Overview
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of pioglitazone on stress-induced relapse risk in a laboratory model and to examine the effects of pioglitazone on drinking, stress/anxiety, and alcohol craving in the natural environment
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- treatment-seeking individuals diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnostic (AUD) and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)
- fluent in English
- past month excessive alcohol use (>7 drinks/week for woman, >14 drinks/week for men, >3 drinks/occasion for women>4 drinks/occasion for men)
- exhibit baseline measures of either 1) 8-23 on HAM-A indicative of mild to moderate anxiety, 2) 14-26 on PSS Score indicative of moderate stress, or 3) ≥2 on Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ-R) questions related to drinking indicating that individuals drink at least "some of the time" to cope
- exhibit increased stress reactivity (increased physiological response and/or self-report) at the baseline stress reactivity assessment
- females will need to agree to use of barrier methods of contraception due to pioglitazone's effects on plasma concentrations of oral contraceptives
Exclusion Criteria:
- Exhibit severe scores on the HAM-A, PSS, or PTSD checklist (PCL-5) - may be enrolled at the discretion of the admitting physician (Dr. Weaver)
- physical dependence on alcohol (CIWAA > 10)
- greater than mild substance use disorder on drugs other than alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana
- contraindications for taking pioglitazone
- medical conditions (e.g., congestive heart failure, clinically significant edema, clinically significant liver disease, hypoglycemia, diabetes, history of bladder cancer)
- contraindicating pioglitazone pharmacotherapy or taking contraindicated medications (e.g., CYP2C8 inhibitors or inducers, antihyperglycemic medications)
- be pregnant, nursing, or planning on becoming pregnant during the course of the study
- have any other illness, condition, or use of medications, which in the opinion of the PI and/or admitting physician would preclude safe and/or successful completion of the study