Ritalin is generally prescribed to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. However, researchers want to study Ritalin's affect on individuals addicted to both cocaine and heroin.

"If we talk about street drug use, we don't see anyone who just consumes heroin anymore. The normal pattern today is the consumption of heroin and cocaine in the form of a cocktail," said Christopher Burki of Bern's Koda heroin prescription clinic. "Some studies have been done with Ritalin for cocaine addiction but it has never been done in this framework with patients in heroin-assisted treatment."

For the study, 60 heroin and cocaine users in Basel and Bern will be given Ritalin over a three-month period.

"Cocaine and Ritalin are both stimulants and although they don't work in the same way, they function in similar regions of the brain," said Burki.

If Ritalin shows positive results, the study would proceed to a second phase of treatment that includes group therapy.

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