Treatment-seeking volunteers with alcohol dependence were recruited primarily via IRB-approved print and internet advertisements. The first participant was randomized April 2004 and the last follow-up visit was completed February 2010. To be eligible, men and women had to be over 18 years of age; meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)4 criteria for current alcohol dependence; and be abstinent from alcohol at least 3 days prior to randomization. Exclusion criteria were risk for significant withdrawal based on a Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment-Alcohol, Revised (CIWA-AR) score >9;22 more than one month of abstinence; dependence on substances other than alcohol or nicotine; a urine drug screen positive for benzodiazepines, cocaine, methamphetamine, tetrahydrocannabinol, methadone or opiates; clinically significant medical or psychiatric disorders; treatment with medications that could affect study outcomes; and treatment mandated by a legal authority.
