Chronic Alcohol, Stress Inflammatory Response and Relapse Risk
Alcohol Dependence, Depressive Symptomatology
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Alcohol Dependence focused on measuring Alcohol dependence, Stress, Cytokines, Depressive Symptomatology
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- ADs: Male and females, aged 18-50 years, meeting current DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence consuming more than 25 drinks / week.
- SDs: Male and females, aged 18-50 years. Must not meet either current or lifetime DSM-IV criteria for alcohol/drug abuse. They must have demonstrated weekly alcohol use over the past year but no more than 25 drinks / month with no occasion of binge drinking (5 or more drinks-men; 4 or more -women).
- ADs and SDs must self-report depression ratings at levels to match one of the two following groups: a) a score of 20 or above in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D), or b) a score between 3 -20 on the CES-D
- Weekly alcohol use as documented by positive urine toxicology screens (AD only).
- Good health as verified by screening examinations and medical and screening
- Able to read English and complete study evaluations.
- All participants must voluntarily provide informed consent and sign the informed consent document.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Meeting current criteria for dependence on another psychoactive substance, excluding nicotine.
- Having any current Axis I psychiatric disorders and requiring treatment/medication for these conditions.
- Having significant underlying medical conditions requiring medication.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing.
Sites / Locations
- CT Mental Health Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Social Drinkers Depressive Symptoms
Social Drinkers No Depressive Symptoms
Alcohol Dependent, Non-Depressive
Alchohol Dependent Depressive Symptoms
30 non-dependent light socially drinking (SD) smokers with depressive symptoms will be recruited to participate in two laboratory sessions (Stress and Neutral / Relaxing). This arm will be exposed to both the personal stress imagery and neutral imagery interventions.
30 non-dependent light socially drinking (SD) smokers without depressive symptoms will be recruited to participate in two laboratory sessions (Stress and Neutral / Relaxing). This arm will be exposed to both the personal stress imagery and neutral imagery interventions.
30 treatment-engaged 28-day abstinent, alcohol dependent (AD) smokers, without Depressive symptoms. All AD subjects will either be admitted to the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU) of the Connecticut Mental Health Center for five weeks of inpatient stay and study participation (inpatient), or they will be scheduled for a two night stay on the CNRU following 3 weeks of abstinence (outpatient). This arm will be exposed to both the personal stress imagery and neutral imagery interventions.
30 treatment-engaged 28-day abstinent, alcohol dependent smokers with depressive symptoms. All AD subjects will either be admitted to the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU) of the Connecticut Mental Health Center for five weeks of inpatient stay and study participation (inpatient), or they will be scheduled for a two night stay on the CNRU following 3 weeks of abstinence (outpatient). This arm will be exposed to both the personal stress imagery and neutral imagery interventions.