SAILOR: Suvorexant for Insomnia and Alcohol use Disorder

An open label pilot trial of suvorexant for the management of comorbid insomnia and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

Overview

For many people seeking help for alcohol use, difficulties with sleep can make recovery more challenging. SAILOR is an open-label pilot trial testing whether suvorexant, a TGA-approved insomnia medication, can be a safe and tolerable treatment for people with both insomnia and AUD who have recently completed a supervised alcohol detoxification program. The study will explore whether improving sleep can help reduce relapse rates, drinking frequency, and withdrawal symptom severity.

Participation involves a medical assessment to confirm eligibility, taking suvorexant nightly for 14 days, and attending five study visits over about four to five weeks. During this time, participants will meet with a study doctor, complete questionnaires, and wear sleep monitoring equipment on two nights to help researchers track changes in sleep and drinking patterns.

Expressions of interest

If you would like to refer someone or want more information, please contact the team at [email protected].

Project team

Turning Point team

A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri,Prof Dan Lubman,Dr Sarah Catchlove

Project partners

Prof Kirsten Morley (Edith Collins Centre, University of Sydney), Professor Paul Haber (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital), Prof Andrew Lawrence (Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health).

Our sponsor

This trial is sponsored by Turning Point, Eastern Health.