Repurposing alpha1 Noradrenergic Antagonists for Alcoholism Treatment

INCLUSION CRITERIA: All Participants

• Can read and write in English.
• Ages of 18-50 years.

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Control Participants

• No current or lifetime history of Substance Use Disorder (except tobacco).

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Alcoholic Participants

• Current Alcohol Use Disorder with 1-8 weeks completely free from alcohol consumption.

Exclusion criteria are divided into three broad categories of Medical, Psychiatric/Behavioral, and Medications/Therapies.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Medical

• Colorblind
• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) > 0.00
• Systolic BP 20 mmHg after two minutes standing.
• Systolic BP drop >10 mgHg AND report dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness or other problems (e.g, nausea, blurry vision) after two minutes standing.
• Heart rate >100 beats/ minute after two minutes seated.
• Heart rate <60 beats/ minute after two minutes seated.
• Scheduled for cataract surgery prior to study completion.
• Past or current coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure.
• Current renal insufficiency, liver insufficiency, pancreatitis, immunosuppressive therapy, or cancer with systemic effects or therapy.
• Benign positional vertigo, Meniere's disease or narcolepsy
• Current diabetes or polyneuropathy
• Previous allergic or adverse reaction to prazosin or other alpha1 norepinephrine antagonist.
• Other self-reported acute or unstable illness that, in the opinion of the study team, would preclude a safe and reliable study participation.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Female Participants Only

• Non-negative urine pregnancy test.
• Women of childbearing potential (see definition below) must agree to use one of the following forms of birth control until after study completion. Acceptable birth control is defined as the following methods of contraception: abstinence; hormonal contraceptives (e.g. combined oral contraceptives, patch, vaginal ring, injectables, and implants); intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS); vasectomy of partner and tubal ligation; "single" barrier methods of contraception (e.g. male condom, female condom, cervical cap, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge) with use of spermicide; or "double barrier" method of contraception (e.g. male condom with diaphragm, male condom with cervical cap).
• Breastfeeding

NOTE: Women of childbearing potential are females who have experienced menarche and do not meet the criteria for women not of childbearing potential. Women not of childbearing potential are females who are permanently sterile (e.g., hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy) or postmenopausal. Postmenopausal is defined as 12 consecutive months with no menses without an alternative medical cause.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Psychological/Behavioral Exclusion

• Self-reported lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or any neurocognitive disorder.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Medications/Therapies

• Currently prescribed or used within 72 hours: prazosin or other alpha1-NE antagonist (e.g., doxazosin, terazosin).
• Previous adequate trial of prazosin for alcohol use disorder or PTSD.
• Currently prescribed or used within 72 hours: Stimulants (e.g., d-amphetamine, methylphenidate) or alternative medications with stimulant properties (e.g., ephedra, pseudoephedrine).
• Currently prescribed or used within 72 hours: Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra).
• Currently prescribed or used within 72 hours: beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), alpha2 agonists (e.g., clonidine, guanfacine), or Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) anti-depressants (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine).
• Currently used daily or used within 72 hours: alpha1 agonists (e.g., midodrine, metaraminol, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine).
• Currently used daily or used within 72 hours: Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam), z