Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Probiotic Study in Alcohol Recovery

This study is exploring a new way to help people who are trying to reduce their alcohol intake. Alcohol Use Disorder can affect many aspects of health, and current treatments don't always work for everyone. Researchers want to find out if taking a probiotic supplement, which contains 'good bacteria,' can make a difference. Participants will take either the probiotic capsule or a dummy capsule (placebo) for four weeks. Neither they nor the researchers will know who is getting what until the study ends. The study will check things like alcohol cravings, digestion, memory, mood, and eating habits at the beginning and end. The goal is to see if probiotics could be a useful extra tool to support people dealing with heavy alcohol use.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Loughborough University

Enrolment target

Start

15 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

17 Apr 2026

Alcohol Use Disorder

What is this study about?

This study is investigating a new approach to help people who are struggling with alcohol and want to make changes to their drinking habits. heavy alcohol use is a common problem that can affect both physical and mental health. While there are treatments available, they don't work for everyone, so doctors and researchers are always looking for better ways to offer support.

This research focuses on probiotics, which are often called 'good bacteria.' You might have heard of them in yoghurts or supplements. The idea is to see if taking a probiotic capsule every day for four weeks could help reduce the desire to drink alcohol. Beyond cravings, the study will also look at whether probiotics can improve other important areas such, as how someone thinks and remembers things, their mood, and their overall digestive health.

By carefully studying these effects, the researchers hope to understand if probiotics could become a new, helpful part of how we support people who want to reduce their alcohol use. It's about exploring all possible avenues to give people the best chance to improve their health and well-being.

Key takeaways

This study explores if probiotics help people reduce heavy alcohol use.
It lasts for four weeks, taking a capsule daily.
'Good bacteria' (probiotics) or a dummy capsule (placebo) will be given.
Assessments include cravings, mood, memory, and gut health.
Participation is for adults aged 18 and over.
You can withdraw from the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, 18 years old or older. You should also have a history of drinking alcohol heavily and have had at least one heavy drinking day (meaning eight units or more, which is about three large glasses of wine or four pints of strong beer) in the last month.

There are also a few reasons why you might not be able to take part. For example, if you've taken any probiotic supplements or antibiotics in the last four weeks, you wouldn't be able to join. Also, if you have certain major mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, or if you're currently pregnant or breastfeeding, this study would not be suitable for you.

Finally, to make sure you're safe to participate, you can't have had a heavy drinking episode in the last 12 hours or have a very recent positive breath test for alcohol when you come for your first visit.

Quick self-check

I am 18 years old or older.
I have had a heavy drinking day (8+ units) in the last four weeks.
I have NOT taken a probiotic or antibiotic in the last four weeks.
I am NOT pregnant or breastfeeding.
I do NOT have a major mental health condition like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
I have NOT had a heavy drink in the last 12 hours before my first visit.

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be assigned by chance to one of two groups: either you'll receive the probiotic capsule or a placebo (an identical-looking capsule with no active ingredients). You'll take your assigned capsule daily for four weeks. During the study, neither you nor the study team will know which capsule you are taking – this helps make the results fair and unbiased.

Before you start and again after the four weeks, you'll have appointments to assess various aspects of your health. These assessments will include answering questions about your alcohol cravings and drinking habits, your mood, and your eating behaviours. You'll also complete some simple tasks to check your thinking and memory. Additionally, the study will collect samples to look at your gut health.

In total, your active participation will involve these two main assessment visits and taking the capsules daily for four weeks. There won't be long-term follow-up beyond this period.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any study has potential benefits and possible risks. While there's no guarantee, you might find that the probiotic helps reduce your cravings or improves your mood and digestion. However, it's also possible you could receive the placebo and experience no benefit from the capsule itself. There are generally very few risks associated with taking probiotics, though some people might experience mild digestive upset. You'll be closely monitored, and you are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Loughborough University
Loughborough, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'probiotic'?

A probiotic is a supplement containing 'good bacteria' that are thought to be helpful for your gut health and overall well-being.

What is a 'placebo'?

A placebo is a dummy capsule that looks exactly like the probiotic but doesn't contain any active ingredients. It's used to compare effects fairly.

Will I know if I'm getting the probiotic or the placebo?

No, during the study, neither you nor the researchers will know who is receiving which capsule. This is called a 'blinded' study.

How long will I take the capsules for?

You will take the assigned capsule once a day for a total of four weeks.

Can I still take part if I'm on other medications?

The study will check if any of your current medications conflict with the study, especially recent antibiotics, but you should discuss all medicines with the study team.