Oxytocin to Enhance Integrated Treatment for AUD and PTSD (COPE+OT)

April 3, 2026 updated by: Sudie Back, Medical University of South Carolina

Oxytocin to Enhance Integrated Exposure-Based Treatment of Co-occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and PTSD

The primary objective of the proposed Stage II study is to examine the efficacy of oxytocin (OT) as compared to placebo in reducing (1) alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms, and (2) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Veterans receiving COPE therapy (Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure). To evaluate purported neurobiological mechanisms of change, we will employ functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at pre- and post-treatment.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently co-occur and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures. Military Veterans are at increased risk for co-occurring AUD and PTSD, with prevalence rates 2-4 times higher than the general population. Our group developed an integrated intervention entitled Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure (COPE). COPE incorporates empirically validated cognitive-behavioral techniques for AUD with Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD. Several randomized controlled trials among Veterans and civilians demonstrate efficacy of COPE in significantly reducing AUD and PTSD symptoms. Despite the positive findings, there remains substantial room for improving treatment outcomes and enhancing retention. Accumulating data suggest that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is a promising candidate to enhance psychosocial interventions for co-occurring AUD and PTSD, as OT targets neurobiological and behavioral dysregulation common to both disorders. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate the ability of OT to ameliorate a variety of alcohol-related behaviors (e.g., craving, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, ethanol self-administration), enhance fear extinction, and promote prosocial behaviors associated with successful psychosocial treatment outcomes. In a randomized controlled pilot study, our group found that OT administration prior to weekly Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy sessions was safe, well-tolerated, and resulted in accelerated reduction in PTSD symptoms as compared to placebo. Although the empirical and theoretical support for augmenting psychosocial interventions such as COPE with OT is robust, no studies to date have examined this combined approach. The primary objective of the proposed Stage II study is to examine the efficacy of OT as compared to placebo in reducing (1) AUD symptoms, and (2) PTSD symptoms among Veterans (50% women) receiving COPE therapy. To accomplish this, we will employ a manualized, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral intervention (COPE); a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design; and standardized, repeated dependent measures of clinical outcomes at multiple time points. In addition, to investigate neurobiological mechanisms of change, we will employ functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at pre-and post-treatment .

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

175

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29401
        • Medical University of South Carolina

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Male or female; U.S. military Veteran, any race or ethnicity; aged 18-70 years.
  2. Able to provide written informed consent.
  3. Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for current moderate to severe alcohol use disorder.
  4. Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for current PTSD as assessed by the CAPS-5.
  5. Participants may also meet criteria for a mood disorder (except bipolar affective disorder, see Exclusion Criteria) or anxiety disorders. Concurrent substance use disorders (e.g., marijuana) are acceptable provided alcohol is the participant's primary substance of choice.
  6. Participants taking psychotropic medications will be required to be maintained on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks before study initiation.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Meeting DSM-5 criteria for a history of or current psychotic or bipolar affective disorders, or with current suicidal or homicidal ideation and intent. Those participants will be referred clinically for services.
  2. Participants on psychotropic medications which have been initiated during the past 4 weeks.
  3. Acute alcohol withdrawal as indicated by CIWA-Ar scores >8.
  4. Pregnancy or breastfeeding for women.
  5. For MRI scan component: history of seizures or severe head injury, implanted metal devices or other metal (e.g., shrapnel). These participants will be eligible to enroll in the clinical trial but will not be eligible to participate in the neuroimaging component of the study.
  6. Currently enrolled in behavioral treatment for AUD or PTSD.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Oxytocin Treatment Group

Participants will receive 12 weekly sessions of Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure (COPE Therapy), plus intranasal Oxytocin.

40-IU dose of Oxytocin self-administered 30 minutes prior to the start of each weekly COPE session.
Drug: 40 IU Intranasal Oxytocin
40 IU Intranasal Oxytocin self administered 30 minutes prior to each COPE session.
Other Names:
  • oxytocin
Behavioral: Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure
12 weekly sessions of COPE therapy for PTSD and AUD.
Other Names:
  • COPE
Active Comparator: Placebo Group

Participants will receive 12 weekly sessions of Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure (COPE Therapy), plus placebo (intranasal saline spray).

Intranasal dose of saline spray self-administered 30 minutes prior to the start of each weekly COPE session.
Behavioral: Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure
12 weekly sessions of COPE therapy for PTSD and AUD.
Other Names:
  • COPE
Drug: Placebo
Placebo (intranasal saline spray) self administered 30 minutes prior to each COPE session.
Other Names:
  • saline

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in alcohol use
Time Frame: From baseline to week 12 and 3 and 6 month follow ups
Change in percent days abstinent and heavy drinking days as measured by the TimeLine Follow-Back (TLFB).
From baseline to week 12 and 3 and 6 month follow ups
Change in PTSD symptom severity - clinician rated
Time Frame: From baseline to week 12 and 3 and 6 month follow ups
Change in clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity will be measured with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5).
From baseline to week 12 and 3 and 6 month follow ups
Change in PTSD symptom severity - self report
Time Frame: From baseline to week 12 and 3 and 6 month follow ups
Change in self-reported PTSD symptom severity will be measured with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).
From baseline to week 12 and 3 and 6 month follow ups

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Medical University of South Carolina

Collaborators

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Sudie Back, PhD, Medical University of South Carolina

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 29, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 19, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 19, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

August 24, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 3, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Pro00103198

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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