Medication Development in Alcoholism: Acamprosate Versus Naltrexone

Inclusion Criteria: * Males or females ≥ 18 and ≤ 55 years of age * Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for current alcohol dependence * Does not desire treatment * Alcohol free, as verified by breath alcohol concentration, with a Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) ≤ 8, at the time of testing, with no evidence of drinking for at least 3 days but no more than 7 days prior to the cue reactivity session * Able to complete and understand questionnaires and study procedures in English * Verbal I.Q. estimate ≥ 85 * Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Currently meets DSM-IV criteria for dependence on substances other than alcohol or nicotine * Significant medical disorders that will increase potential risk or interfere with study participation * Sexually active women with childbearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, or refuse to use a reliable method of birth control * Meets DSM-IV criteria for a major Axis I disorder, including depression or anxiety disorders * Treatment within the month prior to screening with investigational medications or those which may influence drinking outcome, e.g., disulfiram (Antabuse), naltrexone (ReVia), acamprosate (Campral), antidepressants or other psychotropic agents * Chronic treatment with any narcotic-containing medications during the previous month or evidence of current opiate use * Liver function tests more than three times normal or elevated bilirubin * No fixed domicile and/or no availability by telephone or beeper * Current involvement in or plans for treatment prior to study completion * Patients who have a history of adverse drug reactions to the study drugs or their ingredients * Failure to take double-blind medication as prescribed * Inability to understand or comply with the provisions of the protocol or consent form