Prazosin for Alcohol Use Disorder

The purpose of this 12-week study is to see if a medication called Prazosin, which is an FDA approved medication for blood pressure, reduces alcohol intake and the desire to use alcohol in individuals with alcohol use disorder who have experienced some withdrawal symptoms now or in the past. We are trying to see if it will prevent or reduce alcohol intake and relapse, especially those related to stress and anxiety.

Participation involves weekly or biweekly visits to the Yale Stress Center in New Haven, as well as free weekly counseling sessions. Total estimated compensation is $830.

For information contact: Yale Stress Center at 1-877-Y-STUDIES (1-877-978-8343) or email: rachel.hart@yale.edu.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female individuals, ages 18 to 70
• Subjects must meet current DSM-V criteria for alcohol use disorder and have withdrawal symptoms
• Able to read English and complete study evaluations.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women who are pregnant, nursing, or are of childbearing potential and not practicing an effective means of birth control
• Meet current severe criteria for use disorder on another psychoactive substance, such as amphetamines, hallucinogens/PCP, excluding nicotine
• Meet current criteria for an opiate use disorder
• Current use of any psychoactive drugs, including naltrexone and Antabuse, excluding stable use of SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzodiazepines
• Any psychotic disorder or current Axis I psychiatric symptoms requiring specific attention, excluding stable use of SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzodiazepines
• Significant underlying medical conditions such as cerebral, renal, or cardiac pathology which in the opinion of study physician would preclude patient from fully cooperating or be of potential harm during the course of the study
• Hypotensive individuals with sitting blood pressure below 100/50 mmHG