Reducing Drug Craving Memories

Reconsolidation as a Treatment Target for Cocaine Addiction

The primary objective is to investigate the potential ability of Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) to diminish the reconsolidation of motivationally potent drug-related cues in cocaine dependent participants. If effective in this laboratory model, Inderal may have clinical efficacy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 60 psychotropic medication-free men or women (15 subjects x 4 groups) who have met DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for cocaine dependence for the past 6 months (age 18 - 50 years old);
• Minimum of three days cocaine abstinent on study days;
• Primary use of cocaine is intra-nasal or smoked crack

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical conditions that might be aggravated by participation in the study:

  • cardiovascular disorders that might be aggravated by participation in the study: hypotension (SBP: < 100 mmHg), bradycardia (heart rate < 60 /min), severe atrioventricular block (Type II or III), severe hypertension (SBP: > 160 mmHg; DBP: > 100 mmHg), myocardial infarction, history of chest pain and admission to ED for chest pain;
  • respiratory disorders: bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
  • diabetic patients treated with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Propranolol may mask the first signs of a developing hypoglycemia.

• Seropositive pregnancy test

• Comorbidity with current axis I psychiatric disorders other than anxiety, affective and substance use disorders

• Severe liver disfunction

• Current or recent (< 5 half lives) use of medications that may interact with Inderal (see above)

• Positive urine tox screen for barbiturates. Positive breath alcohol screen. {Note: all urine tox screen results will be destroyed immediately after collection. The information will not be stored}