Effects of Pioglitazone on Stress Reactivity and Alcohol Craving

Inclusion Criteria:

- treatment-seeking individuals diagnosed with AUD diagnostic statistical manual 5
(DSM-5)

- fluent in English

- past month excessive alcohol use (>7 drinks/week for woman, >14 drinks/week for men,
>3 drinks/occasion for women>4 drinks/occasion for men)14

- baseline Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) or Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) core
indicative of mild to moderate anxiety (score 8 to 23) or moderate stress (score 14 to
26), respectively

- increase in alcohol craving following the baseline stress reactivity assessment.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Individuals will be excluded for exhibiting severe scores on the HAM-A, PSS, or
post-traumatic (PTSD) checklist (PCL-5) at the discretion of the admitting physician

- physical dependence on alcohol Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory (AUDIT) score
indicative of severe alcohol dependence (≥13 for women, ≥15 for men)

- greater than mild substance use disorder on drugs other than alcohol, nicotine, and
marijuana

- contraindications for taking pioglitazone; medical conditions contraindicating
pioglitazone pharmacotherapy or taking contraindicated medications

- be pregnant, nursing, or planning on becoming pregnant during the course of the study

- have any other illness, condition, or use of medications, which in the opinion of the
PI and/or admitting physician would preclude safe and/or successful completion of the
study.