Active clinical trials for "Alcoholism"

The goal of this study is to test the efficacy of extended-release naltrexone and harm reduction counseling in reducing alcohol-related harm among homeless people with alcohol dependence.

The study uses neurobiological measures through brain imaging, neuropsychological measures, and selfreport measures to try to understand how an effective treatment for alcoholism works. On the whole, less than 50% of people with alcoholism get better with treatment. This study will help researchers develop better treatments for alcoholism because if the investigators know why the treatments the investigators use are working, and in whom the treatments work best, then the investigators may be able to make treatment more effective by targeting treatments to individuals who would be most likely to benefit and by guiding development of more effective treatments in the future.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the critical components of motivational interviewing (MI), a psychotherapeutic intervention, in reducing heavy or problematic drinking. The study will disaggregate MI into its component parts and test full MI compared to MI without its directive strategies. This study will test whether the directive elements of MI are critical or whether MI effects may be attributable solely to its Rogerian, non-directive components. For more information, go to http://caspirnyc.org/p_motion.html

Many people who are infected with Hepatitis C misuse alcohol, which is even more dangerous for them than it is for a non-infected person. In this VA study, such individuals will be screened and given feedback on their drinking using an Internet-based program which has been shown to reduce drinking in other populations. The research team will evaluate whether the program helps Veterans drink less over time and thereby improve their health.

The current study combines both clinical trial and daily process methodology to examine the dynamic longitudinal relationships between daily approach and avoidance inclinations (i.e., craving) and drinking behaviors in those diagnosed with an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) prior to, during, and after receiving a brief alcohol intervention. It is hypothesized that daily avoidance inclinations will significantly moderate the effect of daily approach inclinations on drinking behaviors, and that significant increases in avoidance inclinations will be observed prior to treatment entry, followed by significant decreases in approach inclinations during treatment.

It is proposed to test metadoxine (MTDX) that it is hypothesized to be significantly beneficial for the treatment of alcoholism and ALD. Metadoxine is currently approved in Europe for acute and chronic alcohol intoxication but has never been tested in the US. Furthermore, MTDX is used in Europe to treat ALD. Preliminary evidence shows that MTDX reduces alcohol consumption in AD individuals. If the role of MTDX in reducing alcohol consumption and improve liver function is confirmed by a rigorous study design, then MTDX might represent a truly innovative pharmacotherapy for AD, given the potential to be used for AD individuals with ALD. However until this proposal, MTDX has never been investigated as a treatment for AD able to reduce both alcohol consumption and improve alcohol-related liver damage via a double-blind placebo-controlled study. This project therefore proposes to conduct a 12-week (followed by a 3-month follow-up), double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subject randomized clinical trial with MTDX (500mg t.i.d.) in AD individuals.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ketamine in reducing depressive symptoms in subjects with a comorbid major depressive episode and alcohol dependence. The investigators hypothesize the following for the present study: A single dose of ketamine will induce a rapid, robust and sustained reduction in depressive symptoms in subjects with a comorbid major depressive episode and alcohol dependence relative to placebo as defined by change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total scores at 72 hours post infusion. A single dose of ketamine can be delivered safely, with minimal adverse events or complications, in subjects with a comorbid major depressive episode and alcohol dependence.

The investigators will evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive 12-week contingency management intervention for treating alcohol dependence for persons with severe mental illness who are seen within the context of a community mental health center setting. The primary contingency will be submission of alcohol-free urines. Additional reinforcers will be provided for intensive outpatient addiction treatment attendance. Reinforcers will be vouchers or actual items useful for day-to-day living. Participants will be 120 adults diagnosed with alcohol dependance and severe mental illness.

Prior research in substance dependence has suggested potential anti-craving effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) when applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The aim of the investigators study was to investigate the effect of high frequency rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex compared to sham stimulation on craving and alcohol consumption.

Contingency management (CM) treatments are highly efficacious in improving outcomes of substance abusing patients. However, CM has rarely been applied to individuals with alcohol use disorders, primarily because of technological limitations in monitoring drinking. The Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAMx®) is a new technology designed to continuously monitor alcohol consumption 24 hours a day for 7 days per week. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of CM in reducing alcohol use using SCRAMx. In total, 120 alcohol abusing or dependent patients initiating outpatient treatment at community-based clinics will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: standard care, or standard care plus CM with reinforcement based on results of SCRAMx readings. Compared with standard care, it is expected that CM will result in fewer drinking days and longer durations of continuous non-drinking days.