Emergency room could be the starting point for alcohol addiction treatment
NCT ID NCT05827159
First seen Jul 21, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether giving people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder a medication called naltrexone (as a pill or injection) right in the emergency department, along with a brief counseling session, helps them follow up with ongoing treatment. All participants receive counseling and a referral, but only some get the medication started in the ED. The main goal is to see if more people engage in alcohol treatment 30 days later.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- naltrexone (pill or injection) plus a brief counseling session
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could make it easier for people with alcohol use disorder to start treatment right when they are in the emergency department, potentially reducing heavy drinking.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single trial with 240 participants, and the benefits may not apply to everyone. Naltrexone can cause side effects like nausea or headache, and some people may not respond to the medication.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 240 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Between 18 and 80 years in age 2. Diagnosed with moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder 3. Stated willingness and ability to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 4. Reproductive aged females will have a negative pregnancy test within the past 24 hours and agree to use of highly effective family planning during study participation period 5. Able to speak English sufficiently to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent to participate in the study. 6. Clinical Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (CIWA-Ar) ≥ 4. Exclusion Criteria: 1. A current diagnosis of OUD, self-reported past 7 day opioid or opioid pain medication use, or a positive urine opioid screen (opiates, methadone, buprenorphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol and fentanyl) 2. Current prescription of opioid pain medications, or anticipated need for opioid pain medications during the study period (i.e. planned surgery) 3. History of complicated alcohol withdrawal 4. Condition that precludes interview (i.e., life threatening injury/illness) 5. Inability to consent due to cognitive impairment 6. Awaiting an acute psychiatric evaluation for psychosis or suicidal ideation 7. In police custody 8. Unable to provide contact information 9. Previously enrolled in this study or currently enrolled in another study for which they are currently receiving study medications or active ongoing intervention 10. Any contraindication to naltrexone or gabapentin, including known allergy, renal failure, acute hepatitis, hepatic failure,1 or severe lung disease or other chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 11. Creatine Clearance \<60 mL/min within past 72 hours. 12. Currently pregnant or breast feeding 13. Requiring hospitalization at the time of the index visit 14. Past week treatment with medications for the treatment of alcohol use disorder 15. Taking gabapentin or naltrexone for any reason 16. Appearing unable or unwilling to comply with discharge instructions or complete follow-up 17. Current residence outside of the state of Connecticut
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Yale New Haven Hospital
RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States
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- Could a seizure drug curb alcohol withdrawal in trauma wards?