Active clinical trials for "Alcoholism"

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 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.

Background: Interactive and mobile technology to manage alcohol use problem potentially provide continuing care by offering emotional and instrumental support anywhere and in time, but the effectiveness for maintaining abstinence has not been examined. the investigators will evaluate in this study whether the smartphone-based support system would improve outcomes for people in recovery for alcohol dependence. To enable continuous self-monitoring and self-management, the phone support system prompts subjects to take Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) tests using a phone application and a Bluetooth sensor unit. The system also offers instantaneous feedback, self-management strategies, and anonymous mutual social support from other subjects. Methods: This three-year project will be conducted in three stages, including pilot study, efficacy evaluation (12 week), and post-intervention follow-up (12 week) stage. Participants will be given a smartphone (if the subject does not have one), breathalyzer and training session. In the pilot study stage,10 subjects will be enrolled to validate the system. In the efficacy evaluation stage, the investigators will conduct a 12-week by enrolling 100 post-detoxification alcohol dependent patients who are randomized to (1) standard treatment (ST) group or (2) standard treatment plus phone-based support group (technology intervention, TI group). Participants will be assessed by Time-Line Follow-Back (TLFB) to record the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, visual analogue for craving, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Quality of life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and compared for outcome measures. After the 12-week trial, the investigators will take back the support system and follow the all subjects in both groups for another 12 weeks, i.e. post-intervention stage, to further understand the sustaining benefit from intervention. In addition, the investigators will identify the clinical variables or system factors that are associated with outcome measures. Expected results: In this study, the investigators expect that in treatment-seeking alcohol dependent patients, a smartphone-supported self-management program, adding on to conventional treatment, will be beneficial in improving the drinking outcomes such as a higher abstinence rate, a lower relapse rate, and a lower drinking frequency and quantity.

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.

To compare the clinical effectiveness, tolerability, and cost-effectiveness of topiramate to active control (naltrexone) on treatment outcomes for alcohol dependence in a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

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 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.

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

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

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.