ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

This study tested whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called theta burst stimulation (TMS) could help people with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking. 147 adults who wanted treatment received TMS and were tracked for 4 months. The goal was to see which TMS m…

This study tested a smartphone app and special debit card program to help 236 adults with alcohol use disorder reduce or stop drinking. The program used rewards for staying sober, along with coaching and therapy. Participants used a breathalyzer and saliva tests to confirm they w…

This study tested whether topiramate, a seizure medication, can help people who are dependent on both alcohol and nicotine. 236 adults who drank heavily and smoked at least 5 cigarettes daily took either a high or low dose of topiramate or a placebo for 18 weeks. The goal was to …

This study tested a smartphone app designed to help people recovering from alcohol dependence avoid relapse. The app uses a game-like training to change unconscious cravings for alcohol. Researchers enrolled 600 adults leaving inpatient rehab or in self-help groups to see if usin…

This study involved 60 adults who had recently completed alcohol withdrawal treatment. Researchers used virtual reality to show alcohol-related cues and measured how real the experience felt. They wanted to see if a stronger sense of presence in the virtual world was linked to st…

This study looked at whether people with alcohol dependence and/or early life stress have a harder time learning to feel calm after a scary experience. Researchers used brain scans and mild electric shocks to measure fear responses in 96 adults. The goal was to understand how gen…