Data from a 6‐month placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study of buspirone in alcohol‐dependent subjects with generalized anxiety disorder were examined to determine if study completers and noncompleters differed on any identifiable characteristics. Twenty (29.9%) of 67 male veterans completed the 26‐week protocol. An equal number (n = 10) of the completers were from each treatment condition. The completers had significantly fewer prior treatments and detoxifications and less heavy drinking in the month before the study than the noncompleters. Characteristics related to the severity of alcoholism may influence retention and medication compliance of alcohol‐dependent subjects in pharmacologic treatm