Enhancing the Effects of Adolescent Alcohol Treatment With Atomoxetine

Inclusion Criteria

• Ages 14 to 20 years, inclusive
• Self-reports consuming alcohol ≥ 2 days/week on average in the past 28 days
• Meets the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD)
• Interested in reducing alcohol use
• Be able to verbalize an understanding of the consent/assent form, able to provide written informed consent/assent, verbalize willingness to complete study procedures, able to understand written and oral instructions in English, and able to complete the questionnaires required by the protocol.
• If younger than 18 years, parent permissions is required.
• Be able to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the medication regimen
• Complete all assessments required at screening and baseline
• Provide contact information of someone, such as a parent or other family member, who may be able to contact the subject in case of a missed clinic appointment or follow-up assessment.
• Be someone who in the opinion of the investigator would be expected to complete the study protocol
• Agree to the schedule of visits, verbally acknowledge that s/he will be able to attend each scheduled visit, participate in phone visits and that s/he does not have any already scheduled events or a job that may substantially interfere with study participation.
• Not anticipate any significant problems with transportation arrangements or available time to travel to the study site over the next 2 months.
• Agree (if the subject is female and of child bearing potential) to use birth control

Exclusion Criteria

• Currently receiving treatment for AUD
• Significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• Coexisting moderate to severe substance use disorder other than cannabis and nicotine
• Urine toxicology screen positive drugs of abuse except for cannabis
• Treated with pharmacotherapy for AUD or a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor in past 30 days
• Compelled to alcohol treatment by the juvenile justice system or has probation or parole requirements that might interfere with study participation
• History of liver disease or have clinically significant abnormal laboratory values
• History of renal impairment or renal stones, narrow angle glaucoma or pheochromocytoma, heart problems or defects, abnormal blood pressure, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, or clinically significant neurological disorders
• Clinically significant physical abnormalities per physical exam, hematological assessment, bilirubin concentration, or urinalysis
• Pregnancy, nursing, or refusal to use reliable birth control, if female
• Psychotropic medication use in the past 30 days
• Current or lifetime diagnosis of psychotic disorders
• Current bipolar disorder
• Current major depressive episode
• Ever attempted suicide
• Current (past year) suicidality risk
• Known sensitivity to atomoxetine
• Be anyone who in the opinion of the investigator could not be safely withdrawn from alcohol without medical detoxification
• Serious or unstable medical illness or any potentially life-threatening or progressive medical condition other than addiction that may compromise subject safety or study conduct
• Abnormal calculated creatinine clearance defined as < 80 mL/min
• Evidence of cirrhosis of the liver (albumin < 3.2 g/dL, or ascites by physical exam)