Acute Effects of Cortisol on Heroin Craving in Opioid Dependence (Ghost-Basel)

Acute Effects of Cortisol on Heroin Craving in Opioid Dependence

To investigate the effects of cortisol on heroin craving and stress reaction in heroin addicted subjects Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, single administration of study medication Study hypothesis:Cortisol has an inhibiting effect on heroin craving and stress reactivity in opioid dependent subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18
• Opioid dependency
• Participant in the Janus heroin programme of the UPK Basel
• Able to control parallel consumption of other drugs
• Stable i.v. substitution for at least 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• co-morbid psychiatric disturbances
• Current medical conditions excluding participation
• Recent history of systemic or topic glucocorticoid therapy
• known hypersensitivity to the IMP under investigation (cor-tisol)
• pregnancy, breast-feeding
• inability to read and understand the participant's information