Studying drug craving using laboratory rats, NIDA scientists found that sensitivity to the drug-associated environmental cues that often accompany drug craving and relapse increased over a 60-day withdrawal period.

In humans, researchers noted, environmental cues often stimulate cocaine craving and accompany relapse to drug-using behavior. They wrote, "The data from this study suggest that an individual is most vulnerable to relapse to cocaine use well beyond the acute drug-withdrawal phase."

"This phenomenon helps explain why addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease," said NIDA Director Alan I. Leshner. "Craving is a powerful force for cocaine addicts to resist, and the finding that it persists long after last drug use must be considered in tailoring treatment programs."

The study is published in the July 12 issue of Nature.

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