Participants (n=99) were recruited from Northern California as respondents to flyer postings, mailings, newspaper advertisements, internet postings and referrals. The LTAA group (n = 52) consisted of 24 women and 28 men, ages 35 to 58 (mean = 46.6 (±6.9) years) with an education level ranging from 10 to 20 years (mean = 15.5 (±2.1) years). LTAA met lifetime DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria for alcohol dependence and were abstinent from alcohol and drugs (except nicotine and caffeine) for 6 months to 21 years (mean = 6.3 (±5.9) years). NAC consisted of 22 women and 25 men, ages 34 to 60 (mean = 45.5 (±6.8) years) with an education level ranging from 12 to 23 years (mean = 16.2 (±2.1) years). The inclusion criterion for the NAC group was a lifetime drinking average of less than 30 standard drinks per month, with no periods of drinking more than 60 drinks per month.
