Methods for the treatment of addiction

• US 20030114475A1
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Recovery Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Addiction Therapies Incorporated
• Inventors: Jorgenson DʼOrlando, Kay, Fox, Barbara S.
• Application Number:
  US10/285,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20030114475A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/282
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/145 having sulfur, e.g. thiurams (>N—C(S)—S—C(S)—N< and >N—C(S)—S—S—C(S)—N<), Sulfinylamines (—N=SO), Sulfonylamines (—N=SO2) isothiourea A61K31/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/415 1,2-Diazoles
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4458 only substituted in position 2, e.g. methylphenidate
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/46 8-Azabicyclo [3.2.1] octane; Derivatives thereof, e.g. atropine, cocaine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/465 Nicotine; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/485 Morphinan derivatives, e.g. morphine, codeine
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/30 for treating abuse or dependence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/32 Alcohol-abuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/34 Tobacco-abuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/36 Opioid-abuse

Abstract

The present invention is directed to addiction treatment methods that include frequent or episodic dosing of medication coupled with a reinforcing behavior and/or stimulus. Performing a particular behavior and/or experiencing a particular stimulus in conjunction with administering medication causes patients to become engaged in therapy and focus on recovery.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient for addiction to a drug, the method comprising:

(a) providing a medication other than the drug for treating the addiction;

(b) identifying at least one reinforcing behavior; and

(c) instructing the patient to self-administer the medication and perform the reinforcing behavior concurrently between about three and about twenty times per day.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein self-administration of the medication provides a reinforcing sensory stimulus.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensory stimulus is unrelated to addiction-related self-administration of the drug.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensory stimulus is unrelated to the pharmacological effect of the medication.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the reinforcing behavior is included in self-administration of the medication.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein self-administration of the medication is more frequent than addiction-related self-administration of the drug.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein self-administration of the medication is performed at least five times per day.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein self-administration of the medication is performed at least eight times per day.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient is instructed to self-administer the medication and perform the reinforcing behavior upon experiencing craving for the drug.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing behavior is not included in addiction-related self-administration of the drug.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the medication is a replacement for the drug.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the medication decreases a craving of the patient for the drug.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the medication causes an aversive effect in the patient in combination with the drug.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the medication activates dopamine receptors.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the drug is alcohol and the medication is naltrexone.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the drug is cocaine and the medication is a 3-phenyltropane.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the drug is alcohol and the medication is a 3-phenyltropane.

19. A method of treating a patient for addiction to a drug, the method comprising:

(a) providing a medication for treating the addiction;

(b) identifying at least one reinforcing behavior; and

(c) instructing the patient to self-administer the medication and perform the reinforcing behavior concurrently between about three and about twenty times per day,

wherein the drug is not nicotine.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the medication is the drug in a formulation for decreasing the dependence of the patient on the drug.