Could a common heart pill curb stress drinking?

This small pilot study tested whether propranolol, a beta blocker usually used for high blood pressure, can reduce alcohol drinking triggered by stress. Twenty adults with alcohol use disorder were randomly assigned to take propranolol or a placebo for about two weeks, then completed two lab sessions where they were exposed to a stressful or relaxing situation and given access to alcohol. The goal was to see if propranolol lowered how much they drank after stress. The study was suspended, so results are not yet available.