Stress Reactivity as a Determinant in Co-occurring Alcohol Use and Anxiety Disorder: Diagnosis and Alcohol Use Outcomes

The objectives of the proposed research are to 1) evaluate the effect of co-occurring AnxD on the severity of biological stress-mood system dysregulations in AUD inpatients at pre-treatment, 2) evaluate the effect of co-occurring AnxD on the persistence of stress-mood system dysregulations in AUD inpatients in the months following treatment, 3) evaluate the effects of treatment on biological stress-mood system re-regulation among AUD patients with co-occurring AnxD, and 4) evaluate the effect of re-regulation change in biological stress-mood system function on AUD clinical outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Ability to provide informed consent
• Between the ages of 18 and 65
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual diagnosis of a Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or Social Anxiety Disorder within the past 30 days (AUD+AnxD group only).
• Primary alcohol use disorder diagnosis and alcohol use in the 30 days preceding the study (AUD alone and AUD+AnxD groups only).
• Inpatient treatment at Lodging Plus primarily for alcohol (vs. other drug with nicotine accepted) dependence (AUD alone and AUD+AnxD groups only).
• A minimum of a sixth-grade reading level.
• Healthy controls, same criteria absent AUD and AnxD diagnosis of an alcohol and/or anxiety disorder
• Lives within proximity to the Twin Cities (e.g., within about an hour's drive) or willing to drive to Fairview for the purpose of attending follow-up visits
• Willingness to provide contact information to confirm follow-up appointments

Exclusion criteria

• Lifetime history of psychosis or mania
• Cognitive impairment, physical impairment, or chronic medical illness that precludes study participation
• Primary PTSD as determined by qualifying assessment
• Females currently pregnant
• Exposure to antipsychotic medication for a total duration >16 weeks.
• Prior head injury leading to >30 minutes of unconsciousness.
• Cognitive impairment that impedes study participation.
• Healthy controls with a history of any major medical or psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, heart disease, or stroke).
• Suicide intent or attempt in the past 30 days
• Cardiovascular health issues
• Thyroid Disease
• History of severe neurological illness such as chronic seizure disorder (e.g, epilepsy) or stroke
• Brain tumor and/or implants in the skull cavity (e.g., plate in the skull)
• Pacemaker