Vaccine May Treat Cocaine Addiction

[trotsky]

Fascinating.

A new vaccine may one day help people who are addicted to cocaine to curb their drug use and overcome their dependency.

The experimental cocaine vaccine works by raising levels of cocaine antibodies to hamper the drug's ability to affect the brain.

Researchers found that treated drug users who responded well to the vaccine by achieving high antibody levels were twice as likely to reduce their cocaine use by half and had more cocaine-free urine tests than those with low antibody levels or who received a placebo vaccine.

More at WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20091005/vaccine-may-treat-cocaine-addiction

They say the effect doesn't last long, but it's something to build on, and it might just get addicts through the most difficult time anyway.

[Skittles]

1. how about one for nicotine?

[itsrobert]

2. These addicts will only fine a new drug to move on to

They are destructive to themselves, they also don't care about the friends and family they hurt and disappoint.

[havocmom]

3. Would some possibly just use more cocaine?

Since the vaccine inhibits reaction to the stuff, just take more? My cynical side wonders if this might be partly good marketing for the distributors. Yes, I AM getting that cynical.

[mopinko]

4. if only we had spent the money on treatments

instead of 40 years of a war on drugs. but, i guess the cia needs a revenue stream.

[HuckleB]

5. Hopeful stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[HuckleB]

6. Bump.