Cocaine vaccine shows promise in reducing addiction
We tend to think of vaccines as preventing traditional infectious diseases like measles or viruses like the flu. But what if one could get a shot to prevent drug users from getting high?
New research on an anti-cocaine vaccine shows that such a shot reduced cocaine use in 38 percent of people vaccinated with it. While that figure may not sound significant -- far from full abstinence -- it's an important finding in what will likely be a long road of research toward a vaccine.
The study done by Yale researchers and funded by the National Institutes of Health appears in the latest issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry . It examines cocaine addiction from a purely medical standpoint. Like vaccines that fight infectious diseases, an inoculation against cocaine stimulates the body to produce antibodies, the study states. The antibodies bind themselves to cocaine molecules in the blood and prevent them from allow the drug to enter into the brain. Fascinating.
The study randomly assigned 115 people to receive the cocaine vaccine or a placebo over 12 weeks. Since a minority of people developed antibodies, researchers think a booster shot might help increase the response.
An effective vaccine could make huge inroads in the fight against drug addiction. Some 2.5 million Americans are dependent on cocaine, but only about 800,000 of them receive treatment, according to the paper.
"The results of this study represent a promising step toward an effective medical treatment for cocaine addiction." said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of NIH. "Provided that larger follow-up studies confirm its safety and efficacy, this vaccine could offer a valuable new approach to treating cocaine addiction, for which no FDA-approved medication is currently available."
And that's just the medical side. Consider the impact on communities like Baltimore that have been ravaged by drug use if a vaccine could help people kick for good.
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Comments
Hi, I'm very interested in some more infromation on the Cocaine Vaccine; like were can I go to get the vaccine. I have a brother that needs help. We as family don't know what to do anymore. We want to help him before its to late. I'll really appreciated if someone can provide me with a phone number or location.
Sincerely, Anna Valenzuela
Posted by: Anna Valenzuela | October 6, 2009 2:41 PM
Anna: I'm very sorry to hear about your brother and how your family is struggling. A vaccine is a long way from being available to the public. It is still in experimental form and still being studied to be sure it is safe and effective. Has your brother sought treatment? Good luck to you and yours.
Posted by: Kelly | October 6, 2009 2:45 PM
I was wonder if people like Anna can get their loved ones into this type of research trials?It would be beneficial to all parties to participate and at least give it a try IMO.I had a friend die a few years back and watching someone you love go through such agony and the agony of the family they left behind is horrific.It is not just alley way junkies that are affected .Addiction knows no bounds.It does not care about color or money or if you have small children.It is a fast acting disease that is as awful as cancer.While it is best of course to never put yourself into a situation that sets you on the course .However even the innocent have been caught by addiction for a thousand different reasons possibly looking to hide from pain know one can see or understand.The point is if there is hope I would like to see people like Anna to find access to these trial that could be done by volunteers "guinea pigs".Even if it did not work for them they could at least know they are helping to save others.
To Anna ,I hope your brother will find a way to recover someday and you and your family will finally find the peace you are looking for in any way you can.But Please know it is in no way your fault.It was ultimately his decision that led him down this road .It will be HIS fight and responsibility to get better.Your love and strength will be a tremendous help but you cannot do it for him no matter how much you love him or how much you try.I pray your family has the strength to not give up on him but do not let him destroy you along with him destroying himself. God Bless
Posted by: Patricia | October 6, 2009 4:05 PM
I have been struggleing with cocaine addiction for over 20 years, have almost given up hope, where can I buy this new vaccine? and how can one get in a research progarm
Posted by: james carter | October 7, 2009 2:45 PM
James, I'm so sorry to hear about your struggle. As I said earlier, a vaccine is a long way from being available to the public. It's still experimental form and is currently being being studied to be sure it is safe and effective. Have you sought treatment? If you are interested in clinical trials, you can try searching this site: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ Good luck to you.
Posted by: Kelly | October 7, 2009 5:21 PM
This is a great breakthrough and should be made avaialbe to many. I have see what addition can do first hand.
Thanks for the article.
Posted by: greg | January 16, 2010 5:52 PM