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CompletedNCT04873453Updated Oct 1, 2024

CBD for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

A Phase 2 interventional study of Cannabidiol and Placebo in Alcohol Use Disorder, sponsored by University of Colorado, Denver. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 21 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-10-01.

Sponsored by University of Colorado, Denver · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was May 2023, 3 years 4 months ago, and no results have been posted to the registry.
Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
45
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
21 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Study 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. 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.

02

Conditions studied

  • Alcohol Use Disorder

Keywords

  • Alcohol
  • Cannabidiol
  • CBD
  • Cannabis
03

In context

Alcoholism

1,606 studies on the registry are indexed under Alcoholism; 329 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 45 is below the median of 87 across 1,371 interventional studies indexed under Alcoholism.

Browse Alcoholism studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Colorado, Denver is the lead sponsor of 1,499 studies on the registry; 315 are open to participants now.

Of its 139 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 89 (64%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
21 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  1. Must be between 21-60 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. Currently seeking treatment for AUD.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Live within 35 miles of the study site.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Self-reported DSM-V diagnosis of any other substance use disorder.
  2. Use nicotine daily.
  3. Self-report use of cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, cannabis, or benzodiazepines in the last 30 days.
  4. 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.
  5. Endorsing an item on the RMTS-S 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 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.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
45 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Full-spectrum Cannabidiol

    150mg/day of full-spectrum cannabidiol, containing less than 0.3%THC.

    Drug: Cannabidiol

  • Experimental
    Broad-spectrum Cannabidiol

    150mg/day of broad-spectrum cannabidiol, containing 0%THC.

    Drug: Cannabidiol

  • Placebo comparator
    Placebo

    150mg/day of hemp-seed oil with no cannabinoids present.

    Drug: Placebo

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.

    Also known as: CBD

  • DrugPlacebo

    Placebo arm

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 0-4 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Cue-reactivity

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

    Time frame: 0-4 weeks

  2. Cue-reactivity

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

    Time frame: 4-8 weeks

  3. Cue-reactivity

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

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 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.

    Time frame: 0-4 weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Colorado Denver
    Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 1, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04873453
Lead sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 5, 2021
Start date
Aug 30, 2021
Primary completion
May 31, 2023
Completion
May 31, 2023
Last update
Oct 1, 2024

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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