ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

This phase 2 trial tested whether the drug sunobinop (V117957) can reduce heavy drinking in adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who want treatment. 209 participants took either sunobinop or a placebo daily for several weeks. The study measured changes in heavy dri…

This study tested whether trained community health workers visiting pregnant women at home could improve health for both mothers and children in a rural area of South Africa. The program focused on supporting women with HIV, depression, or alcohol use, and on improving child grow…

This early-stage trial tested whether a one-time infusion of donor stem cells is safe for people with both alcohol use disorder and major depression. Thirty-one participants received either the stem cells or a placebo. The main goal was to check for serious side effects, like sui…

This study tested whether semaglutide (Rybelsus), a drug used for diabetes, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. Fifty adults who wanted to cut down took either the drug or a placebo for 8 weeks. Researchers measured changes in alcohol cravings and daily drinking…

This study tested two smartphone apps designed to reduce risky drinking and its effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. One app focused on the drinker, the other on their family partner. About 400 pairs (a drinker and a family member) joined the 12-month study. The goal was to see …

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 small rewards for attending treatment and providing negative alcohol tests helps people with alcohol use disorder stay sober. 74 adults in outpatient treatment were randomly assigned to standard care or standard care plus rewards. The goal was to …

This completed trial tested a digital health app (QG-A) that combines cognitive-behavioral therapy with the medication naltrexone to help adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder reduce their drinking. 242 participants were randomly assigned to either the app-based pro…

This pilot study tested a 4-week virtual intensive outpatient program for 63 people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. The program included group therapy, individual therapy, medication management, and remote breathalyzer checks several times a day. The goal was to see…

This study tested a drug called GET73 in 79 people with alcohol use disorder who were not seeking treatment. Participants took GET73 or a placebo for 8 days and had MRI scans to see how their brains reacted to alcohol cues. The goal was to see if GET73 could reduce drinking and c…

This study tested a non-invasive brain stimulation method called rTMS to help veterans with alcohol use disorder stay sober. 49 veterans received either real or fake (sham) rTMS, and researchers tracked their alcohol use for 6 months. The goal was to see if rTMS could reduce rela…

This study tested a short, motivational counseling session for injured patients who drink alcohol, delivered in the emergency department in Tanzania. Over 600 adults took part, and the goal was to see if the intervention could reduce binge drinking and related harms. The approach…

This study tested whether a broccoli sprout extract supplement could improve gut health in 40 older adults (age 50+) who drink at least 8 alcoholic drinks per week and have a low-quality diet. The goal was to see if the supplement could reduce gut leakage and inflammation caused …

This study tested a program for 160 HIV-positive fisherfolk in Uganda who were heavy drinkers and struggling to stick with their HIV medication. The program combined individual and group counseling with help opening savings accounts and building social support. The goal was to re…

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 whether a single high dose of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with psychological support could help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. 60 adults in Denmark who were heavy drinkers took part. The main goal was to see if th…

This study tested whether kudzu, an herbal supplement, can help people who binge drink reduce their alcohol use and related risky sexual behaviors. Researchers enrolled 120 sexually active adults who binge drink and are at high risk for HIV. Participants received either kudzu or …

This study compared two short screening tests (MoCA and BEARNI) to see which one better detects thinking and memory problems in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers tested 90 patients and checked the results against a full set of standard thinking tests. The goal was to …

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 a brief behavioral program to help adults in residential rehab for substance use better regulate their emotions and handle distress. The program combined skills training from behavioral therapies over 11 weekly sessions. Researchers compared 19 people who receiv…

This study tested two types of therapy for insomnia in 134 people also being treated for alcohol use disorder. The goal was to see if improving sleep could help them stay sober and feel better during the day. Participants received either a standard insomnia treatment or a tailore…

This study tested a program called "Choizitaconso" that teaches people with alcohol use disorder how to control their drinking and reduce harm. About 110 adults took part, learning skills to manage their alcohol use and avoid negative consequences. The goal was to see if the prog…

This study tested a technique called Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) in 154 adults with alcohol use disorder who wanted to cut down. Participants imagined positive future events in detail, which helped them focus on long-term rewards instead of immediate drinking. The goal was to …

This study tested whether cytisine, a plant-based medication, is safe and helpful for quitting smoking in people who also have alcohol use disorder. Twenty adults who smoked daily and wanted to quit took part. The main goal was to see if the drug was well-tolerated and if partici…

This study tested a therapy called Behavioral Activation for U.S. veterans who have both alcohol use disorder and PTSD. Ten veterans took part and were randomly assigned to either Behavioral Activation or standard Relapse Prevention therapy for 8 sessions. The goal was to see if …

This early-stage study tested a new drug called DCR-AUD in 16 healthy adults who drink alcohol socially. The main goal was to see if repeat doses are safe and how the drug works in the body. Participants received either the drug or a placebo and had up to 10 alcohol interaction s…

This study tested whether an online program for insomnia (called SHUTi) could help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol use. 113 adults who drank heavily and had trouble sleeping took part. The goal was to see if improving sleep would also lead to less drinking and fewer binge epi…

This study looked at whether thinking about financial scarcity changes how people with alcohol use disorder value alcohol and make decisions. 124 adults who wanted to cut down on drinking listened to either a story about scarcity or a neutral story. Researchers then measured thei…

This study tested whether showing people in early recovery from alcohol use disorder personalized, high-intensity images of future events could help them think more about long-term rewards and increase their interest in treatment. Fifty-eight participants were split into two grou…

This study looked at how young adults with bipolar disorder respond to alcohol compared to healthy people. Sixty participants aged 21-26 completed brain scans and surveys after drinking alcohol or a placebo. The goal was to understand differences in brain activity and feelings of…

This study tested whether a coaching program for primary care doctors at one VA clinic could improve care for veterans with unhealthy alcohol use. The program aimed to help doctors offer more counseling, medications, and referrals to specialty treatment. Researchers tracked chang…

This study tested whether a bacterial toxin called endotoxin can increase alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder. 27 participants received either endotoxin or a placebo, and their alcohol intake was measured during a 2-hour session. The goal was to gather early d…

This study looked at how accurately patients with alcohol intoxication in the emergency department estimate their own blood alcohol concentration (BAC) compared to a real blood test. Researchers enrolled 34 adults aged 15-64 with a BAC of 60 mg/dL or higher. The goal was to see i…

This study looked at whether a single dose of methylphenidate (Ritalin) changes how people with both ADHD and alcohol use disorder respond to alcohol-related cues. Thirty-one adults aged 18-25 completed brain scans, EEG, and behavioral tests after taking either the drug or a plac…

This study looked at how heavy drinkers' brains respond when they see pictures of alcohol versus non-alcoholic drinks. Using brain scans (fMRI), researchers measured how much participants valued alcohol at different prices after seeing these images. The goal was to understand how…

This study looked at how negative emotions and stress influence alcohol use in 81 women veterans, including those with PTSD. Researchers measured cravings, heart rate, and drinking patterns, and also examined how these effects change across the menstrual cycle. The goal was to be…

This study tested a smartphone app called CampusGANDR that uses a game about college life to give students personalized feedback on their drinking habits. Over 1,100 first-year college students in California and Texas played the game for 12 weeks. Researchers measured changes in …

This study tested whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS could make cognitive training more effective for veterans with alcohol use disorder. Forty-five veterans participated, receiving either real or fake tDCS while doing brain exercises. The goal was to see if…

This study looked at 488 adults with alcohol use disorder who had suicidal thoughts or attempts. Researchers wanted to understand why some people call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline during a crisis and others don't. They also tested if a therapy session about the hotlin…

This study tested whether an 8-week cognitive training program, delivered via video call, is practical and well-liked by veterans recovering from alcohol use disorder who have mild memory or thinking problems. Nineteen veterans took part. The goal was to see if the program is eas…

This study tested a mobile app called WisePath designed to help adults who are thinking about suicide and may also misuse alcohol. Over 12 weeks, 127 participants either used the WisePath app or received standard self-help resources. Researchers measured changes in suicidal thoug…

This study looked at how people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) organize words and ideas in their memory compared to healthy individuals. Researchers tested 41 participants using word association tasks and brain function tests. The goal was to see if changes in these mental netwo…

This study looked at how thinking abilities (like planning and self-control) and social skills (like understanding others' emotions) are connected in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers tested 216 participants using tasks and eye-tracking to find patterns that might hel…

This study looked at how drinking alcohol and using high-THC cannabis concentrates together affects people. 146 heavy drinkers who also use cannabis regularly took part. Researchers measured things like blood alcohol level, heart rate, and how impaired they felt, depending on whe…