Approach-Avoidance and Alcohol Challenge Study in PTSD

This study is looking at how alcohol affects decision-making in people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how this might lead to heavier drinking. You might be able to join if you are between 21 and 60 years old, have PTSD, and have had at least 3-4 alcoholic drinks on two occasions in the last year. Participants will drink beverages containing alcohol or a very low dose of alcohol (placebo). Researchers will measure how your choices change and look at brain activity to understand how alcohol might increase the risk of alcohol use problems in people with PTSD. The study aims to understand these connections over one year. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design: This interventional study plans to enroll 200 participants. It compares how people with PTSD, those exposed to trauma without PTSD, and healthy individuals respond to alcohol.
What's involved: Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Participants will be followed for one year to track alcohol use.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Approach-Avoidance and Alcohol Challenge Study in PTSD

Recruiting

NAAges 21–60InterventionalPrevention

University of Texas at Austin

~200 participants

Updated 2026-04-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:AlcoholPlacebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

ratio of approach to avoidance choices

Measured over 1 week

+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Alcohol Drinking

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Texas1

Study leadership

Elizabeth Lippard, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Texas at Austin
Josh Cisler, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Texas at Austin

Who to contact

Research Coordinator

[email protected]

5124955198

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

between 21 and 60 years of age

having consumed at least 4 (men) or 3 (women) drinks on at least two occasions over the last year

Exclusion

history of significant medical illness, particularly if possible changes in cerebral tissue

neurologic abnormality including significant head trauma (loss of consciousness of ≥5-min)

full Scale IQ \<85

contraindication to MRI scanning

positive pregnancy test

severe alcohol use disorder

current severe cannabis use disorder

any current substance use disorder (other than alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine)

scores \> 15 on the alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT; part of phone screen)

ever being in an abstinence-oriented treatment program for alcohol use

reporting wanting to quit drinking but not being able to

any medical, religious, or other reasons for not drinking alcohol

history of heart attack, heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes, or liver disease

an adverse reaction to alcoholic beverages

reporting never consuming 4 (men) or 3 (women) or more drinks on at least two occasions over the last year

unwillingness to have a friend or family member drive them home after the alcohol administration sessions

not taking medications for \>4 weeks (i.e. participants must be stable on meds)

acute suicidality with intent

any prior psychiatric hospitalizations

lifetime history of a neurodevelopmental disorder, affective disorder, psychotic disorder, suicide attempt, or eating disorder

greater than 1 month of lifetime psychotropic medication

What this trial measures

ratio of approach to avoidance choices1 week
the number of trials on which individuals chose to avoid vs approach will be quantified during the task and compared between placebo and alcohol conditions
changes in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex activation1 week
the degree of activation on high conflict trials (relative to low conflict trials) on the task in the dorsal anterior cingulate will be quantified and compared between the placebo and alcohol conditions
Relations between ratio of approach to avoidance choices with alcohol use over a one-year follow-up1 year
The relationship between the number of trials on which individuals chose to avoid vs approach during the alcohol session with alcohol use over a one-year follow up will be modeled. Number of drinks consumed per day over the course of the follow-up year will be used to calculate Area Under the Curve (AUC), with AUC as the dependent variable.
Relations between changes in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex activation with alcohol use over a one-year follow-up1 year
The relationship between the degree of activation on high conflict trials (relative to low conflict trials) on the task in the dorsal anterior cingulate during the alcohol session with alcohol use over a one-year follow up will be modeled. Number of drinks consumed per day over the course of the follow-up year will be used to calculate Area Under the Curve (AUC), with AUC as the dependent variable.

Trialytics