There are multiple ways by which alcoholism endophenotypes may be used to improve treatment processes and outcomes. The first approach consists of using endophenotypes as biobehavioral risk markers that can inform secondary prevention efforts through improved identification of individuals at risk. The second, and perhaps most developed approach, consists of using endophenotypes as treatment targets of pharmacological or psychosocial interventions. To that end, it has been postulated that medications that affect the subjective effects of alcohol may hold particular promise for the treatment of alcoholism. For example, two of the four currently FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for alcoholism are thought to work by altering subjective responses to alcohol, namely naltrexone and disulfiram (Antabuse®). Specifically, several studies have shown that naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, alters subjective responses to alcohol by: dampening feelings of alcohol-induced stimulation (Drobes et al., 2004; Ray & Hutchison, 2007; Swift et al., 1994) and alcohol “high” (Volpicelli et al., 1995), decreasing ratings of liking and enjoyment of the alcohol intoxication (McCaul et al., 2001; Ray & Hutchison, 2007), and increasing self-reported fatigue, tension, and confusion (King et al., 1997;
