Author(s): Colin N. Haile, Richard De La Garza II and Thomas F Newton
Cocaine dependence is an enduring problem and years of research and drug development has yet to produce an effi cacious pharmacotherapy. Recent clinical research suggests that chronic treatment with amphetamine-like medications produces tolerance to cocaine’s reinforcing effects and may offer a viable pharmacotherapy. Three methamphetamine-dependent participants that had been in our clinical laboratory experiments and previously addicted to cocaine are reviewed. Data obtained from initial screen and informal conversation suggested that all participants considered methamphetamine to have helped them stop using cocaine and eliminate cocaine craving. Methamphetamine also signifi cantly decreased their alcohol consumption but did not alter cannabis or nicotine use.
