Despite huge
advances in the neuroscience of substance abuse and dependence in the past twenty
years, no approved pharmacological treatment exists for cocaine abuse, a costly
and health-damaging habit that is spreading worldwide and causing a heightened
burden of illness, crime, domestic violence, lower productivity, inability to
work and death.
Dr Antonio
Preti recently reviewed major results on drugs under development for the
treatment of cocaine abuse.
Promising
results come from small-sample studies, but definitive findings still have to
be reported for the drugs screened so far.
An alternative
approach rests on the use of vaccines, to date in the experimental stage still.
Psychosocial
treatments are a useful companion in the pharmacotherapy of cocaine abuse, with
group therapy and contingency management therapies improving motivation and
social functioning, particularly in patients abusing alcohol as well.
The spread of cocaine abuse in wealthy Western countries is
expected to increase in the next years: investments are therefore required and
appropriate on the part of both public health authorities and private companies
involved in drug development and research.
Reference:
Preti A.
New
Developments in the Pharmacotherapy of Cocaine Abuse.
Addiction
Biology, 2007; 12: 133-151.
Contacts:
Dr Antonio
Preti
SchizophreniaProject
e-mail: apreti@tin.it