This is a preliminary study to explore the theory that there may be abnormalities of the benzodiazepine receptor, or a possible endogenous inverse agonist ligand in alcohol withdrawal. The benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil was administered to 8 alcoholics in early withdrawal in a double blind placebo controlled design. Self ratings of mood and physical symptoms, and observer ratings of withdrawal symptoms revealed differences in the effects of flumazenil and placebo. Flumazenil had an immediate slight anxiogenic action which was short-lived. It then appeared to ameliorate withdrawal symptoms, quite markedly in 2 patients.