Active clinical trials for "Alcoholism"

Since memantine may not only inhibit overactivity of microglial cell, but also repair the damaged neurons and neurogenesis through activation of astroglial cell and release of neurotrophic factors, the investigators propose that the neurotrophic effect of memantine may benefit neurodegenerative diseases including bipolar disorders (BP) and alcohol dependence. In the current study, the investigator will investigate whether add-on memantine at a dose of 5 mg/day has a beneficial effect on BP comorbid with alcohol dependence.

The broad, long-term objective of the current research is to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol abuse and dependence (AUD). The purpose of which is to evaluate changes in both PTSD symptoms and alcohol use and cravings associated with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or Relapse Prevention (RP) treatment in individuals with PTSD/AUD, along with mediators and moderators of outcomes. The study will randomize 235 PTSD/AUD participants recruited from the VA and from the community to CPT, RP, or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) assessment only (AO). Those in the AO condition will be re-randomized after the treatment phase to either RP or CPT. Individuals will be assessed pretreatment, immediately post-treatment, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months post-treatment and will monitor symptoms daily throughout treatment.

The goal of this project is to test the efficacy of a computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention system adapted for Military use (cSBI-M) in reducing substance use among 18- to 25-yr-old U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personnel (USN/USMCs). The aims and hypotheses of this project are to: 1)Test the effects of cSBI-M on any alcohol use. Hypothesis: Among 18- to 25-yr-old USN/USMCs coming for routine health screenings, those receiving cSBI-M will have lower rates of any alcohol use at follow-ups compared to TAU. 2) Test the effects of cSBI-M separately as a preventive, early therapeutic, and risk-reduction intervention. Hypotheses: (a) Among 18- to 25-yr-old non-drinking USN/USMCs (negative history of past-12-months drinking at baseline), those receiving cSBI-M will have lower rates of drinking initiation and heavy episodic drinking (HED, a.k.a. "binge" drinking). (b) Among 18- to 25-yr-old drinking USN/USMCs, those receiving cSBI-M will have higher rates of drinking cessation, reduced intensity of drinking (e.g., past-3-months drinking days, HED, and driving after drinking or riding with a drinking driver.(3) Test the effects of cSBI-M on tobacco use; explore its effects on other drug use. (4) Assess potential moderators (e.g., age, gender, race/ethnicity, substance use history +/-, parent/sibling/peer substance use), mediators (e.g., Patient to Provider Connectedness,17 perceived harmfulness of alcohol and drug use), and explore cSBI-M's mechanism of action. Hypotheses: among 12- to 18-yr-old patients coming for routine care, those receiving c-ASBI will have 1) lower rates of any alcohol use, of drinking initiation and riding with a driver who has been drinking, and 2) higher rates of drinking cessation, reduced intensity of drinking, heavy episodic drinking and driving after drinking or riding with a driver who has been drinking.

The investigators hypothesize that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the right side of the head will make craving towards alcohol less severe in recently detoxified alcohol addicted patients. Although there are successful treatment option to detoxify patients form their alcohol use, many patients tend to relapse. This relapse is mainly caused by a high level of (uncontrollable) craving towards alcohol. This aspect of addiction is with the existing options hard to treat, there is a great need of new successful treatment modalities. rTMS is a FDA approved treatment method for depression. Recently some small scale studies have shown promising results on rTMS in the treatment of addiction. In this study the investigators focus on alcohol addiction since it is the addiction with the highest morbidity and mortality in the Netherlands.

The goal of this project is to test the effectiveness of a computer-facilitated alcohol screening and brief intervention (c-ASBI) system for 12- to 18-year-old primary care patients in a multi-site, randomized comparative effectiveness trial. The investigators hypothesize that, among 12- to 18-year olds patients coming for annual well-care, those receiving c-ASBI will have lower rates of any alcohol use at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups compared to Treatment As Usual (TAU).

The varenicline for alcohol dependence trial investigates the efficacy of varenicline versus placebo for maintaining abstinence in the postacute treatment of alcohol dependent subjects. The main study hypothesis is that subjects treated with varenicline have more abstinent days during the study.

Problem drinking gay and bisexual men who try to quit drinking are at risk for relapse to heavy or problematic drinking because their social lives and social outlets are often strongly associated with alcohol. These men are most receptive to interventions focused on moderation of drinking rather than abstinence. However moderation-oriented cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and naltrexone (NTX) are both well established treatments for problem drinkers who wish to moderate, rather than stop, drinking. Research suggests that combining these treatments may enhance their efficacy. This study combines moderation-oriented CBT with NTX in the treatment of problem drinking gay and bisexual men, who do not wish to abstain from alcohol, to evaluate their efficacy alone and in combination. We also propose to utilize new data collection technology, Interactive Voice Response, to collect data on daily relations among drinking, sexual behavior and psychological variables thought to mediate treatment response. Our objectives are to evaluation the efficacy of 12 weeks of randomly assigned treatment, with 100 mg of NTX or placebo, combined with brief supportive therapy or modified, behavioral self-control therapy specifically tailored to gay/bisexual men; to evaluate conditional relationships between heavy drinking and likelihood of HIV risk behavior; and to evaluate daily associations among mood, craving, self-efficacy, motivation, and drinking. Assessments will include baseline, 3, 6, & 9 month follow-up. A substudy of the treatment trial will be conducted to collect and bank samples from blood for research aimed at associating naturally occurring differences in DNA with patient response to NTX, and with potential mediational mechanisms of action of NTX. Information gathered on genes or gene products may be used in conjunction with data on clinical psychological factors obtained as part of the clinical trial to evaluate relationships among genetic variants, drug effects, and mechanisms of treatment response. Patients will be asked to give a blood sample at Week 0 of the clinical trial for the purpose of carrying out genetic research.

The study will explore the efficacy and tolerability of a regimen of NAC (2400 mg) versus placebo for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

The Safety, Tolerability and Role of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for the treatment of detoxified patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.

This study will explore the effectiveness and tolerability of Cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in an inpatient setting, in a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.