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Alcohol Use Disorder and Cannabidiol

Alcohol Use Disorder and Cannabis: Testing Novel Harm Reduction Strategies

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05613608
Enrollment
180
Registered
2022-11-14
Start date
2023-04-30
Completion date
2027-04-01
Last updated
2026-06-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder

Keywords

alcohol, cannabidiol, cbd, cannabis

Brief summary

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study designed to assess the efficacy of full spectrum CBD and broad spectrum CBD, compared to a placebo control (PC), to reduce drinking in participants with alcohol use disorder. If eligible for the study, subjects will be randomized to receive one of the conditions for 12 weeks.

Detailed description

To better understand the effects of hemp-derived CBD with and without a small amount of THC, we propose a Phase II randomized clinical trial (RCT) to examine the safety, tolerability, and clinical effects of Full Spectrum CBD (fsCBD, contains less than 0.3% THC) vs. Broad Spectrum CBD (bsCBD, does not contain THC), vs. a matching placebo in a population of AUD subjects. This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study designed to assess the efficacy of fsCBD and bsCBD, compared to a placebo control, to reduce drinking in participants with moderate alcohol use disorder according to the DSM-V. If eligible for the study, subjects will be randomized to receive one of the conditions for 12 weeks. The current study will test the hypothesis that a moderate dose of CBD leads to a reduction in alcohol consumption, alcohol craving, peripheral markers of inflammation, and anxiety. It is further hypothesized that CBD will lead to increased sleep duration and quality among individuals with AUD who want to quit or reduce their drinking. The study will also determine whether the small amount of THC found in full spectrum hemp-derived CBD products produces any negative effects.

Interventions

DRUGCannabidiol

The current study will directly test the hypothesis that a moderate dose of CBD leads to a reduction in alcohol consumption, alcohol craving, peripheral markers of inflammation, and anxiety.

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo arm.

Sponsors

University of Colorado, Denver
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Must be ≥21 years old. 2. Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V) criteria for current Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) of at least moderate severity (i.e., 4 or more DSM-V symptoms). 3. Expresses desire to reduce or quit drinking. 4. If male, reports drinking, on average, at least 15 standard alcoholic drinks per week prior to screening; if female, reports drinking, on average, at least 10 standard drinks per week prior to screening, or if a male respondent reports consuming 5 or more alcoholic drinks on at least one drinking day per week on average (4 or more if female). 5. Able to attend in-person visits at the study site. 6. Participants reporting current nicotine use in any form will be included.

Exclusion criteria

1. Self-reported DSM-V diagnosis of any other substance use disorder. 2. Self-report illicit/recreational use of cocaine, methamphetamines, amphetamines, MDMA, opioids, or benzodiazepines in the last 30 days. 3. Uses CBD products for medical reasons. 4. Self-reports or indicates having a serious DSM-V psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, cluster B personality disorders (borderline, antisocial, histrionic, narcissistic), eating disorders, or any other psychotic mental disorder. 5. Endorsing item 2 on the C-SSRS measure of suicide risk. 6. Currently taking any of the following medications: 1. Those known to have a major interaction with Epidiolex. 2. Acute treatment with any antiepileptic medications. 3. Medication known to affect alcohol intake (e.g., disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, and/or topiramate). 7. Self-reported history of severe alcohol withdrawal (e.g., seizure, delirium tremens). 8. Clinically significant medical problems in the last six months, such as cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, or endocrine problems, that would impair participation or limit medication ingestion. 9. Current or past alcohol-related medical illness, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, hepatocellular disease, or peptic ulcer. 10. Females of childbearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, or who are not using a reliable form of birth control. 11. Current charges pending for a violent crime (not including DUI-related offenses). 12. Lack of a stable living situation. 13. Lack of access to internet.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Drinks per Drinking Day0-12 weeksThe Time Line Follow Back is a calendar-assisted measure that can be used to assess alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substance use. The investigators will use this measure to create the Drinks per Drinking Day variable.
Change in Alcohol Use Disorder0-12 weeksThe AUDIT consists of ten questions that cover such domains as alcohol consumption, drinking behavior, adverse psychological reactions, and alcohol-related problems.
Change in Alcohol Craving0-12 WeeksThe Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) will be used to assess changes in alcohol craving.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Cue-reactivity0-12 weeksCue-elicited urge to drink will be assessed using the cue-reactivity assessment, per protocol (Hutchison, 2006).
Change in Anxiety0-12 weeksThe Depression Anxiety Stress Scale is a 21-item self-report instrument for measuring the three related negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and tension/stress. Participants rate their anxiety on a scale from 1 (Did not apply to me at all) to 4 (Applied to me very much/most of the time), with higher scores indicating worse outcomes.
Change in Pain Levels0-12 weeksThe PROMIS Numeric Rating Scale v1.0 - Pain Intensity - 1a consists of a single item rating pain on average over the past 7 days from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain you can think of). Participants are also asked to rate the impact of their pain in the last 7 days. The PROMIS Short Form v1.1 - Pain Interference - 6b rates pain on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much), as it refers to the degree to which pain limits or interferes with subjects' physical, mental, and social activities.
Change in Sleep Disturbance0-12 weeksThe PROMIS Short Form v.1.0 - Sleep Disturbance - 4a will be used to measure self-reported perceptions of sleep quality, depth, and restoration within the past seven days. This includes perceived difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep, as well as sleep satisfaction.
Change in Impaired Control Scale (ICS)0-12 WeeksThe Impaired Control Scale will assess impulsivity, awareness of compulsion to drink, and control over drinking behavior.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTRaeghan Mueller, PhD
raeghan.mueller@cuanschutz.edu3037242210
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORKent Hutchison, PhD

University of Colorado, Denver

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 16, 2026