Research on pharmacological interventions for problem drinking among African Americans may be important. To the degree that some African Americans experience more stimulation from alcohol, pharmacological agents that reduce alcohol’s reinforcing or pleasurable properties might prove beneficial for those individuals. Interestingly, Naltrexone, which is thought to have those effects, has not reduced stimulation levels among African American drinkers (Plebani, Oslin, & Lynch, 2011; Ray & Olsin, 2009); there is a clear need for further research to develop effective interventions for this group.
