Alcohol Abstinence

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a highly morbid condition affecting a substantial percentage of patients hospitalized who have alcohol use disorders, estimated at 5-6% of all hospitalized patients. Standard treatment paradigms for alcohol withdrawal syndrome have common and serious side effects, and do not fully address this condition's underlying pathophysiology. This study will examine the feasibility and safety of administering intravenous acetate, an alcohol metabolite and alternative brain fuel, as an adjunctive treatment for alcohol withdrawal in hospitalized patients that will to set the stage for future investigations of its efficacy as an adjunctive treatment in the hospital setting.

This study has two phases: Phase 1 is to examine blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers vs. alcohol abstainers/moderate drinkers. Phase 2 is to examine the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise training on blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of a telephone-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in assisting young adult drinkers with hazardous or harmful alcohol use (HH drinkers) to quit drinking. Hypothesis to be tested: Primary hypothesis: 1) those who receive telephone-based ACT will report a significantly higher biochemical validated abstinence than the control groups. Secondary hypotheses are that compared with the control groups, those who receive telephone-based ACT will show: 2) significantly higher self-reported 30-day abstinence, 3) significantly greater reduction in drinking, and 4) significantly higher psychological flexibility. Design and subjects: A Hong Kong randomized controlled trial with 2-arm waitlist controlled trial design on 288 individuals (aged 18-35 years, able to read Chinese and speak Cantonese, and with AUDIT scores≥8). Study instruments: Biochemical-validated abstinence (Urine strips), timeline Follow-Back questionnaire, self-reported 30-day abstinence and Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index, Short-Form 6 Dimensions and semi-structured interviews. Interventions: The intervention group(n=144) will receive 6-weekly telephone-based ACT. The waitlist control group (n=144) will receive 6-weekly telephone-based social support intervention. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome is biochemical-validated abstinence at the 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include self-reported 30-day abstinence alcohol reduction, and psychological flexibility at baseline, post-program, 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Data analysis: Descriptive statistics, generalized estimating equations, multiple imputation, intention-to-treat, per protocol analyses, and cost-effectiveness analysis. Expected results: The telephone-based ACT is effective in assisting HH drinkers to quit drinking.