Blocking Orexin Receptors to Help Treat Alcohol Addiction and Stress-Driven Drinking
Purpose
This study will look at whether suvorexant can help treat alcohol use disorder, how it works, and who it works best for. Suvorexant is a medicine that blocks certain brain signals linked to wakefulness.
Your total participation time in this study will be approximately 9 weeks.
Could this study be right for you?
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age 18-65
2. Participant is able to give informed consent
3. Engage in heavy alcohol use defined as drinking ≥14 standard drinks per week if male and ≥7 standard drinks per week if female.
General - Exclusion Criteria
1. Clinically significant medical or neurological condition (e.g., liver disease, narcolepsy, complex sleep behaviors, severe hepatic impairment, COPD, severe obstructive sleep apnea)
2. Current or past DSM-5 diagnosis of mania, schizophrenia, psychosis
3. Past suicide attempt within 3 years or presence of moderate suicidal ideation
4. Engage in night-shift work