Enhancing the Effects of Alcohol Treatment With Lamotrigine

Inclusion Criteria: * 16 to 24 years old, inclusive * Self-reports consuming alcohol ≥ 2 days/week on average in the past 90 days of which ≥ 5 days involved ≥ 4 drinks within a 2-hr period (i.e., binge drinking) for boys and ≥ 3 drinks for girls * Meet the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) * Be interested in reducing alcohol use * Be able to read simple English * Females taking estrogen-containing oral contraceptives have to agree to use secondary methods of birth control, such as condoms because lamotrigine lowers the effectiveness of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives. Sexually active females cannot be in this study if they do not agree to use a barrier method of birth control (condom) every time they engage in sexual intercourse. Exclusion Criteria: * Currently receiving formal AUD treatment * Significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms * Coexisting moderate or severe substance use disorder other than cannabis and nicotine, as defined by DSM-5 criteria. * Positive urine toxicology screen any substances other than cannabis (THC) * Currently taking a pharmacotherapy for AUD, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, or a glucuronidation * Compelled to alcohol treatment by the justice system or has probation or parole requirements that might interfere with study participation * History of rash that was serious, required hospitalization, or related to lamotrigine * Have a history of any serious, unstable medical illness including seizures or hepatic, renal, gastroenterologic, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrinologic, neurologic, immunologic, or hematologic disease * Clinically significant abnormal liver function tests, including elevation of liver enzymes (AST, ALT) 3-fold above the upper limit of normal. * Abnormal BUN and creatinine for renal impairment * Renal or hepatic impairment * Clinically significant abnormalities per physical exam, hematological assessment, bilirubin concentration, or urinalysis * Pregnant, nursing, or refusing to use a condom, if female. * Used psychotropic or anticonvulsant medication (prescribed by a health care professional) in the past 30 days (e.g., topiramate) * Taking medications contraindicated with lamotrigine (e.g., valproate acid \[Depakote\], carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, and rifampin, protease inhibitors lopinavir/ritonavir and atazanavir/lopinavi * History of prior treatment with lamotrigine * Known sensitivity or allergy to lamotrigine * A previous history of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) or blood dyscrasias * A history of Steven-Johnson syndrome or any presentation of symptoms suggestive of Steven-Johnson syndrome. * Current or lifetime history of psychosis or suicidality