High-dose Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation for the Treatment of Alcohol Addiction

Theta Burst Zur Behandlung Der Alkoholabhängigkeit

This is a two-arm randomized placebo-controlled trial in which 72 patients with alcohol addiction are treated with high-dose accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (TBS).

Inclusion Criteria:

• alchohol dependence according to ICD-10 (F10.2)
• desire to reduce or abstain from alcohol drinking
• male or female
• 18-65 years
• residency in Germany, German speaking
• written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• contraindications for transcranial magnetic stimulation (electric devices or metal parts in the body such as pacemaker)
• relevant neurological or internistic diseases according to study investigator
• treatment with TMS in the past
• participation in other trials during treatment
• pregnancy or breatfeeding
• positive breath test for alcohol
• legal care and placement in a psychiatric hospital
• co-medication with disulfiram, acamprosate, topiramate, baclofen, naltrexone, or nalmefene
• acute psychiatric comorbidity that requires inpatient treatment or medication readjustment (<1 month)
• severe chronic psychiatric illness (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder)
• patients who are unable to complete study questionnaires or follow-up questionnaires (in the opinion of the investigators)