A Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of tDCS) in Reducing Alcohol Consumption in Non-abstinent Patients (REDSTIM)

Exclusion Criteria

• •Breath-alcohol concentration \> 0 milligrams per litre of exhaled air at randomization (visit 1)
• •\< 6 heavy drinking days in the 4 weeks before randomization (European Medicines Agency, 2010; a day with alcohol consumption ≥ 60 g for men and ≥40 g for women)
• •An average alcohol consumption below medium risk level according to World health Organization (WHO) in the 4 weeks before screening (WHO, 2000; ≤40g/day for men; ≤20g/day for women),
• •More than 3-days abstinence prior to screening and randomization (screening visit and visit 1)
• •A Revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol score ≥ 10 (indicating the need for medication supported detoxification) at randomization (visit 1)
• •Concomitant treatment with disulfiram, acamprosate, topiramate, baclofen, naltrexone, and nalmefene (\<1 month)
• •History of pre-delirium tremens and delirium tremens
• •DSM-5 substance use disorder other than alcohol or nicotine use disorder
• •Acute psychiatric disorders that have required hospitalisation and/or immediate adjustment of psychotropic medications
• •Major depression, as defined by Hamilton Depression (HDRS) scale greater than or equal to 24
• •Recent change in psychotropic medication (\< 1 month)
• •Severe chronic psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, paranoia and bipolar disorder type I and II
• •Advanced liver, kidney, cardiac, or pulmonary disease or other acute serious or unstable medical condition that would compromise patient's participation in the study according to physician's judgment
• •Contra-indications to tDCS: metal in the head, implanted brain medical devices
• •Women who are pregnant or lactating
• •Women of childbearing potential with a positive urine β-human chorionic gonadotrophin pregnancy test at randomization (visit 1)
• •Concurrent participation in other trial
• •Employees of the investigator or trial site
• •Patients protected by law
• •Persons who are not covered by national health insurance
• •Patients, in the opinion of the investigation, not able to complete the TLFB and to complete their daily alcohol consumption in a diary (derived from the TLFB) during the 3 months of the study.
• •Patients who refused to sign "safety" agreement