Couples study links booze and trauma to domestic violence
NCT ID NCT05786157
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
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. The goal is to better understand these connections, not to test a treatment.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 140 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Expected to finish
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Oct 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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21 years and older
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria 1. Any gender identity; any race or ethnicity; ages 21 years or older. 2. Must report ≥ 2 heavy drinking episodes in the past 30 days (i.e., 4 or more drinks for women, 5 or more for men in ≤ 2 hours) and consumed a quantity of alcohol that is equal to or greater than the standard dose administered for their weight in the laboratory (assessed via the TLFB). 3. At least one instance of physical IPV in the current relationship reported by at least one partner within the couple (assessed by the CTS-2). 4. Participants must agree not to drive or operate machinery for the remainder of the experimental visit day. Transportation will be provided if necessary. 5. One or both partners in half the couples will be required to meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD or subthreshold PTSD (assessed by the CAPS-5). Exclusion criteria: 1. Possible drug use disorder (except caffeine or nicotine) as meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria via the QuickSCID; Recent recreational drug use (e.g., cannabis) is acceptable. 2. Severe alcohol use disorder as meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria via the QuickSCID. Applies to those receiving alcohol administration only. 3. Meeting DSM-5 criteria for a history of or current psychotic or bipolar disorders. 4. Current suicidal or homicidal ideation and intent. 5. History of or current psychiatric or medical condition for which alcohol administration is medically contraindicated. 6. Body weight \> 250 lbs (in order to rigorously control alcohol dosing). Applies to those receiving alcohol administration only. 7. Use of medications such as lithium, methadone, alpha or beta blockers or cholinergic/ anticholinergic drugs likely to confound normative cardiovascular responding for the psychophysiological component of the project. Applies to those receiving alcohol administration only. 8. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. 9. Severe or unilateral partner violence in the past 6 months as measured by the CTS-2.
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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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Medical University of South Carolina
RECRUITINGCharleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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