The Use of Anticonvulsants for Treatment of Patients With Alcohol Dependence and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males and females between the ages of 18-60 years old. 2. Current alcohol abuse or dependence 3. Current PTSD 4. Patients with current alcohol dependence, with at least one recent episode of heavy drinking (defined as 5 or more drinks per drinking episode) over the past 14 days, and during a consecutive 30-day period within the 90 days prior to baseline evaluation. 5. Individuals who are on a stable dose (no less than 2 weeks) of antidepressant medication. 6. Medically and neurologically healthy on the basis of history, physical examination, EKG, screening laboratories (CBC w/ differential, TSH, Free-T4, ASAT, ALAT, GGT, BUN, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, total protein, albumin, electrolytes, VDRL, urinalysis, beta-HCG) 7. For women, negative pregnancy test and use of acceptable method of contraception. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Females who are pregnant or lactating. 2. Individuals with a current unstable medical condition such as neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, renal, liver, or thyroid pathology (LFT \> 3 times normal, abnormal BUN and creatinine, and unmanaged hypertension with BP \> 200/120) which in the opinion of the physician would preclude the patient from fully cooperating or be of potential harm during the course of the study (includes those with a history of glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, urethral obstruction, cerebral arteriosclerosis, pyloric stenosis). 3. Patients who meet current SCID criteria for a major Axis I diagnosis (Bipolar Disorders, Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia-type Disorders). 4. History of substance dependence (other than alcohol, tobacco or cannabis) by DSM-IV criteria in the last 90 days. 5. Individuals taking mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications. 6. Individuals with a history of allergies to topiramate or lamotrigine.