Understanding motivations for self-administering alcohol in people with alcohol use disorder

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore the motivations behind alcohol self-administration in individuals aged 21 to 65 with alcohol use disorder. Participants will undergo intravenous alcohol administration followed by a progressive ratio self-administration task, where they will press a button to receive doses of alcohol. The study will assess how factors such as desire for reward, emotions, and cognitive functioning influence their motivation to consume alcohol. Additionally, participants will complete questionnaires and provide blood samples for biomarker analysis related to stress and inflammation.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

To be included in the study, participants must:

1. Be between the ages of 21 and 65
2. Have self-reported alcohol use in the past 30 days
3. Meet current (i.e., past 12 months) DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder mild-to-severe

Exclusion Criteria:

To be included in the study, participants must not:

1. Currently be treatment seeking, in treatment for alcohol use, or have a history of treatment in the 30 days prior to consent
2. Have current (last 12 months) DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder for any psychoactive substances other than alcohol and nicotine
3. Have a lifetime DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or any other psychotic disorder
4. Have current suicidal ideation or lifetime history of suicide attempt as reported on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
5. Have a positive urine screen for drugs other than cannabis
6. Be pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant while taking part in the study; and must agree to one of the following methods of birth control (if female), unless she or partner are surgically sterile:

   * Oral contraceptives
   * Contraceptive sponge
   * Patch
   * Double barrier
   * Intrauterine contraceptive device
   * Etonogestrel implant
   * Medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injection
   * Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring
   * Complete abstinence from sexual intercourse
7. Have clinically significant abnormalities identified in the physical exam that may interfere with safe study participation (e.g. unstable cardiac, renal, or liver disease; diabetes; uncontrolled hypertension; or HIV)
8. Exceed Grade 2 laboratory abnormalities, based on FDA Guidance Document "Toxicity Grading Scale for Healthy Adult and Adolescent Volunteers Enrolled in Preventive Vaccine Clinical Trials"
9. Currently use any medications known to interact with alcohol, including: antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, benzodiazepines, medications for diabetes, and medications that affect alcohol metabolism
10. Have an intense fear of needles or have had adverse reactions to needle puncture
11. Have any other circumstances that, in the opinion of the investigators, would not be a good fit for study participation

Exclusion Criteria for Experimental Visit

To participate in the IV alcohol administration, participants must not:

1. Have a BrAC \> 0.000 g/dl
2. Have clinically significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms as indicated by a score ≥ 10 on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-R)
3. Exceed Grade 2 clinical vital sign abnormalities, based on FDA Guidance Document "Toxicity Grading Scale for Healthy Adult and Adolescent Volunteers Enrolled in Preventive Vaccine Clinical Trials"

Where it's running

• University of California, Los Angeles
  Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jessica Jenkins, MS
• Email: jenkinsj@ucla.edu
• Phone: 310-206-6756

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Emotional Reactivity in Severe Alcohol Use Disorder and Depression Using Eye-Tracking and Physiological Measures

  This study tests how people with severe alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, both conditions, or neither, recognize and react to emotions using eye-tracking and physiological data.

  Recruiting Université Catholique de Louvain · Brussels, Belgium · NCT07925281

• Thiamine to reduce brain injury in adults with alcohol use disorder

  This trial tests whether thiamine can help protect the brain in adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who drink daily.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France · Paris, Île-de-France Region · NCT07844720

• Digital Recovery Support for Black adults with Alcohol Use Disorder in Detroit

  This study tests whether a smartphone-based digital recovery program helps Black or African American adults in Detroit maintain their recovery from alcohol use disorder.

  Recruiting Brandeis University · Detroit, Michigan · NCT07724275

• Path180: a computer-based skills program to help teens reduce alcohol use

  This 8-week trial tests Path180, a computer-based skills training, added to usual care for teens 13–19 with alcohol use disorder to see if it improves daily-life coping skills and outcomes.

  Recruiting Brown University · Providence, Rhode Island · NCT07713251

• Effects of comorbidity on people with severe mental illness

  This study tests how having both alcohol/substance use and a severe mental illness affects hospitalizations, medications, and social participation among adults followed at a mental health center.

  Recruiting Abant Izzet Baysal University · Bolu, Bolu · NCT07692984

• Psilocybin in Alcohol Use Disorder with Depression (Relapse Prevention)

  This study tests whether higher-dose psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy helps prevent relapse in adults with severe alcohol use disorder and depressive symptoms after detox.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes · Bayonne and 7 other locations · NCT07638553

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.