What medication is suitable for an adult with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Medication Management for Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Primary Recommendation

For adults with both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), sertraline (an SSRI) is the preferred pharmacological agent, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and AUD-specific medications (naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram). 1, 2

Pharmacological Treatment Algorithm

First-Line Approach: Dual Pharmacotherapy

Start with sertraline 50-150 mg/day for GAD while simultaneously initiating AUD-specific medication 1, 2:

• Sertraline demonstrated significant efficacy in GAD with mean Hamilton Anxiety Scale improvement of 11.7 points versus 8.0 for placebo, with 63% response rate versus 37% placebo 2
• Sertraline specifically showed effectiveness in comorbid anxiety-AUD populations 1
• Critical caveat: SSRIs including sertraline should only be initiated after the patient has achieved initial sobriety, as they may paradoxically increase alcohol consumption in actively drinking patients 1

Concurrent AUD medication (choose one based on patient factors) 3:

• Naltrexone: Effective for reducing relapse
• Acamprosate: Effective for maintaining abstinence
• Disulfiram: Effective with specialist support if needed

Alternative First-Line Options

If sertraline is contraindicated or not tolerated:

Buspirone 15-60 mg/day 4, 5:

• Demonstrated superiority over placebo as anxiolytic in dually diagnosed GAD-AUD patients 4
• Reduced number of days desiring alcohol 4
• Well-tolerated with favorable side effect profile 5
• Advantage: No risk of increasing alcohol consumption like SSRIs 4

Pregabalin or gabapentin 1, 5:

• Effective for both anxiety and alcohol cravings 1
• Pregabalin showed efficacy in double-blind placebo-controlled GAD trials 5

Second-Line Options

SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine) 3:

• Duloxetine has FDA indication for GAD in adults 3
• Consider if SSRIs fail or are not tolerated 3
• Monitor blood pressure and pulse regularly 3

Hydroxyzine or valproate 5:

• Both showed effectiveness in double-blind placebo-controlled GAD studies 5
• Consider as alternatives when first-line agents fail 5

Behavioral Treatment Integration

Mandatory CBT component 3:

• Combined CBT plus pharmacotherapy demonstrated superior efficacy (effect sizes 0.18-0.28) compared to pharmacotherapy with usual care alone 3
• CBT should be evidence-based, structured therapy—not general counseling 3
• Best practices require pharmacotherapy PLUS CBT or another evidence-based therapy, not usual clinical management alone 3

Critical Safety Considerations

SSRI-Specific Warnings (Sertraline)

Do not initiate sertraline while patient is actively drinking 1:

• May increase alcohol consumption in active drinkers 1
• Wait until patient achieves initial sobriety before starting 1

FDA Black Box Warning 6:

• Increased suicidal thoughts/actions in young adults within first months of treatment 6
• Monitor closely for new/worsening depression, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks 6

Serotonin syndrome risk 6:

• Avoid MAOIs within 2 weeks of sertraline 6
• Monitor for agitation, hallucinations, tachycardia, fever, muscle rigidity 6

Drug interactions 6:

• Contraindicated with pimozide (cardiac effects) 6
• Contraindicated with disulfiram if using liquid formulation (alcohol content) 6
• Increased bleeding risk with NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin 6

Monitoring Requirements

Monthly reassessment until symptom control 3:

• Assess medication compliance and side effects 3
• Assess CBT follow-through (anxiety patients commonly avoid treatment) 3
• Monitor for treatment satisfaction 3
• After 8 weeks, if poor response despite compliance, alter treatment course 3

Consider medication tapering 3:

• When anxiety symptoms controlled AND environmental stressors resolved 3

Treatment Sequencing

1. Acute phase: Stabilize alcohol withdrawal with benzodiazepines (first-line per guidelines) 7
2. Post-detoxification: Initiate sertraline 50 mg/day AND AUD medication (naltrexone/acamprosate/disulfiram) 3, 1, 2
3. Concurrent: Begin structured CBT immediately 3
4. Titration: Increase sertraline to 150 mg/day as needed based on response 2
5. Maintenance: Continue both medications long-term; baclofen may be considered for maintaining alcohol abstinence in liver disease 7

Special Populations

Women require particular attention 1:

• Higher stress and anxiety levels than men 1
• More vulnerable to maintaining alcohol consumption 1
• May require more intensive monitoring 1

Patients with liver impairment 7:

• Consider baclofen as adjunctive therapy for AUD 7
• Avoid long-acting benzodiazepines; prefer lorazepam or oxazepam if needed 7