Treatment of Patients With Alcoholism and Attention Deficit Disorder

This study of persons with both alcoholism and ADHD will determine whether adding the drug methylphenidate to a standard treatment program will decrease alcohol use. In approximately half of patients with ADHD, symptoms persist into adulthood, and the untreated condition is associated with a significantly increased incidence of substance use disorder. Also, more than one-third of adults with substance use disorder have symptoms of ADHD. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of adding methylphenidate to a standard alcohol treatment program in improving patients' treatment compliance and decreasing adverse consequences of drinking, as well as monitoring their attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms, People 21 to 65 years of age with alcoholism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be eligible for this study. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either slow-release methylphenidate (an approved medication for ADHD) or placebo. All subjects participate in NIAAA's alcohol treatment program, which includes a standardized 12-week behavioral therapy course and treatment with naltrexone, a medication to prevent relapse. Patients are assessed once a week with the standard NIAAA treatment evaluation battery, including: * Timeline Followback: A validated self-report method to assess a person's drinking over a defined interval in time * Addiction Severity Index: A validated interview that measures problem severity in seven areas related to drug and alcohol abuse * Biomarkers for alcohol abuse * Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (a rating scale for ADHD symptoms and severity)