Oxytocin, Alcohol Craving, and Intimate Partner Aggression

Summary

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) and intimate partner aggression (IPA) frequently co-occur. There are significant health and economic burdens associated with AUD and co-occurring IPA, and little empirical data to guide treatment efforts. The neuropeptide oxytocin may help mitigate both AUD and IPA. However, clinical data examining oxytocin's effects on human aggression is scant. The proposed study is designed to address these gaps in the literature by utilizing a human laboratory paradigm to test the effects of oxytocin on craving and aggression among couples with AUD and co-occurring IPA.

Timeline

Start

2017-07-01

Primary completion

2021-04-11

Completion

2021-04-11

Outcome

Missed primary endpoint

paper No group differences emerged in alcohol consumption, alcohol problem severity, or relationship functioning at end of treatment. PMID 40392716 ↗

Publications

• Hurd JA, Giff ST, Hall E, Thomas M, Noblejas-Guloy R, Flanagan JC. Single Versus Multiple Intimate Partner Violence Relationships: Current Severity of Psychological Distress Among Romantic Partners. J Clin Psychol. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1002/jclp.70179. Online ahead of print.
• Forkus SR, Baer MM, Giff ST, Hall E, Miles SR, Flanagan JC. The role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on posttraumatic stress symptoms and alcohol use problems among individuals experiencing intimate partner violence. Psychol Trauma. 2025 Oct 23:10.1037/tra0002057. doi: 10.1037/tra0002057. Online ahead of print.
• Flanagan JC, Nietert PJ, McCrady BS, Sellers S, Yates-Johnson A, Giff ST, Forkus SR. Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin to Enhance Alcohol Behavioral Couple Therapy. J Clin Psychiatry. 2025 May 12;86(2):24m15627. doi: 10.4088/JCP.24m15627.

Drugs

Indications