Alcohol Use Disorder and Cannabidiol

Eligibility Criteria

• 1. Must be ≥21 years old.
• 2. Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V) criteria for current Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) of at least moderate severity (i.e., 4 or more DSM-V symptoms).
• 3. Expresses desire to reduce or quit drinking.
• 4. If male, reports drinking, on average, at least 15 standard alcoholic drinks per week prior to screening; if female, reports drinking, on average, at least 10 standard drinks per week prior to screening.
• 5. Able to attend in-person visits at the study site.
• 6. Participants reporting current nicotine use in any form will be included.
• 1. Self-reported DSM-V diagnosis of any other substance use disorder.
• 2. Self-report illicit/recreational use of cocaine, methamphetamines, amphetamines, MDMA, opioids, or benzodiazepines in the last 30 days.
• 3. Daily cannabis use.
• 4. Uses CBD products for medical reasons.
• 5. Self-reports or indicates having a serious DSM-V psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, cluster B personality disorders (borderline, antisocial, histrionic, narcissistic), eating disorders, or any other psychotic mental disorder.
• 6. Endorsing item 2 on the C-SSRS measure of suicide risk.
• 7. Currently taking any of the following medications:
• 1. Those known to have a major interaction with Epidiolex.
• 2. Acute treatment with any antiepileptic medications.
• 3. Medication known to affect alcohol intake (e.g., disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, and/or topiramate).
• 8. Self-reported history of severe alcohol withdrawal (e.g., seizure, delirium tremens).
• 9. Clinically significant medical problems in the last six months, such as cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, or endocrine problems, that would impair participation or limit medication ingestion.
• 10. Current or past alcohol-related medical illness, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, hepatocellular disease, or peptic ulcer.
• 11. Females of childbearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, or who are not using a reliable form of birth control.
• 12. Current charges pending for a violent crime (not including DUI-related offenses).
• 13. Lack of a stable living situation.
• 14. Lack of access to internet.