The success of methadone and buprenorphine in opiate addiction treatment has prodded researchers to investigate the use of other medications as therapy for cocaine and methamphetamine addiction, Time reported Dec. 8.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has funded small studies on use of potential anti-addiction drugs including dexamphetamine, a form of amphetamine, and modafinil, an alertness drug used to treat narcolepsy and shift-work sleep disorders. Studies of dexamphetamine in both Britain and Australia showed positive findings when administered to stimulant users, and a study of modafinil at the University of Pennsylvania found that the drug reduced rates of cocaine use.

Conceding that there is "more discussion than data" on treatment medication for cocaine and meth, Frank Vocci, director of NIDA's pharmacotherapy, said, "It's an idea that really does need to be rigorously evaluated."

The studies of dexamphetamine and similar drugs have not revealed major safety problems. "There's pretty consistent evidence that the side effects are generally nominal," said John Grabowski, professor of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. Modafinil has less addiction risk than amphetamines but it is less effective in treating the most severe addictions.

Champions of maintenance treatment note that 30 percent of cocaine and amphetamine addicts suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and that their addictions may be an effort to self-medicate. A pilot study conducted at Columbia University found that maintenance treatment reduced cocaine use and craving in 12 cocaine addicts with ADHD.