Pharmacologic Treatments of Cocaine Dependence

The rapid escalation of cocaine abuse in the United States in the 1980\u27s has generated a host of interesting hypotheses on various aspects of this problem. After a succinct discussion of epidemiologic, clinical, and neuro-pharmacologic aspects of cocaine abuse, a survey of the current literature on psychopharmacologic management of dependence is offered. While several agents have emerged as useful adjunctive treatments for abstinence syndromes it is important for the clinician to remember that there is not official approval for such treatments. Additionally, psychotherapeutic maneuvers, which remain the major tools in treatment of addicts, should not be overlooked when an experimental pharmacologic intervention is selected