A Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of tDCS) in Reducing Alcohol Consumption in Non-abstinent Patients (REDSTIM)

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must have signed and dated the informed consent form * Male and female patients over 18 years of age * Patients who meet at least two criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder as defined in the Diagnostic and statistical Manual of mental disorder (DSM-5) * Patients who are motivated to reduce their alcohol consumption * At least one attempt to achieve abstinence (unsuccessful or relapse) or to reduce alcohol consumption Exclusion Criteria: * Breath-alcohol concentration \> 0 milligrams per litre of exhaled air at randomization (visit 1) * \< 6 heavy drinking days in the 4 weeks before randomization (European Medicines Agency, 2010; a day with alcohol consumption ≥ 60 g for men and ≥40 g for women) * An average alcohol consumption below medium risk level according to World health Organization (WHO) in the 4 weeks before screening (WHO, 2000; ≤40g/day for men; ≤20g/day for women), * More than 3-days abstinence prior to screening and randomization (screening visit and visit 1) * A Revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol score ≥ 10 (indicating the need for medication supported detoxification) at randomization (visit 1) * Concomitant treatment with disulfiram, acamprosate, topiramate, baclofen, naltrexone, and nalmefene (\<1 month) * History of pre-delirium tremens and delirium tremens * DSM-5 substance use disorder other than alcohol or nicotine use disorder * Acute psychiatric disorders that have required hospitalisation and/or immediate adjustment of psychotropic medications * Major depression, as defined by Hamilton Depression (HDRS) scale greater than or equal to 24 * Recent change in psychotropic medication (\< 1 month) * Severe chronic psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, paranoia and bipolar disorder type I and II * Advanced liver, kidney, cardiac, or pulmonary disease or other acute serious or unstable medical condition that would compromise patient's participation in the study according to physician's judgment * Contra-indications to tDCS: metal in the head, implanted brain medical devices * Women who are pregnant or lactating * Women of childbearing potential with a positive urine β-human chorionic gonadotrophin pregnancy test at randomization (visit 1) * Concurrent participation in other trial * Employees of the investigator or trial site * Patients protected by law * Persons who are not covered by national health insurance * Patients, in the opinion of the investigation, not able to complete the TLFB and to complete their daily alcohol consumption in a diary (derived from the TLFB) during the 3 months of the study. * Patients who refused to sign "safety" agreement