Treating Stress and Anxiety in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

36 subjects with a history of AUD within the past six months will be recruited for this study. Subjects will be randomized into three groups. Group 1 receives an active heating device and placebo c-tactile fiber stimulation. Group 2 active c tactile fiber stimulation and placebo heating device. Group 3 receives active c tactile fiber stimulation and an active heating device. All subjects will have baseline labs drawn, then undergo 10 minutes of experimental stimulation according to group number 1,2 or 3,After 10 minutes, subjects will be given a validated experimental stressor that takes approximately 15 minutes. During this time, subjects will also receive the experimental stimulation per their experimental group After the experimental stress is concluded, stimulation will continue for an additional 5 minutes. Oxytocin and cortisol via salivary samples will be collected throughout and at the conclusion of the trial. Subjects will be followed for one hour post trial. Both laboratory testing and assessment measures will be repeated at 30 and 60 minutes post experimental treatment. Assessment measures include the VAS-A, the PROMIS anxiety short form, and the desires for alcohol questionnaire. The active placebo is thermal stimulation at 37°C over the trapezius using the same number of heating pods. Placebo CT stimulation will occur by placing the von Frey filaments, which provide two standard deviations less than the optimal pressure. Subjects will not be informed about which group they were randomized into.