Cocaine vaccine

From Drug Rehab Wiki

Vaccines do a lot for individual health throughout the world. With the use of vaccines, Polio has nearly been eradicated, very few individuals die from measles or mumps and a number of other life-threatening illnesses are kept under control. Now, such an approach might prove useful in treating cocaine addiction.

The Examiner recently posted an article highlighting work done by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine. According to these researchers, they have created the latest weapon in the war on drugs – a vaccine-like shot that will reduce the highs from cocaine use. Abusers and addicts can use this shot to help fight their addiction to the drug.

This vaccine is designed to stimulate the immune system in order to reduce the highs from cocaine. A recent study of the vaccine revealed that it is effective in reducing drug use in many of the subjects involved in the study.

The cocaine vaccine website stated, “Should the vaccine get through clinical trials (assuming the FDA gives the go ahead), it will be a significant breakthrough in the treatment of cocaine addiction, which currently comprises psychiatric help and a 12 step program.”

Dr. Tom Kosten has spent the past 15 years of his professional life developing the vaccine. Kosten told the Houston Chronicle: "The study showed you can take something the body doesn't normally make antibodies to and prompt it to make a lot. Not that long ago, people in the field thought that was a stupid idea."

According to Kosten, the vaccines should be able to work on any abused drug – except alcohol. The Chronicle reported that the National Institute on Drug Abuse is working on a similar vaccine to counteract the effects of nicotine. Only time will tell if this and other potential vaccines will have the desired effect.