New Vaccine Shows Promise in Treatment of Drug Addiction
A medical breakthrough that may help treat drug dependence has become particularly timely.
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October 9, 2009
With celebrities from Mackenzie Phillips to Robbie Williams talking publicly about their cocaine addiction, a medical breakthrough that may help treat drug dependence has become particularly timely.
Williams, the 35-year-old star of the pop band Take That, recently told The Sun newspaper that he was once "on the way out" due to his dependence on prescription medications as well as heroin and cocaine. However, today he's thriving again and he credits the fact that he checked into rehab on his 33rd birthday in 2007 with saving his life.
Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. and nearly 15 percent of Americans aged 12 or older have used it at least once. It is also estimated that more than 15,000 deaths annually are associated with the use of stimulants. However, there may be new hope on the horizon as the National Institutes of Health has announced an experimental vaccine resulted in a substantial reduction in cocaine use in 38 percent of patients in a clinical trial.
"Provided that larger follow-up studies confirm its safety and efficacy, this vaccine would offer a valuable new approach to treating cocaine addiction, for which no FDA-approved medication is currently available," says Dr Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Those struggling with drug addiction, and their families, have a range of resources to turn to, including Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the non-profit Drug Rehab, that may help them overcome the problem, survive and lead fulfilling lives.
With celebrities from Mackenzie Phillips to Robbie Williams talking publicly about their cocaine addiction, a medical breakthrough that may help treat drug dependence has become particularly timely.
Williams, the 35-year-old star of the pop band Take That, recently told The Sun newspaper that he was once "on the way out" due to his dependence on prescription medications as well as heroin and cocaine. However, today he's thriving again and he credits the fact that he checked into rehab on his 33rd birthday in 2007 with saving his life.
Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. and nearly 15 percent of Americans aged 12 or older have used it at least once. It is also estimated that more than 15,000 deaths annually are associated with the use of stimulants. However, there may be new hope on the horizon as the National Institutes of Health has announced an experimental vaccine resulted in a substantial reduction in cocaine use in 38 percent of patients in a clinical trial.
"Provided that larger follow-up studies confirm its safety and efficacy, this vaccine would offer a valuable new approach to treating cocaine addiction, for which no FDA-approved medication is currently available," says Dr Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Those struggling with drug addiction, and their families, have a range of resources to turn to, including Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the non-profit Drug Rehab, that may help them overcome the problem, survive and lead fulfilling lives.
