ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

This study tests a short, computer-based program to help people with HIV and alcohol use disorder avoid returning to heavy drinking. About 150 adults from Johns Hopkins HIV Clinic will take part. The goal is to see if the program helps them stay alcohol-free longer and improve th…

This study tests a brief family-involved treatment (B-FIT) delivered via telehealth for veterans with alcohol use disorder. About 400 veterans and a family member or friend will take part. The goal is to see if adding B-FIT to standard therapy helps reduce drinking and improve fa…

This early-stage study tests whether a new drug called NTX-2001 can help adults with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 50 participants will take either the drug or a placebo daily for two weeks. Researchers will measure how much alcohol they consume and check for side effect…

This study tests whether a new therapy that combines rewards for staying sober with problem-solving skills can help young adults (ages 18-24) with alcohol use disorder quit drinking. About 104 participants will be split into two groups: one gets the new combined therapy, the othe…

This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called theta burst stimulation (TBS) to see if it can reduce the desire to drink and lower heavy drinking days in people with alcohol use disorder. About 86 adults who drink heavily will receive either real or fake (sham…

This study tests whether tirzepatide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can reduce heavy drinking in people who have both schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder. About 108 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo for 16 weeks, and researchers will track thei…

This study tests whether capsules containing gut bacteria from healthy donors can safely reduce alcohol cravings and drinking in 80 adults with alcohol-related liver disease and cirrhosis. Participants will receive either the bacteria capsules or a placebo, and researchers will t…

This study tests whether a monthly injection of naltrexone (a medication that blocks pleasure from alcohol) helps people who drink mainly for the rewarding effects reduce their heavy drinking. About 60 adults with alcohol use disorder will receive either the shot or a placebo, pl…

This study is testing a smartphone app that rewards people for staying on track with their recovery from opioid and alcohol use disorders. The app uses digital check-ins and biochemical tests to verify progress. Researchers want to see if this approach is practical and acceptable…

This study tests a computer training program designed to change unconscious biases toward alcohol in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers will compare a standard version, an enhanced version with a planning strategy, and a sham (fake) version. 112 adults receiving care f…

This study tests whether the drug apremilast can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Researchers will compare apremilast to a placebo in 80 adults aged 21-65 who currently drink heavily. The main goal is to see if the drug reduces the amount of alcohol consumed duri…

This study tests an experimental medicine called brenipatide to see if it helps adults with alcohol use disorder drink less or stop. About 1,100 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo for 56 weeks. The goal is to measure changes in drinking patterns and cravings.

This study tests a new medicine called brenipatide to see if it helps people with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder drink less and reduce cravings. About 1,100 adults who want to cut down or stop drinking will receive either the drug or a placebo for 56 weeks. The study mea…

This study is testing whether a medication called brexpiprazole can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Researchers want to see if a person's genes affect how well the drug works. The study involves 250 adults who are not seeking treatment for their drinking. Partic…

This study tests whether offering specialized alcohol use treatment right in the liver clinic helps people newly diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease quit drinking. About 221 adults will be randomly assigned to either receive the alcohol treatment offer or standard care. …

This early study tests whether semaglutide, a medication used for diabetes and weight loss, can help people who have had bariatric surgery and now struggle with alcohol use disorder. Ten adults will take semaglutide for three months and be followed for three more months to see if…

This study tests whether psilocybin or ketamine, given alongside therapy, can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. Eighty adults who have at least 4 heavy drinking days per month will receive either psilocybin or ketamine in a double-blind setup. R…

This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation device called Deep TMS to see if it can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. About 186 adults aged 18-86 will either get real or fake (sham) stimulation over several weeks. The main goal is to see i…

This study tests whether blocking a brain chemical called orexin can lower the desire to drink alcohol in people with Alcohol Use Disorder. Researchers will give participants an orexin blocker and measure how often they choose alcohol over money. The goal is to see if this approa…

This study tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can safely help people with severe alcohol use disorder who haven't gotten better with standard treatments. DBS uses small electrical signals to change brain activity in areas linked to craving and self-control. The trial will…

This study is testing a treatment called IR-TMS, which uses magnetic pulses to target specific brain areas, to see if it can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 150 participants will receive a few sessions of this treatment, along with brain scans and blood te…

This study tests whether a weekly injection of tirzepatide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can reduce heavy drinking in adults who have alcohol use disorder and are overweight or obese. About 42 participants will receive either tirzepatide or a placebo for 8 weeks. Res…

This study tests a web-based program called Partners Connect for military couples where one partner drinks heavily. The goal is to help the concerned partner drink less and encourage the service member to seek help. About 744 couples will participate, comparing the online program…

This study tests whether the drug apremilast can help reduce alcohol cravings in people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. About 100 adults seeking treatment will take either a low or high dose of apremilast or a placebo daily for several weeks. Researchers will measur…

This study is testing whether a smartphone app called CHESS Health Connections can help people with alcohol-related liver disease stop drinking. About 298 participants will either get usual care or usual care plus the app, and researchers will track their drinking over 6 months. …

This study tests a program called Kisoboka for men living with HIV who drink heavily in fishing communities. The goal is to help them drink less, take their HIV medication as prescribed, and achieve undetectable viral loads. About 716 men will be randomly assigned to different le…

This study tests whether combining fMRI neurofeedback (real-time brain activity monitoring) with TMS (magnetic brain stimulation) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and feel fewer cravings. About 90 adults currently in treatment will attend weekly sessions for a…

This study tests whether a medication called guanfacine (normally used for high blood pressure) can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Two hundred adults who want to quit drinking will take either guanfacine or a placebo for 12 weeks, and report their drinking habi…

This study tests whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 80 adults will receive either the drug or a placebo shot weekly for 5 months. Researchers will measure changes in drinking, brain activity, and cravings usi…

This study looks at whether having motivational conversations every two weeks for four months after leaving the hospital can help people with alcohol use disorder stay sober longer. About 104 adults who completed alcohol withdrawal in the hospital will be split into two groups: o…

This study tests whether full-spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) can help people who regularly drink alcohol reduce their drinking. Researchers will measure how much participants drink in a lab setting and track their drinking habits over 12 weeks. The goal is to see if CBD can be a safe…

This study tests a new drug called CMND-100 in healthy volunteers and people with alcohol use disorder. The goal is to find a safe dose and see if it helps reduce drinking and cravings. About 84 participants will take the drug and be monitored for side effects and effectiveness.

This study tests a computer-based training program, called Approach Avoidance Training (AAT), for veterans with alcohol use disorder. The training aims to change unconscious urges to approach alcohol-related cues. Researchers will measure if adding this training to standard VA ca…

This study tests whether a virtual reality (VR) experience can help people in early recovery from alcohol use disorder reduce drinking and stay sober longer. About 500 participants who have been abstinent for at least 14 days but less than a year will be randomly assigned to a VR…

This study tests whether suvorexant, a drug used for insomnia, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and handle stress better. About 250 adults who want to cut back on alcohol will take the drug or a placebo nightly for 8 weeks. Researchers will track drinking, cra…

This study tests whether pairing a gentle electrical brain stimulation (tDCS) with computer-based cognitive training can help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer. About 40 participants who are already sober and in a residential program will receive the combined…

This study tests a new therapy called InTEGRA for teens aged 14-21 with alcohol or cannabis use disorder. It combines two proven approaches—12-step support and motivational therapy—to see if it helps teens stay abstinent longer and reduce substance-related problems. About 294 par…

This study is testing whether a drug called donepezil, combined with cognitive training (brain exercises), can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less heavily. The study involves 160 adults who currently have heavy drinking days. Participants will receive either the drug…

This study tests whether a modified ketogenic (low-carb, high-fat) diet can help people with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking. Fifty adults who meet the criteria will follow the diet and be monitored for several weeks. Researchers will measure diet adherence, blood keto…

This study tests whether tirzepatide, a drug approved for weight management, can help people with alcohol use disorder and related liver disease drink less and improve liver health. About 120 adults will receive weekly injections of tirzepatide or a placebo for 12 weeks. Research…

This study tests whether starting alcohol use disorder treatment during a hospital stay helps people stay engaged in care and drink less after leaving. About 450 adults hospitalized at Yale New Haven Hospital who have moderate to severe alcohol use disorder will be randomly assig…

This study tests whether taking a probiotic called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for 6 months can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less and reduce liver injury. About 60 heavy drinkers with alcohol-related liver disease will receive either LGG or a placebo. The goal…

This study tests whether a natural hormone called pregnenolone can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. About 150 adults who drink heavily at least 3 times a week will take either pregnenolone or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Researchers will track heavy drinking day…

This early-phase study tests whether disulfiram (Antabuse), a drug used for alcohol use disorder, can improve vision in people with retinal degeneration. Researchers believe it may reduce harmful activity in the retina. The study involves 15 adults with inherited retinal disease …

This study tests a self-guided, avatar-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program called RITch®CBT for men with substance use disorders and recent relationship conflict. Forty men entering addiction treatment will be randomly assigned to use the digital platform at home …

This study tests spironolactone, a blood pressure medicine, in 20 adults with alcohol use disorder to see how the body processes it and if it changes the effects of alcohol. Participants stay at a clinic for four week-long visits, taking the drug or a placebo, and then drink alco…

This study tests whether a computer-delivered therapy can help people who have both an anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder. The program aims to reduce heavy drinking days and delay relapse. Researchers will enroll 256 adults in an addiction treatment program to see if this …

This study tests a brief virtual therapy called Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR) to help young people (ages 16-30) with early psychosis reduce their alcohol and cannabis use. The therapy involves 16 sessions over 2 months and aims to improve thinking skills that support …

This study tests a small device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear to help people with alcohol use disorder manage withdrawal symptoms. Twenty adults will wear the device for 5 days during detox, and half will receive a placebo version. Researchers will measure withdrawal …

This study tests whether a short, four-session psychotherapy program can help people with alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking. The therapy focuses on how people see themselves and their memories related to drinking. 60 participants will be randomly assigned to either recei…

This study looks at whether a supervised exercise program can improve sleep quality in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers will recruit 40 adults who have trouble sleeping and drink heavily. Participants will take part in physical activity sessions and track their sleep…

This study tests whether a single dose of insulin given as a nasal spray can reduce cravings and the effects of alcohol in people with alcohol use disorder. Forty non-treatment-seeking adults will receive either insulin or a placebo spray, then be exposed to alcohol-related cues …

This study tests whether a therapy that combines cognitive processing therapy (for PTSD) with relapse prevention (for alcohol use) works better than relapse prevention alone. Researchers will enroll 200 adults with both PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The goal is to reduce drinkin…

This study tests whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help people with alcohol use disorder by changing how their brain responds to alcohol cues. Two hundred adults will receive either psilocybin or a placebo, and researchers will use brain scans and …

This study looks at whether adding a type of talk therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to ketamine treatment is practical for people who have both alcohol use disorder and depression that hasn't improved with standard medications. The study will enroll 30 partic…

This study tests a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve to help veterans with alcohol use disorder. The goal is to reduce withdrawal-related distress and cravings, and improve quality of life. About 80 veterans will receive the treatment, and researchers will measu…

This study tests whether cannabidiol (CBD) can lower alcohol cravings and the amount people drink. Thirty-six adults with alcohol use disorder will take both CBD and a placebo at different times to compare effects. The goal is to see if CBD can be a new tool to help manage alcoho…

This study tests whether a ketone supplement drink can reduce withdrawal symptoms in people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder during a 4-day detox. Researchers will compare how much benzodiazepine (a sedative) is needed by those who get the supplement versus a placebo.…

This study tests whether experiencing virtual reality (VR) nature scenes can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with alcohol use disorder who are in an intensive outpatient program. About 50 participants with at least moderate depression will either receive standard…

This study tests whether MDMA-assisted therapy can help veterans who have both PTSD and alcohol use disorder. About 80 veterans will receive either MDMA or a low-dose placebo during three therapy sessions. The goal is to see if this approach reduces PTSD symptoms and drinking.

This study looks at whether a single dose of a nutritional ketone ester drink can change how the brain responds to alcohol cues and reduce the urge to drink in people with alcohol use disorder. Twenty adults who drink heavily but are not seeking treatment will receive either the …

This study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can change brain activity linked to alcohol cravings in 25 adults with alcohol use disorder. Participants will receive LIFU and have brain scans to see if it reduces their response to alcohol-related cues. The goal …

This study is testing a new blood test to see if it can help doctors tell the difference between depression and schizophrenia, and whether it can show if a treatment is working. Researchers will collect blood samples and mental health surveys from 500 adults over three visits. Th…

This study is for 400 adults with alcohol or cannabis use disorder who are willing to try group therapy. Researchers will measure thinking skills, motivation, and emotions before and during 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy. The goal is to better understand how these facto…

This study looks at how different activities and settings influence drinking behaviors and mental health in people with alcohol use disorder. About 44 adults will try virtual reality, games, or videos, then answer questions about cravings and alcohol use. The goal is to understan…

This study looks at how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) changes brain activity in people who drink heavily and those who don't. Researchers will use a special brain scanner (MEG) to measure these effects in 10 adults. The goal is to gather early data to plan larger studie…

This study looks at how drinking problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) together may lead to violence between partners. Researchers will observe 70 couples in a lab and track their daily experiences for 28 days using phone surveys. The goal is to understand these conne…

This study looks at how stress and mouth inflammation are linked in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers will test a new oral health questionnaire and collect saliva, blood, and dental X-rays from 72 participants (AUD patients and healthy volunteers). The goal is t…

This study looks at how sleep patterns and stressful life events influence alcohol use in young adults aged 18-24 who already drink heavily. Researchers will measure brain activity, stress hormones, and drinking habits over time. The goal is to understand these links so better pr…

This study looks at medical records of 20 adults who had bariatric surgery and later received treatment for alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to see if and how the surgery was considered during addiction follow-up. The goal is to improve care for patients with both condition…

This study looks at how men and women react differently when they stop drinking alcohol for two weeks. Researchers will measure alcohol intake, brain responses, and personal feelings after the break. The goal is to use this information to create better ways to prevent and treat a…

This study looks at how brain function and hormones may put men and women at different risks for alcohol use disorder. Researchers will measure brain activity, emotional responses, and drinking behavior in 100 adults. The goal is to find sex-specific factors that could lead to be…

This study looks at how the FDA-approved drug acamprosate affects brain function in people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. About 48 adults aged 21 to 65 will stay in the clinic for 21 days, taking either acamprosate or a placebo. Researchers will use EEG to measure …

This study looks at why people with alcohol use disorder feel anxious when they stop drinking. Researchers will use brain scans to compare people in recovery with healthy volunteers. The goal is to understand how anxiety changes over time and what happens in the brain during earl…

This study tests whether an app-based program can work as well as face-to-face counseling to help people drink less. About 1,200 adults in Mexico and South Africa who screen positive for risky drinking will be randomly assigned to either use the app or meet with a health educator…

This study is for people who take buprenorphine for opioid use and also drink alcohol. Researchers want to see if a short, tailored counseling session is acceptable and practical. About 60 adults will try the program for four weeks. The goal is to gather information to plan a lar…

This study looks at how alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects a person's sense of taste and smell. Researchers will compare people with and without AUD using taste tests, smell tests, and brain activity measurements. The goal is to better understand these sensory changes, not to tes…

This study looks at why young adults with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop alcohol use disorders. Researchers will use brain scans and alcohol response tests to track changes over two years in 100 people aged 21-26. The goal is to find early warning signs that could le…

This study looks at how a 4-week ketogenic diet changes the way the brain responds to alcohol. Twenty adults will follow the diet and complete three lab visits, including alcohol tolerance tests and brain scans. The goal is to understand if ketosis alters brain chemistry and alco…

This study looks at two factors that can lead to alcohol use disorder in young adults aged 21-25: impulsivity and how they react to alcohol. Researchers will measure these in a lab and through daily surveys using a phone app. The goal is to find new ways to prevent and treat alco…

This study follows up to 7,500 adults with and without alcohol use disorder to learn more about the condition. Researchers will collect health information, blood samples, and brain scans to better understand the biology and genetics behind alcohol problems. The goal is to improve…

This study screens up to 10,000 people aged 18 and older, with or without substance or alcohol use disorders, to see if they qualify for other NIDA research studies. Participants undergo a single screening visit that may include physical exams, blood tests, memory tests, and ment…

This study looks at a brain protein called PDE4B in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to see if PDE4B levels drop during alcohol withdrawal and if they return to normal after 3-4 weeks of not drinking. Participants will have two PET scans and possibly an MRI. The…

This study is testing a specially designed counseling program called DeafMET for Deaf adults who use American Sign Language and have risky drinking habits. The program adapts a standard therapy to be culturally and linguistically accessible, delivered in person or online. Researc…

This study looks at how alcohol changes a brain protein called PDE4B, which may be linked to alcohol use disorder. Healthy social drinkers aged 21-70 will get brain scans before and after receiving alcohol. The goal is to understand how alcohol affects this protein, which could l…

This study looks at why people with alcohol use disorder feel motivated to drink. Researchers will ask 210 adults aged 21-65 about their mood, habits, and thinking, then give them alcohol through an IV and see how hard they press a button for more. The goal is to understand the r…

This study looks at whether a blood test called phosphatidylethanol (PEth), which shows how much alcohol someone has had over the past few weeks, can predict problems after surgery. Researchers will test 170 adults who drink alcohol and are having surgery at University Hospitals …

This study looks at 350 hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorder to find out who is most at risk of relapsing after detox. Researchers will use questionnaires, interviews, and brain activity tests to group patients and identify key relapse triggers. The goal is to create a…

This study tests whether a program that pairs people in the ER with a trained peer recovery specialist helps them connect to addiction treatment and support services. Researchers will follow 400 adults who came to the ER for a substance use-related issue, comparing those who get …

This study aims to create simple computer tasks that measure thinking, motivation, and decision-making in people with alcohol use disorder and healthy volunteers. Participants will complete tasks either inside or outside an MRI scanner to see how the brain works. The goal is to d…

This study tests whether thinking about positive future events can help people with alcohol use disorder choose long-term rewards over immediate drinking. About 21 participants will be split into two groups: one imagining high-intensity future events, the other low-intensity. Res…

This study looks at how the cerebellum, a part of the brain, influences alcohol cravings and the brain's reward system in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers will compare 122 adults with AUD to healthy volunteers using brain scans and mild electrical stimulation. …

This study looks at whether it's possible and acceptable to train liver doctors to provide medication and brief counseling for alcohol use disorder. About 30 healthcare providers who treat liver disease will take part. The goal is to make it easier for patients with both alcohol-…