The results of this study are limited in scope to individuals 50 years of age and older. While this age range captures a large proportion of alcohol-dependent individuals who seek treatment, future studies should evaluate these effects across all ages. Interestingly, there were no identified age or gender effects. Age effects were considered because there is evidence that dopaminergic tone decreases in the brain with age and is one of the principal neurotransmitter systems involved in reward and craving (Volkow et al., 1996). While subjects taking an antidepressant were allowed in the study, there was no association with being on an antidepressant and class assignment nor was the class assignment associated with staying on an antidepressant. It should be noted that there is no literature to suggest that antidepressants have an effect on craving measures and other medication such as “mood stabilizers” were rarely used. It is curious that being on an antidepressants or staying on an antidepressant were not associated with affective class.
