Alcohol dependence

This study tested a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS to see if it could help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. 147 adults who wanted to cut back on drinking received TMS and were tracked for 4 months. The goal was to measure changes in drinking days,…

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. Th…

This study tested whether topiramate, a seizure medication, can help people who are dependent on both alcohol and nicotine. 236 adults received either a low or high dose of topiramate or a placebo, plus behavioral therapy. The goal was to see if the drug could reduce heavy drinki…

This study tested a smartphone-based program that uses rewards, coaching, and breathalyzer tests to help 236 adults with alcohol use disorder reduce drinking. Participants earned money for staying sober, tracked via breath tests and self-reports. The goal was to see if this digit…

This study tested a smartphone app designed to help people recovering from alcohol dependence avoid relapse. The app uses a training game to change unconscious habits that make people reach for alcohol. 600 participants used either the active training or a placebo version. The go…

This study tested two brief, video-based therapies for women who experienced sexual assault and now struggle with PTSD and heavy drinking. One therapy focused on facing trauma memories, the other on building healthier drinking habits. The goal was to see if these short treatments…

This study looked at 23 adults going through alcohol detox to see how the bacteria in their mouth and gut change over time. Researchers collected stool and mouth samples along with diet and mood questionnaires. The goal was to better understand the link between gut bacteria, anxi…

This study looked at whether people with alcohol dependence or a history of early life stress have more trouble learning to feel calm after a scary event. Researchers used brain scans, mild electric shocks, and genetic tests to understand these differences. The goal was to learn …

This study looked at how sleep quality and beliefs about sleep affect the risk of relapse in people recovering from alcohol dependence. Researchers followed 198 adults as they left inpatient rehab and returned home, measuring sleep with questionnaires and activity monitors. The g…

This study explores how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) changes brain activity in people with and without heavy alcohol use. Researchers will use magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure brain signals before and after TMS. The goal is to gather early data to support future…

Sleep problems affect up to 90% of people with alcohol dependence and often lead to relapse. This study tests whether a short questionnaire called the Short Sleep Index (SSI) can reliably measure sleep quality compared to a longer, standard sleep questionnaire. Researchers will a…

This study combined brain imaging with real-world data from mobile devices to explore how addiction affects the brain. Researchers scanned the brains of 107 people with alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine dependence, along with healthy controls. They also tracked cravings and daily fu…

This study looked at whether a strong sense of 'presence' during virtual reality therapy could help people with alcohol dependence manage cravings and avoid relapse. Sixty abstinent patients who had recently completed withdrawal treatment took part. Researchers measured craving l…

This study looked at whether adults with ADHD are more likely to relapse into drinking after completing a detox program. Researchers followed 113 people for 12 weeks, using interviews and questionnaires to assess ADHD and other mental health conditions. The goal was to see if ADH…