Testing a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Adults between 18 and 70 years old inclusively
• •2. Diagnosed with AUD in the past year (according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID)25). This will include active drinkers and recently abstained drinkers.
• •3. has a minimum of two episodes of heavy drinking (≥5 drinks in a single day for men and ≥4 drinks in a single day for women) in the past 30 days as used in other trials26
• •4. Diagnosed with current (past 30 days) PTSD with the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) on screening27
• •5. On an antidepressant as treatment of PTSD (to ensure safety and homogeneity as PTSD treatment of study population). Antidepressants are the first-line treatment for PTSD as well major depression which commonly comorbid PTSD. The presence of antidepressants in study recruitment criteria will ensure additional safety if the trauma focused therapy triggered emotional distress which could temporarily activate depressive symptoms. The presence of antidepressants in all study participants will also ensure proper evaluation of the effect of propranolol without any confounders effect.
• •6. Agrees (if the participant is female and of childbearing potential) to use at least one of the following highly effective methods of contraception, such as hormonal contraceptives (e.g. combined oral contraceptives, patch, vaginal ring, injectables, and implants); intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS); vasectomy and tubal ligation or alternatively double barrier method.
• •7. Agrees not to start any other therapy including self-help group during the trial period. Exception will be made for participants who had already started therapy and have been attending the sessions for at least 6 months.
• •8. Agrees not to start any anti-craving medications for alcohol use during the trial period. Exception will be made for participants who were already taking an anti-craving medication for at least 6 months.
• •9. Able to speak and read in English