ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

This study is testing whether combining two brain-focused techniques—magnetic stimulation and real-time brain scan feedback—can help people with alcohol use disorder. Participants receive weekly sessions for a month while continuing their regular treatment, with follow-ups for a …

This study is testing whether a weekly injection called tirzepatide, currently used for diabetes and weight loss, can help reduce heavy alcohol use in people who also have schizophrenia. About 108 participants will receive either the real drug or a placebo (dummy injection) for 2…

This study is testing whether technology-based virtual care programs can help people better manage their alcohol use and overall well-being. Researchers are enrolling 400 adults with alcohol use disorder to try different online approaches that focus on goal-setting, skill-buildin…

This study tests whether adding regular motivational talks to standard care helps people with alcohol addiction stay sober longer after leaving the hospital. Researchers will compare two groups of 104 adults: one receiving motivational interviews every two weeks for four months, …

This study is testing whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can help people with severe alcohol addiction who haven't improved with standard treatments. DBS involves implanting a device that sends small electrical signals to specific brain areas involved in craving and self-contro…

This study is testing if a simple computer training program can help Veterans with alcohol use disorder drink less and improve their daily lives. The program is designed to change automatic reactions to alcohol cues and is given alongside standard VA treatment. Researchers will e…

This study is testing whether citicoline, an over-the-counter supplement, can affect brain function, thinking skills, and inflammation in teens and young adults with alcohol use disorder. Researchers will compare citicoline to a placebo pill in 56 participants aged 16-22. The goa…

This study is testing whether suvorexant, a medication currently used for insomnia, can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. 250 participants will take either the drug or a placebo pill nightly for 8 weeks while tracking their drinking, cravings, a…

This study is testing whether a single dose of insulin, delivered as a nasal spray, can help people with alcohol use disorder manage their cravings and drinking. Researchers will give the spray or a placebo to 40 participants in a controlled bar lab setting to see if it safely af…

This Yale University study is testing whether pregnenolone, a natural hormone supplement, can help people with alcohol use disorder reduce heavy drinking. 150 participants will take either pregnenolone or a placebo pill twice daily for 12 weeks while receiving counseling support.…

This study is testing whether adding a specific type of talk therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to ketamine treatment is a practical and helpful approach for people struggling with both alcohol use disorder and depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. It wil…

This study is testing a smartphone app designed to help people who are in treatment for both opioid and alcohol addiction. It aims to see if the app is easy to use and helpful for 50 adults on Michigan Medicaid. The app uses a reward system to encourage people to stay on track wi…

This study is testing whether a computer training program can help people with alcohol use disorder. The training aims to change automatic urges to approach alcohol by teaching avoidance responses. Researchers are comparing a standard version of this training to one that adds a p…

This study is testing whether a therapy group designed specifically for women helps female veterans with alcohol use problems. Researchers will compare a 12-session women-only therapy group to standard alcohol counseling. The study aims to see which approach helps participants dr…

This study is testing a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment called IR-TMS to see if it can help people with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking and cravings. Participants receive multiple magnetic stimulation sessions targeting specific brain areas, along with brain s…

This study is testing whether combining a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique with specific mental exercises can help people with alcohol use disorder stay sober. Researchers want to see if this 'brain training' improves thinking skills and reduces the chance of rela…

This study is testing if a single dose of a nutritional ketone drink can help control alcohol use disorder. Researchers will measure if the drink changes brain activity in response to alcohol cues, reduces cravings, and leads to less drinking in a controlled setting. The study in…

This study is testing whether adding oxytocin, a natural hormone, to a proven therapy can help Veterans who are struggling with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to see if oxytocin, given as a nasal spray before weekly therapy s…

This small pilot study is testing whether a combination of an existing medication and counseling from a pharmacist is a practical and acceptable way to help people with HIV reduce their alcohol use. The 12-week program is being offered to 30 veterans in Atlanta who have HIV and d…

This study is testing a new talk therapy that combines two proven treatments—one for PTSD and one for alcohol use—to see if it works better than the alcohol treatment alone. It will involve 200 adults who struggle with both conditions. Researchers will measure changes in drinking…

This study tests two brief counseling approaches to help people with HIV who have alcohol use disorders maintain abstinence or low-risk drinking after periods of heavier use. Researchers will compare a computer-delivered program, a counselor-delivered program, and standard clinic…

This study is testing whether adding a brief family support program to standard alcohol therapy helps veterans drink less. 400 participants (200 veterans and a supportive family member or friend) will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard therapy alone or the standa…

This study is testing if a weekly injection called tirzepatide, which is approved for weight loss and diabetes, can also help people reduce heavy alcohol use. It will involve 42 adults who have alcohol use disorder and are overweight or obese. Participants will receive either the…

This large, late-stage study is testing whether an investigational medication called brenipatide helps adults with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking compared to a placebo. About 1,100 participants will self-inject the study drug or a dummy shot for about a year while res…

This early-stage study is testing whether a medication called suvorexant, which blocks a brain chemical called orexin, can reduce the urge to drink alcohol. Researchers will measure if 30 adults with alcohol use disorder choose alcohol less often and report lower cravings while s…

This study is testing whether a monthly injection of a medication called naltrexone helps people who drink primarily for pleasure reduce their heavy drinking more than a placebo (inactive) shot. 60 adults with alcohol use disorder will receive either the real medication or a plac…

This study is testing whether having a peer support worker—someone who has personally recovered from addiction—in the emergency room helps people with substance use disorders get connected to treatment and social services. Researchers will follow 400 people for 6 months to see if…

This study is testing whether a combination of a memory-enhancing medication (donepezil) and cognitive training therapy works better than a placebo to help people with alcohol use disorder reduce heavy drinking. Researchers will compare the two approaches in about 160 participant…

This study is testing whether a smartphone app can help people with alcohol-related liver disease stop drinking. About 300 patients from clinics in Michigan and Wisconsin will either use the app along with their usual care or receive usual care alone for six months. The main goal…

This study is testing whether a medication called guanfacine can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. 200 participants will take either the medication or a placebo pill for 12 weeks, with all visits and monitoring done remotely via telehealth. Rese…

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder reduce their heavy drinking. 186 participants will receive either the real magnetic stimulation treatment or a sham (fake) treatment over 6 months…

This large study is testing whether an investigational medication called brenipatide can help adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking and cravings. About 1,100 participants will receive either brenipatide or a placebo injection for approximately …

This study is testing three different support programs to help people with moderate to severe alcohol problems stay engaged in treatment after they leave the hospital. Researchers at Yale will enroll 450 diverse patients to see if combining a brief counseling session with medicat…

This study is testing whether different activities and environments can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and feel better. Participants will try activities like virtual reality, games, and crafts during some visits, and watch videos during others, to see what effec…

This study is testing two different talk therapy programs to help teens and young adults (ages 14-21) who struggle with alcohol or drug use. Researchers want to see if adding 12-step program support to standard therapy works better than standard therapy alone. The study will foll…

This study is testing whether a medication containing cannabidiol (CBD) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and have fewer cravings. Participants will take either CBD or a placebo pill for short periods and complete lab sessions where their alcohol consumption an…

This study is testing if semaglutide, a medication currently used for weight loss and diabetes, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 52 adults will receive weekly injections of either the real medication or a placebo (dummy shot) for 20 weeks. Researchers w…

This study is testing whether psilocybin (from magic mushrooms) or ketamine (an anesthetic) works better when combined with therapy to help people reduce heavy drinking. Researchers will compare these two psychedelic treatments in 80 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use dis…

This study is testing whether a computer-delivered therapy program can help people who have both alcohol use disorder and an anxiety disorder. Researchers want to see if this accessible, online version of a proven therapy works as well as when delivered by a therapist. The goal i…

This study is testing whether a gentle, focused ultrasound aimed at a specific brain area can help people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to see if this non-invasive procedure changes how the brain responds to alcohol cues and reduces cravings. They will use brain sca…

This study is testing whether vividly imagining positive personal future events can help people with alcohol use disorder make healthier long-term choices. Researchers will show participants different types of future-thinking images and measure if they prefer delayed rewards and …

This study aims to see if a brief counseling session delivered through a smartphone app is as helpful as a traditional in-person session for people whose drinking may be risky. Researchers in Mexico and South Africa will enroll about 1,200 adults who score high on an alcohol scre…

This study is testing whether following a modified ketogenic diet (a high-fat, low-carb eating plan) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less alcohol. Researchers will work with 50 adults currently undergoing standard alcohol withdrawal treatment. Half will receive sp…

This early-stage study is testing if a common blood pressure and heart failure medicine called spironolactone is safe for people with alcohol use disorder and how it interacts with alcohol in the body. Researchers want to see how the drug is processed and if it changes how people…

This study is testing whether a daily probiotic supplement called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and improve their liver health. Over six months, 60 participants will take either the probiotic or a placebo pill. Researchers w…

This study is testing a short counseling program designed specifically for people receiving medication treatment for opioid addiction who also drink alcohol. The program aims to help reduce alcohol use, which can increase the risk of overdose and make opioid treatment less effect…

This small pilot study is testing whether a medication not officially approved for alcohol problems, combined with counseling from a pharmacist, can help people living with HIV reduce their drinking. The goal is to see if this approach is practical, safe, and acceptable to patien…

This study is testing a therapy program specifically adapted for Deaf adults who use American Sign Language (ASL) and are struggling with alcohol use. The program, called DeafMET, is based on a proven therapy but uses visual materials and ASL to be more accessible. Researchers wi…

This study is testing whether disulfiram, a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder, can improve vision in people with retinal degeneration diseases like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The trial will enroll 15 adults who have both a retinal condition and alc…

This study is testing if offering alcohol use disorder treatment directly in a liver disease clinic helps patients newly diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease stay sober. About 221 patients will be randomly assigned to either receive this direct offer of treatment plus sta…

This study is testing a new digital therapy program called RITch®CBT, which uses an interactive avatar to guide users through exercises. It aims to help men with substance use problems and a history of relationship conflict reduce their cravings and aggressive behaviors. The prog…

This study is testing whether psilocybin, the active compound in 'magic mushrooms,' can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. Researchers will give 200 participants either psilocybin or a placebo and use brain scans to see how it affects their brain's response…

This study is testing whether a new blood test can help doctors better diagnose depression and schizophrenia. Researchers will follow 500 participants with these conditions to see if the blood test can distinguish between different diagnoses and predict who will respond to treatm…

This study is testing whether a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a major nerve (the vagus nerve) can help Veterans struggling with alcohol use disorder. The goal is to see if this stimulation can reduce withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and cravings, which may help improve …

This study is testing if using virtual reality (VR) to experience peaceful nature scenes can help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in people who are in intensive treatment for alcohol use disorder. Researchers will enroll 50 adults with moderate depression who are starting …

This study is testing whether a ketone supplement drink can help people going through alcohol withdrawal. Researchers will compare the drink to a placebo in 30 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder during a 4-day detox program. The main goal is to see if the ketone …

This small study is testing if a supervised exercise program can help people with alcohol use disorder who also have trouble sleeping. Researchers want to see if people will join and stick with the program, and if it improves their sleep quality and daily function. The results wi…

This study aims to understand the connection between alcohol use disorder, oral health, and body-wide inflammation. Researchers are recruiting 72 people, including those being treated for alcohol use disorder and healthy volunteers, to test a new oral health survey and collect sa…

This study aims to understand how anxiety changes in the brain when people with alcohol use disorder stop drinking. Researchers will use MRI brain scans to compare people in recovery with healthy volunteers over time. The goal is to learn about the brain circuits involved, not to…

This study aims to understand why young adults with bipolar disorder are at high risk for developing alcohol use disorders. Researchers will follow 160 young adults (half with bipolar disorder) for two years, using brain scans and controlled alcohol sessions to see how stress and…

This study aims to understand why women's risk for alcohol use disorder is increasing faster than men's. Researchers will use brain scans and hormone measurements to examine differences in how men and women process emotions, control impulses, and respond to alcohol cues. The find…

This study aims to understand how two key risk factors—impulsivity and how alcohol makes a person feel—are connected to drinking habits in young adults. Researchers will follow 250 participants aged 21-25, using lab tests and daily smartphone surveys over two years to track these…

This study aims to better understand alcohol use problems by observing a large group of people over time. It will enroll up to 7,500 adults, including those with alcohol problems (whether they want treatment or not) and healthy volunteers. Researchers will collect detailed health…

This study aims to develop and test simple computer tasks that can be used during brain scans to better understand how alcohol use disorders affect behavior, thinking, and decision-making. Researchers are recruiting 400 adults, including both healthy volunteers and people with al…

This study aims to understand the relationship between alcohol use disorder and weight-loss (bariatric) surgery. Researchers will review the medical records of 20 patients who have had the surgery and also received treatment for alcohol problems. The goal is to see how their surg…

This study aims to understand how an existing medication for alcohol use disorder (acamprosate) affects brain function. Researchers will measure brain activity using EEG caps in 48 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. Half will receive the real medication and half…

This study aims to understand how a non-invasive magnetic brain stimulation (TMS) affects brain activity in people with and without heavy alcohol use. Researchers will use a special brain scanner (MEG) to measure activity before and after the stimulation. The goal is to gather ea…

This study aims to understand if drinking alcohol increases the activity of a specific protein (PDE4B) in the brain. Researchers will use brain scans (PET and MRI) on about 30 healthy social drinkers, once while sober and once after receiving alcohol. The goal is to gather basic …

This study aims to understand the biology of alcohol use disorder by scanning the brain. Researchers will measure levels of a specific protein (PDE4B) in 30 adults with the disorder, first during withdrawal and again after 3-4 weeks of abstinence. The goal is to see if this prote…

This study aims to understand how alcohol use disorder affects people's senses of taste and smell. Researchers will compare 475 adults with and without alcohol use disorder through taste tests, smell assessments, brain scans, and sample collection. The goal is to identify biologi…

This study aims to understand why some people respond better to therapy for alcohol or cannabis addiction than others. Researchers will enroll 400 adults with these disorders, give them detailed brain function tests, and then provide 12 weeks of standard therapy. The main goal is…

This University of Oregon study aims to understand how sleep habits and stressful life events are linked to brain function and risky alcohol use in young adults. Researchers will observe 90 participants aged 18-24 who are high-risk drinkers, measuring their brain activity and str…

This study aims to understand if a blood test that measures recent alcohol use can help predict how patients recover after major surgery. Researchers will check this alcohol marker in adults who regularly drink and are having planned surgery with a hospital stay of at least three…

This research aims to better understand how heavy drinking and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) together might influence conflict and aggression between partners. The study will observe 70 couples, some with PTSD, in both a controlled lab setting and their daily lives over 2…

This study aims to understand how men and women respond differently when they take a break from drinking alcohol. Researchers will observe 160 moderate social drinkers to see how their drinking patterns, brain responses, and feelings about alcohol change after two weeks of abstin…

This study is a large screening program to find people for future research on addiction. It aims to understand why some people use drugs, why some get addicted, and why others never use them. Researchers will screen up to 10,000 adults, with and without substance use disorders, u…