Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health concern amongst Veterans as it causes poor health, lost days at work, impaired psychosocial functioning, and decreased quality of life. Current treatment options for AUD show limited effectiveness, which is exemplified by high relapse rates. Chronic heavy drinking results in psychological and physical distress during abstinence, including anxiety, irritability, and general discomfort, which increases the urge to drink to relieve these symptoms. The hypothesis of this study is that noninvasive vagal nerve stimulation (nVNS) can modify the perception of such inner bodily sensations of distress, and consequently reduces the drive to drink for relief. The aim of this study is to establish feasibility and acceptability of applying nVNS as a rehabilitative treatment for AUD in Veterans. The study will also evaluate the effect of nVNS on functional outcomes, quality of life, distress, and craving, and if nVNS alters neural activation patterns in brain regions involved in the perception and awareness of distress and pain.
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Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire (TAQ)
Timeframe: Measure administered at study completion (i.e., 1 week after baseline)
Measurement of Feasibility - Recruitment Goal (Data Reflects the Number of Participants Who Were Successfully Enrolled in the Study)
Timeframe: Baseline
Measurement of Feasibility - Treatment Adherence (Number of Times Subjects Self-administered nVNS/Sham Stimulation for 7 Days as Instructed)
Timeframe: Baseline to week 1 of 2x daily intervention
Measurement of Feasibility - Subject Retention (Number/Percentage of Subjects Who Return for a Follow-up Visit)
Timeframe: Baseline to post treatment, up to 21 days post baseline
Measurement of Feasibility - Serious Adverse Side Effects
Timeframe: Baseline to week 1 of 2x daily intervention