Longer diazepam use may curb alcohol relapse

NCT ID NCT02242955

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital, Lille Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether giving people with alcohol dependence a one-month course of diazepam (40 mg per day) after detoxification could reduce the chance of relapsing into drinking within the next three months. The standard detoxification treatment is usually about one week. The idea was that longer treatment might ease lingering anxiety that often leads to relapse. The study enrolled 26 adults who had already started detoxification.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: diazepam
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a longer treatment approach to help prevent early alcohol relapse after detoxification.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase study with only 26 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The extended diazepam use also carries risks like dependence and side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse alcohol dependence anxiety disorder Recurrence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALCOHOLISM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Department of Addiction Medicine

Lille, 59037, France
Outpatient Addiction Center "CSAPA - Le Pari"

Lille, 59037, France

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.