Drinking Behavior and Guanfacine Study
Yale University researchers are partnering with individuals who want to stop or cut down on drinking alcohol for a treatment research study. Help further clinical research by joining today!
Fast Facts
Consume 3+ Alcoholic Drinks Per Week
21-70
Years Old
Compensation
Provided
Conducted in
New Haven, CT
Study Background
How does guanfacine affect drinking behavior in people who want to quit or cut back?
In this study, we are seeking individuals who are interested in reducing or cutting back their drinking behavior. We will be looking at how the medication Intuniv (guanfacine) influences drinking behavior. Guanfacine is a medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high blood pressure and ADHD.
If you decide to participate in the study, you will receive either the study medication or a placebo, which is a sugar pill. You can earn up to $2,017 for completing all phases of the study.
We hope that eventually, the findings from this study will provide better treatment options for people who want to stop or reduce their drinking. Help advance research and join our study today!
Study Background
How does guanfacine affect drinking behavior in people who want to quit or cut back?
In this study, we are seeking individuals who are interested in reducing or cutting back their drinking behavior. We will be looking at how the medication Intuniv (guanfacine) influences drinking behavior. Guanfacine is a medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high blood pressure and ADHD.
If you decide to participate in the study, you will receive either the study medication or a placebo, which is a sugar pill. You can earn up to $2,017 for completing all phases of the study.
We hope that eventually, the findings from this study will provide better treatment options for people who want to stop or reduce their drinking. Help advance research and join our study today!
Additional Information
The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the effects of guanfacine for reducing drinking behaviors.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 21-70 years old
- Consume 3+ drinks per week
- Interested in reducing or cutting back on alcohol
- Not currently in treatment for alcohol use or have a history of serious withdrawal
- Able to take oral medications and commit to following the prescribed medication regimen for the study
- Not pregnant or nursing
- Not taking blood pressure medications
This study consists of three phases.
Phase 1
The first phase involves an interview to determine your eligibility. During this time, you will be asked questions about your drinking and health history and you will fill out some paperwork. You should know that there are mandatory drug screens at every appointment. If you are positive for any medications or illegal substances that you didn’t report before coming in, you will be dismissed immediately without pay. If you are eligible based on this first appointment, you will then be scheduled for a physical exam. If you are eligible following the physical exam, you will then begin Phase 2 of the study.
Phase 2
Phase 2 involves a 3-week medication period and three laboratory sessions. During the 3-week medication period, you’ll be randomly assigned to take either Intuniv or a placebo. Each week you’ll attend an outpatient visit and be contacted by phone on separate days. You will then attend 3 laboratory sessions.
During the lab sessions, you will be drinking alcohol, filling out questionnaires, and have an IV inserted for blood draws. When you are not doing anything for the study, you can watch television, watch movies, read, bring in things to work on (homework, crossword puzzles, etc.), or work on any hobbies you might have in the privacy of your own room.
Phase 3
The third phase, which is the treatment phase, will begin once you have completed all 3 lab sessions. You will return to our office weekly for 6 weeks and meet with a psychologist who will talk with you about your goal of reducing alcohol use. You will continue taking the medication during these 6 weeks. You will be provided with a Garmin wristband and Android smartphone to use for the 6 weeks to track stress and drinking behavior. You will wear the Garmin and interact with the smartphone daily. At the end of the 6-week treatment phase, you will be given a 5 day taper supply of the medication to safely stop taking the medication.
You will return to our office for follow-up appointments 1 and 3 months after the 6-week treatment phase has ended.
As a participant, you can receive up to $2,017 for completing the entire study.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.