Alcohol Use Research Study

Researchers at the University of Virginia are conducting a study on alcohol use for individuals who are overweight or obese and who are interested in reducing or quitting drinking.

Fast Facts

Regular Alcohol User Interested in Reducing or Quitting Use

Not Using Medication to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder or Obesity

Compensation Provided

Multiple Locations Available

Study Background

Researchers at the University of Virginia are studying how a medication may affect drinking habits and responses to alcohol in people who are overweight or obese and looking to cut back or quit drinking.

If you’ve been thinking about reducing or quitting drinking, this study may be an opportunity to explore a potential new approach. Researchers at these participating institutions are studying how a medication may influence alcohol use and drinking behaviors in people who are overweight or obese.

Participating Institutions:

  • University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Yale University (New Haven, CT)
  • University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora, CO)
  • Brown University (Providence, RI)
  • NIH-NIDA- Biomedical Research Center (Baltimore, MD)
  • Oklahoma State University Health Sciences (Tulsa, OK)
  • University of California Los Angeles
    (UCLA) (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Medical U. Of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
  • University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
  • Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research (North Canton, OH)
  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

By participating, you’ll be helping researchers to better understand how this medication affects alcohol consumption and whether it could support those looking to make a change. Your involvement could contribute to future treatment options for individuals working to reduce their drinking.

Study Background

Researchers at the University of Virginia are studying how a medication may affect drinking habits and responses to alcohol in people who are overweight or obese and looking to cut back or quit drinking.

If you’ve been thinking about reducing or quitting drinking, this study may be an opportunity to explore a potential new approach. Researchers at these participating institutions are studying how a medication may influence alcohol use and drinking behaviors in people who are overweight or obese.

Participating Institutions:

  • University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Yale University (New Haven, CT)
  • University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora, CO)
  • Brown University (Providence, RI)
  • NIH-NIDA- Biomedical Research Center (Baltimore, MD)
  • Oklahoma State University Health Sciences (Tulsa, OK)
  • University of California Los Angeles
    (UCLA) (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Medical U. Of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
  • University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
  • Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research (North Canton, OH)
  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

By participating, you’ll be helping researchers to better understand how this medication affects alcohol consumption and whether it could support those looking to make a change. Your involvement could contribute to future treatment options for individuals working to reduce their drinking.

Additional Information

This study is being done to evaluate how a medication affects alcohol consumption and responses to alcohol in people who are overweight or obese.

You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Regular alcohol user interested in reducing or quitting use
  • Able to not initiate additional behavioral therapy or counseling during the study
  • Engage in 3+ heavy drinking days per week


Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of diabetes
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Have a substance use disorder in the past 24 months other than alcohol or nicotine
  • Using medication to treat alcohol use disorder or obesity
  • Participated in another research study where an investigational product was given in the last 90 days

If you participate, you will attend approximately 13 study visits at one of these participating institutions:

  • University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Yale University (New Haven, CT)
  • University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora, CO)
  • Brown University (Providence, RI)
  • NIH-NIDA- Biomedical Research Center (Baltimore, MD)
  • Oklahoma State University Health Sciences (Tulsa, OK)
  • University of California Los Angeles
    (UCLA) (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Medical U. Of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
  • University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
  • Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research (North Canton, OH)
  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

During these visits, researchers will monitor your health and progress through vital sign measurements, ECGs, height and weight checks, blood and urine collection, and questionnaires. You will also review your medical history, receive the study medication, and provide informed consent before beginning the study.

As a participant, you will be compensated $50 per visit, for a total of up to $650 for completing all study visits.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.