Study of the Medication Prazosin for Alcohol Dependence
Alcoholism
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Alcoholism focused on measuring Alcohol, Abuse, Use, Disorder, Dependence, Symptoms, Alcoholic, Alcoholism, Prazosin, Drug, Medicine, Medication, Treatment, Study, Placebo, Medical, Management, Craving, Consumption, Binge, Drinking, Drink, Heavy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Current primary DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence(AD)
- Heavy drinking in the last 30 days
- At least 18 years of age
- Good general medical health (see Exclusion Criteria below)
- Capacity to provide informed consent
- English fluency and literacy
Exclusion Criteria:
- Psychiatric/behavioral: current post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD); psychiatric disorder requiring any medication other than anti-depressants; currently taking disulfiram, acamprosate, or naltrexone or planning to take any of these medications during the 12-week medication phase of the study; current dependence on any other psychoactive substance other than nicotine or cannabis; a current diagnosis of opioid abuse, use of any opioid- containing medications or benzodiazepines during the previous month, or UDA positive for opioids, benzodiazepines, or sedative hypnotics.
- Medical: significant acute or chronic medical illness; women who are pregnant, nursing infant(s), or of childbearing potential and not using a contraceptive method judged by the study physician or PA to be effective; signs or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal at the time of initial consent
- Legal involvement that could interfere with study treatment. Individuals court ordered for treatment will not be eligible to participate in this study.
Sites / Locations
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
1 - Prazosin Medication
2 - Placebo Medication
Following randomization, participants in this arm will receive a 2-week titration of Prazosin followed by 10 weeks of stable dosing of Prazosin. They will also attend study visits at least weekly for 12 weeks and will complete a final follow-up one month after discontinuation of the medication phase of the study at 16 weeks post-randomization.
Following randomization, participants in this arm will receive a 2-week titration of placebo followed by 10 weeks of stable dosing of placebo. They will also attend study visits at least weekly for 12 weeks and will complete a final follow-up one month after discontinuation of the medication phase of the study at 16 weeks post-randomization.