better understand the condition. The goa…

This study is testing a new version of alcohol counseling called DeafMET, made specifically for Deaf adults who use American Sign Language. The goal is to see if the program is practical, liked by participants, and helps them feel more ready to change their drinking habits. Thirt…

This study looks at how the drug acamprosate changes brain activity in people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. Researchers will use EEG to measure brain waves in 48 adults who stay in the clinic for about 3 weeks. Half get the drug, half get a placebo, and the goal i…

This study looks at whether it's possible and acceptable to train liver doctors to provide medication and brief counseling for alcohol use disorder. About 30 healthcare providers who treat liver disease will take part. The goal is to make it easier for patients with both alcohol-…

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 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 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 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 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 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 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…