Effect of Varenicline on Fixed-Dose Alcohol Administration in Participants With Alcohol Use Disorders

Effect of Varenicline on Fixed-Dose Alcohol Administration in Participants With Alcohol Use Disorders

The purpose of this study is the examine the effect of varenicline on cognition to a high dose (0.08 g/dL) of alcohol (vs. placebo alcohol) over the ascending and descending limb of the blood alcohol curve.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 21 years old or older
• Able to read and write in English
• Smokers and nonsmokers
• Meet criteria for alcohol use disorders
• Currently enrolled in NCT00580645

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any significant current medical or psychiatric conditions that would contraindicate the consumption of alcohol
• Significant hepatocellular injury
• Positive test results at intake appointments on urine drug screens conducted for opiates, cocaine, or benzodiazepines
• Women who are pregnant or nursing
• Suicidal, homicidal, or evidence of severe mental illness
• Prescription of any psychotropic drug in the 30 days prior to study enrollment
• Blood donation within the past 8 weeks
• Individuals who are seeking treatment for drinking or smoking or who have attempted to quit drinking or smoking within the past 3 months
• Known allergy to varenicline or taking H2blockers
• Participation within the past 8 weeks in other studies that involve additive blood sampling and/or interventional measures that would be considered excessive in combination with the current protocol
• Subjects likely to exhibit clinically significant alcohol withdrawal during the study