High-dose Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation for the Treatment of Alcohol Addiction

This is a two-arm randomized placebo-controlled trial in which 72 patients with alcohol addiction are treated with high-dose accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (TBS).

Inclusion Criteria:alchohol dependence according to ICD-10 (F10.2)desire to reduce or abstain from alcohol drinkingmale or female18-65 yearsresidency in Germany, German speakingwritten informed consentExclusion Criteria:contraindications for transcranial magnetic stimulation (electric devices or metal parts in the body such as pacemaker)relevant neurological or internistic diseases according to study investigatortreatment with TMS in the pastparticipation in other trials during treatmentpregnancy or breatfeedingpositive breath test for alcohollegal care and placement in a psychiatric hospitalco-medication with disulfiram, acamprosate, topiramate, baclofen, naltrexone, or nalmefeneacute psychiatric comorbidity that requires inpatient treatment or medication readjustment (<1 month)severe chronic psychiatric illness (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder)patients who are unable to complete study questionnaires or follow-up questionnaires (in the opinion of the investigators)