Actively Recruiting
Advancing Couple and Family Alcohol Treatment Through Patient-Oriented Research and Mentorship
Led by Medical University of South Carolina · Updated on 2026-04-03
140
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
291 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that results in significant health and economic burdens including mortality, morbidity, and poor treatment outcomes. A well-developed field of research suggests that alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to IPV. Individuals with PTSD and/or problematic drinking behaviors are at risk for IPV because of several factors that are common symptoms of PTSD. Because individuals with PTSD often drink alcohol to "self-medicate" or cope with distressing PTSD symptoms, PTSD co-occurs with alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder at extraordinarily high rates. However, few studies have examined the combined effects of alcohol misuse and PTSD on any form of violence. This study will examine the effects of alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on alcohol-related intimate partner violence (IPV). We will examine these associations among couples (N=70) in a controlled laboratory setting using validated, standardized methods in a 'real-world' settings using 28 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Advancing Couple and Family Alcohol Treatment Through Patient-Oriented Research and Mentorship
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Any gender identity; any race or ethnicity; ages 21 years or older.
- Report at least 2 heavy drinking episodes in the past 30 days (4+ drinks for women, 5+ drinks for men within 2 hours).
- Consumed alcohol equal to or more than the standard dose given in the lab for their weight.
- At least one instance of physical intimate partner violence in the current relationship reported by one partner.
- Agree not to drive or operate machinery on the day of the experimental visit; transportation provided if needed.
- One or both partners in half the couples must meet criteria for PTSD or subthreshold PTSD.
You will not qualify if you...
- Possible drug use disorder (except caffeine or nicotine) based on DSM-5 criteria; recent recreational drug use like cannabis is allowed.
- Severe alcohol use disorder as per DSM-5 criteria (applies to those receiving alcohol administration).
- History or current diagnosis of psychotic or bipolar disorders.
- Current suicidal or homicidal ideation and intent.
- Psychiatric or medical conditions that contraindicate alcohol administration.
- Body weight over 250 lbs (applies to those receiving alcohol administration).
- Use of medications such as lithium, methadone, alpha or beta blockers, or cholinergic/anticholinergic drugs that affect cardiovascular responses (applies to those receiving alcohol administration).
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Severe or one-sided partner violence in the past 6 months as measured by CTS-2.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Stacey Sellers
CONTACT
J
Julianne Flanagan
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
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