It’s a long way from animal studies to an FDA-approved drug, so let’s not panic just yet. The study doesn’t tell us anything radical. If a cocaine dependant person had access to unlimited, free amphetamines, I hypothesize that their cocaine use would decrease by 60% (or more) as well. Humans may be 99% similar in DNA to monkeys, but that 1% makes a big difference, particularly when we consider one of the major differences between us and them---cognitive ability. The more disturbing thing to me is that some addiction specialists continue to promote “harm reduction” of addiction as medical treatment for addiction, instead of calling it what it actually is: social control of the addict. A 2001 analysis of MMT noted “high rates of relapse to opioid use after methadone treatment is discontinued” and suggested long-term maintenance until more is learned on how to improve post-detoxification outcomes. Steve, one of the persons followed in the documentary ‘Methadonia’, said “Once they get you hooked, you’re nothing but a junkie. Come get your fix in the morning.” Let’s not “treat” cocaine dependent persons with the same approach. Remember the recovery definition of insanity?

If anyone truly wants to recover and become straight and sober, they must go to the horse's mouth and learn how it's done by those who have done it. It's possible, it happens every day without other kinds of drugs.

Methadone is a long-acting narcotic medication that suppresses symptoms of withdrawal and reduces cravings without causing euphoric or sedative effects. Methadone treatment (MMT) was designed to reduce illegal/harmful opiate use along with the many problems (e.g. crime, death, disease) associated with its addiction. Many people view opiate addiction as a “bad habit” or moral flaw, and dismiss it as an addictive narcotic substitution therapy. Conversely, MMT is not a mere replacement for other illicit opiates and it doesn’t merely substitute one addiction for another. Although methadone can cause physical dependence, its effects on the brain contrast sharply with the addictive cycle of highs and lows produced by other opiates. Methadone taken orally once a day permits addicts to have a stable lifestyle (e.g., no drowsiness, no cravings, or withdrawal symptoms). This stability helps the addict to stop habitual drug seeking/taking, engaging in HIV risk behaviors, and crimes. It estimated that it costs $42,000 per year to leave an addict untreated, $40,000 if the addict is incarcerated, and about $4,000 if the addict is admitted to a MMT program.

Methadone is a long acting narcotic medication that suppresses symptoms of withdrawal and reduces cravings without causing euphoric or sedative effects. Methadone treatment (MMT) was designed to reduce illegal/harmful opiate use along with the many problems (e.g. crime, death, disease) associated with its addiction. Many people view opiate addiction as a “bad habit” or moral flaw, and dismiss it as an addictive narcotic substitution therapy. Conversely, MMT is not a mere replacement for other illicit opiates and it doesn’t merely substitute one addiction for another. Although methadone can cause physical dependence, its effects on the brain contrast sharply with the addictive cycle of highs and lows produced by other opiates. Methadone taken orally once a day permits addicts to have a stable lifestyle (e.g., no drowsiness, no cravings, or withdrawal symptoms). This stability helps the addict to stop habitual drug seeking/taking, engaging in HIV risk behaviors, and crimes.

Dear Friends, I have had great success with Provigil -- a non-addictive psychostimulant with hard-core cocaine addicts. Since these folk seem often helpful against cravings, and hospitals don't usually give any inpatient for cocaine addiction, let alone the 14-20 or more days they need, we have to give them some help. Other past medications have been the amantadine, desipramine, et al. Breaking the life-style is also important. Frequent monitoring. Required, monitored 12-step involvement. Etc. By the way, I also am a recovering cocaine addict but what worked for me might and apparently does not work for everyone.

The only reason Methadone works to some extent is that opiate addicts don't go into withdrawl. As for a less addictive a amphetamine give me a break. Tolerance for any amphetamine drugs grows rapidly,in a matter of days you might as well be slamming Meth. John French, I have been clean 22 years and was smoking crack at the end of my using. In San Diego County at that time we had 70 NA meetings, 22 years later we have over 500 meetings and there are 10's of thousands of individuals in recovery. Your statment that 12 step recovery doesn't work is a bunch of hogwash.

Just as the benefits of methadone outweigh the costs, the benefits of this replacement may outweigh the costs. In terms of reducing family problems, increasing ability to work, reducing legal issues, and reducing ancillary medical problems, methadone is the most effective treatment we have. I am a person in recovery, and abstinence and 12-step worked for me - but for too many people, they are not enough. Abstinence is not a goal that everyone can reach, if history is our guide. If this will be another armament in our arsenal against the horrors of chemical dependency, then I welcome it.

As much as my heart cries out against replacement therapy, I must recognize that 12 Step and CBT types of treatment and 12 step recovery are seldom successful. Ritalin or other amphetamine like drugs have such obvious potential that to NOT subject them to clinical trials for cocaine addiction is remarkably stupid.

Get real. This study must be sponsored by a drug company.For the addict, "One is too many and a thousand is never enough". They will learn to abuse and divert the amphetamine. The only way of putting the disease of addiction to rest is by having a "spiritual experience significant enough to bring about a change in PERSONALI TY (and we find that this is usually an experience of the educational variety. If a person wants to stop using drugs, THEY HAVE TO STOP USING DRUGS! There is a process involved in geting addicted and a process involved in getting un-addicted. They key is going to be standardizing the 12 core functions and global criteria for addcition counselors, and raising the level of expertiese of providers, so they are capable of providing best proven practice therapy. As far as medications for the addict, hope is found in drugs that block the cocaine or opiate recepters in the brain, or bind to the drug molecule, thus preventing the drug from crossing the blood- brain barrier. Therapy and education will contiue to be a necessity, along with pro-social support programs and self help groups.

NO! NO! NO! As a recovering cocaine addict, I would not replace one addictive drug with another. Perhaps all the information about this is still unavailable, but I compare this to using methadone for opiate addiction. I know it has helped many, but many more use methadone when opiates are not an option for whatever reason.