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Alcohol Use DisorderPhase 2NCT04873453

CBD for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

A Phase 2 study testing Cannabidiol in people with Alcohol Use Disorder, run by University of Colorado, Denver at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study designed to assess the efficacy of full spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) and broad spectrum CBD, compared to a placebo control (PC), to reduce drinking in participants with moderate alcohol use disorder according to the DSM-V. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 21 to 60 years
Conditions the study is for
Alcohol Use Disorder
What is being tested?
Cannabidiol
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
45 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
30 Aug 2021to 31 May 2023
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 21 to 60 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Must be between 21-60 years old.
  • 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).
  • Currently seeking treatment for AUD.
  • If male, reports drinking, on average, at least 21 standard alcoholic drinks per week prior to screening; if female, reports drinking, on average, at least 14 standard drinks per week prior to screening.
  • Have at least one heavy drinking day (4 or more drinks per day for women/5 or more drinks per day for men) during the 7-day period prior to screening.
  • Live within 35 miles of the study site.

Who cannot join

  • Self-reported DSM-V diagnosis of any other substance use disorder.
  • Use nicotine daily.
  • Self-report use of cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, cannabis, or benzodiazepines in the last 30 days.
  • Report having or being treated for a current DSM-V Axis I diagnosis, including major depression, panic disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, or any other psychotic or organic mental disorder.
  • Endorsing an item on the RMTS-S measure of suicide risk.
  • Currently taking any of the following medications:
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  • Those known to have a major interaction with Epidiolex.
  • Acute treatment with any antiepileptic medications.
  • Medication known to affect alcohol intake (e.g., disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, and/or topiramate).
  • Self-reported history of severe alcohol withdrawal (e.g., seizure, delirium tremens).
  • Clinically significant medical problems such as cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, or endocrine problems that would impair participation or limit medication ingestion.
  • Current or past alcohol-related medical illness, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, hepatocellular disease, or peptic ulcer.
  • Females of childbearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, or who are not using a reliable form of birth control.
  • Current charges pending for a violent crime (not including DUI-related offenses).
  • Lack of a stable living situation.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Colorado Denver

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Tolerability and Efficacy of Hemp-Derived CBD for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study designed to assess the efficacy of full spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) and broad spectrum CBD, compared to a placebo control (PC), 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 8 weeks.

Read the detailed description

The current study will directly test the hypothesis that a moderate dose of cannabidiol (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. The hypotheses are grounded in previous studies suggesting that CBD reduces the reinforcing properties of alcohol and decreases drinking motivation and consumption (Viudez-Martínez, García-Gutiérrez, Fraguas-Sánchez, et al., 2018). Further, CBD has shown clinical promise for tobacco, cannabis, and opioid use disorders (Hurd, 2017; Hurd et al., 2015; Prud'homme et al., 2015), and evidence indicates that these effects may be due to the ability of CBD to reduce cue-induced craving and anxiety (Gonzalez-Cuevas et al., 2018; Hurd et al., 2019). The hypotheses are also grounded in the pre-clinical literature suggesting that CBD may modulate the immune system and have anti-inflammatory effects which also helps to reduce harm associated with alcohol and may have a positive effect on those attempting to quit. Other potential mechanisms that might underlie the effects of CBD include a reduction in the severity of acute withdrawal, a reduction in protracted withdrawal, and the neuroprotective effects of CBD. Given the background literature with respect to CBD and AUDs, a logical next step is for human studies to address these questions.

To better understand the effects of hemp-derived CBD with and without a small amount of THC, the investigators 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 (PC), 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 8 weeks.

To minimize risk of COVID transmission, the investigators will utilize Zoom for weekly subject check-ins and our Mobile Pharmacology Lab (MPL) for the collection of blood samples and clinical data for the majority of in-person visits. The initial Week 0 / Baseline visit will take place at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. There will be MPL follow-up visits at Weeks 1, 4, and 8. Participants will be contacted by Zoom each remaining week during the 8-week period. A follow up Zoom interview will occur in Week 16 approximately 8 weeks after the end of dosing.

Overall, the clinical study is expected to take 1-2 years to complete enrollment and data analysis.

Being tested
Cannabidiol, Placebo
Keywords
Alcohol, Cannabidiol, CBD, Cannabis
Medical subject headings
Alcoholism, Marijuana Abuse

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • CannabidiolDrug

    Also called CBD

    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.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Placebo arm

Study groups in NCT04873453
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Full-spectrum CannabidiolActive comparator150mg/day of full-spectrum cannabidiol, containing less than 0.3%THC.
Receives: Drug: Cannabidiol
Broad-spectrum CannabidiolExperimental150mg/day of broad-spectrum cannabidiol, containing 0%THC.
Receives: Drug: Cannabidiol
PlaceboPlacebo comparator150mg/day of hemp-seed oil with no cannabinoids present.
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Drinks per Drinking Day

    The 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.

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  2. Drinks per Drinking Day

    The 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.

    Measured: 0-16 weeks

  3. Drinks per Drinking Day

    The 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.

    Measured: 0-4 weeks

  4. Drinks per Drinking Day

    The 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.

    Measured: 4-8 weeks

  5. Alcohol Dependence/Craving

    The Alcohol Dependence Scale measures the severity of alcohol dependence. Possible scores range from 0 to 47 with higher scores indicating a worse outcome/more severe symptoms of alcohol dependence. The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) measures alcohol craving. Possible scores range from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate greater craving.

    Measured: 0-16 weeks

  6. Alcohol Dependence/Craving

    The Alcohol Dependence Scale measures the severity of alcohol dependence. Possible scores range from 0 to 47 with higher scores indicating a worse outcome/more severe symptoms of alcohol dependence. The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) measures alcohol craving. Possible scores range from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate greater craving.

    Measured: 4-8 weeks

  7. Alcohol Dependence/Craving

    The Alcohol Dependence Scale measures the severity of alcohol dependence. Possible scores range from 0 to 47 with higher scores indicating a worse outcome/more severe symptoms of alcohol dependence. The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) measures alcohol craving. Possible scores range from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate greater craving.

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  8. Alcohol Dependence/Craving

    The Alcohol Dependence Scale measures the severity of alcohol dependence. Possible scores range from 0 to 47 with higher scores indicating a worse outcome/more severe symptoms of alcohol dependence. The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) measures alcohol craving. Possible scores range from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate greater craving.

    Measured: 0-4 weeks

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Cue-reactivity

    Cue-elicited urge to drink will be assessed using the cue-reactivity assessment, per protocol (Hutchison, 2006).

    Measured: 0-4 weeks

  2. Cue-reactivity

    Cue-elicited urge to drink will be assessed using the cue-reactivity assessment, per protocol (Hutchison, 2006).

    Measured: 4-8 weeks

  3. Cue-reactivity

    Cue-elicited urge to drink will be assessed using the cue-reactivity assessment, per protocol (Hutchison, 2006) .

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  4. Anxiety

    The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure three related negative emotional states and yields three subscale scores for depression, anxiety and tension/stress. Possible scores on the anxiety subscale range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of anxiety.

    Measured: 0-4 weeks

  5. Anxiety

    The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure three related negative emotional states and yields three subscale scores for depression, anxiety and tension/stress. Possible scores on the anxiety subscale range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of anxiety.

    Measured: 4-8 weeks

  6. Anxiety

    The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure three related negative emotional states and yields three subscale scores for depression, anxiety and tension/stress. Possible scores on the anxiety subscale range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of anxiety.

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  7. Anxiety

    The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure three related negative emotional states and yields three subscale scores for depression, anxiety and tension/stress. Possible scores on the anxiety subscale range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of anxiety.

    Measured: 0-16 weeks

  8. Subjective Pain Level

    The Adult PROMIS Numerical Rating Scale v1.0 Pain Intensity 1a measures the severity of subjective pain. Possible scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of subjective pain.

    Measured: 0-4 weeks

  9. Subjective Pain Level

    The Adult PROMIS Numerical Rating Scale v1.0 Pain Intensity 1a measures the severity of subjective pain. Possible scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of subjective pain.

    Measured: 4-8 weeks

  10. Subjective Pain Level

    The Adult PROMIS Numerical Rating Scale v1.0 Pain Intensity 1a measures the severity of subjective pain. Possible scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of subjective pain.

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  11. Subjective Pain Level

    The Adult PROMIS Numerical Rating Scale v1.0 Pain Intensity 1a measures the severity of subjective pain. Possible scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of subjective pain.

    Measured: 0-16 weeks

  12. Sleep Quality

    The Adult PROMIS Short Form v1.0 Sleep Disturbance 4a measures the severity of sleep disturbances. Possible scores range from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of sleep disturbance.

    Measured: 0-16 weeks

  13. Sleep Quality

    The Adult PROMIS Short Form v1.0 Sleep Disturbance 4a measures the severity of sleep disturbances. Possible scores range from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of sleep disturbance.

    Measured: 0-8 weeks

  14. Sleep Quality

    The Adult PROMIS Short Form v1.0 Sleep Disturbance 4a measures the severity of sleep disturbances. Possible scores range from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of sleep disturbance.

    Measured: 4-8 weeks

  15. Sleep Quality

    The Adult PROMIS Short Form v1.0 Sleep Disturbance 4a measures the severity of sleep disturbances. Possible scores range from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of sleep disturbance.

    Measured: 0-4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 May 2021
  2. Study start30 Aug 2021
  3. Primary completion31 May 2023
  4. Study completion31 May 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study.
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
45 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04873453
Sponsor's protocol ID
20-2694
Status last verified
Sep 2024
First submitted
20 Apr 2021
Last updated
1 Oct 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Mueller RL, Hooper JF, Ellingson JM, Olsavsky AK, Rzasa-Lynn R, Bryan AD, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE. A preliminary randomized trial of the safety, tolerability, and clinical effects of hemp-derived cannabidiol in alcohol use disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2025 Apr 28;16:1516351. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1516351. eCollection 2025.

    PubMed 40357520

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Cannabidiol in people with Alcohol Use Disorder, run by University of Colorado, Denver at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Oct 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Drinks per Drinking Day (time frame: 0-8 weeks). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04873453, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Oct 2024.

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