Alcohol abuse and dependence are prevalent and costly problems in the United States today. Data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study indicate that the lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence is 14.7% (Regier et al. 1990). More strikingly, approximately 100,000 Americans die each year from alcohol-related disease or injury (McGinnis and Foege 1999). It has been estimated that alcohol-related problems account for at least 15% of health care expenditures and cost the U.S. economy an excess of $185 billion in medical costs, loss of life and property, and reduced productivity (Harwood 2000). Unfortunately, alcohol dependence is underdiagnosed and difficult to treat. In as few as 1–2 years following treatment, only about 20%–30% of treated patients have maintained abstinence, with most returning to heavy drinking. Clearly, there is a critical need for the development of more effective therapies for the treatment of alcoholism.