Oxytocin, Alcohol Craving, and Intimate Partner Aggression



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:10/13/2018
Start Date:July 1, 2017
End Date:May 31, 2020
Contact:Julianne C Flanagan, Ph.D.
Email:Hellmuth@musc.edu
Phone:843-792-5569

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Effects of Oxytocin on Alcohol Craving and Intimate Partner Aggression

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) and intimate partner aggression (IPA) frequently co-occur. There
are significant health and economic burdens associated with AUD and co-occurring IPA, and
little empirical data to guide treatment efforts. The neuropeptide oxytocin may help mitigate
both AUD and IPA. However, clinical data examining oxytocin's effects on human aggression is
scant. The proposed study is designed to address these gaps in the literature by utilizing a
human laboratory paradigm to test the effects of oxytocin on craving and aggression among
couples with AUD and co-occurring IPA.


Inclusion Criteria:

- Inclusion criteria indicate that participants must

- aged 18 or over

- fluent in English

- endorse at least one instance of mild or moderate physical IPA with their partner in
the past 6 months as defined by the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2)

- both partners must be willing to participate

- one or both partners must meet DSM-V diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder
(AUD). Concurrent substance use disorders (e.g., marijuana) is acceptable provided
alcohol is the participant's primary substance of choice.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Exclusion criteria include

- pregnancy or breastfeeding

- current or history of psychiatric or medical condition that could interfere with
neuroendocrine function (e.g., hematological, endocrine, renal, or pulmonary disease;
synthetic glucocorticoid or exogenous steroid therapy; psychotic, bipolar, eating
disorders)

- BMI ≥ 39

- current suicidal ideation and intent

- severe physical or sexual IPA in the past six months as defined by the CTS-2

- initiation of psychotropic medication in the past 4 weeks

- acute alcohol withdrawal as indicated by a score of 8 or greater on the CIWA-Ar.
We found this trial at
1
site
171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
843-792-1414
Phone: 843-792-9383
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