Buspirone treatment of anxious alcoholics. A placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Symptoms of anxiety are common in alcoholics and may contribute to relapse following initiation of abstinence. Buspirone hydrochloride, a serotonin1A partial agonist, has a pharmacologic profile that may be particularly suited to the treatment of anxious alcoholics.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized, 12-week, placebo-controlled trial of buspirone in 61 anxious alcoholics, all of whom also received weekly relapse prevention psychotherapy. Outcomes were measured at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up evaluation.


RESULTS
Buspirone therapy was associated with greater retention in the 12-week treatment trial, reduced anxiety, a slower return to heavy alcohol consumption, and fewer drinking days during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
Buspirone appears to have a useful role in the treatment of anxious alcoholics. Further research is needed to clarify which patient characteristics and concomitant treatments result in optimal response to buspirone therapy.
Kranzler
H R
HR
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington.
Burleson
J A
JA
Del Boca
F K
FK
Babor
T F
TF
Korner
P
P
Brown
J
J
Bohn
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002065:Buspirone