Does Guanfacine Attenuate Stress-Induced Drinking?

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 21-65

- Able to read and write English

- Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for
current (past 6 months) alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence

Exclusion Criteria:

- Participants with any significant current medical conditions, seizures, delirium or
hallucinations, or other unstable medical conditions including HIV

- Current DSM-IV abuse or dependence on substances, other than alcohol abuse, alcohol
dependence, or nicotine dependence

- Women who are pregnant or nursing

- Suicidal, homicidal or evidence of current (past 6-month) mental illness

- Meet DSM-IV criteria for current (past-6 month) attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)

- Specific exclusions for administration of guanfacine not already specified include:
EKG evidence at baseline screening of any clinically significant conduction
abnormalities or arrhythmias; known intolerance for guanfacine or any alpha blocker;
history of fainting, syncopal attacks, heart failure or myocardial infarction, or
impaired liver as indicated by aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) > 3x normal or renal function (estimated creatinine clearance
<60 cc/min); treatment with any antihypertensive drug or any alpha-adrenergic blocker;
use of any central nervous system (CNS) depressant (e.g., phenothiazines,
barbiturates, benzodiazepines)

- Subjects likely to exhibit clinically significant alcohol withdrawal during the study.

- Individuals who are seeking treatment for drinking