METHODS

Design:

randomised placebo controlled trial.

Allocation:

{concealed*}†.

Blinding:

blinded {participants, healthcare providers, data collectors, outcome assessors, data analysts, data safety and monitoring committee, and manuscript writers}†.*

Follow up period:

12 weeks.

Setting:

San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Patients:

158 participants between 21 and 65 years of age who met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence; scored ⩾8 on the alcohol use disorders identification test; reported drinking a mean of ⩾35 standard drinks/week for men and ⩾21 standard drinks/week for women during the 90 days before enrolment; and had a negative urine toxicological screen for narcotics, amphetamines, or sedative hypnotics. Exclusion criteria included a current axis 1 psychiatric diagnosis (other than …