NAC for Alcohol Use Disorder (NAC-AUD) Trial

Overview

The medical, psychological and social consequences of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are recognised as leading public health concerns, with 6000 deaths and 150,000 hospital admissions annually in Australia. Alcohol problems dominate presentations for drug and alcohol treatment, accounting for over 40% of the total. Current approaches to treatment have limited efficacy. A front line of treatment development to reduce alcohol consumption has been pharmacotherapies but existing medicines are either poorly tolerated, or only moderately effective. While there is evidence to show that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may be helpful to reduce drinking and craving in individuals with AUD, there is little understanding as to how this may occur.

This multi-site trial is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study where one group of participants will receive NAC and the other will receive a placebo medication. Participants will be given the medication for 12 weeks, and interviews are held with researchers who are unaware of group allocation. The two groups will be compared on their alcohol use, as well as other measures of change in well-being, mood and sleep. It is anticipated that the findings will contribute to evidence for the future use of NAC in the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

This study is currently recruiting.

Contact Us

If you would like further details about the trial or information on how to make a referral, please contact the study team [email protected] to learn more.

Project team

Turning Point team

Dr Shalini Arunogiri and Professor Dan Lubman.

Project partners

A/Prof Kirsten Morley (Edith Collins Centre, University of Sydney), Prof Paul Haber (University of Sydney), Prof Michael Berk (Deakin University), Prof Andrew Baillie (University of Sydney), Prof Jason Connor (University of Queensland), A/ Prof Tim Slade (University of Sydney), Dr Mary Lou Chatterton (Monash University), and A/Prof Paul Clark (Princess Alexandra Hospital)

Our Sponsor

This trial is sponsored by the University of Sydney.