Published Research on Substitution Treatment
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1. Reduction in Cocaine Use, Dependence and Criminal Activity
Results show that the substitution treatment group reduced self-reported cocaine use, criminal activity, cravings and severity of cocaine dependence. Recruitment and retention of trial subjects were high in an otherwise highly chaotic group.
Shearer, J., Wodak, A., Mattick, Richard, P.,Van Beek,I,. Lewis, J. Pilot randomized double blind placebo-controlled study of dexamphetamine for cocaine dependence. Addiction 2003. 98:1127-1141
Reports that subjects reduced their street amphetamine use and their amphetamine dependence while on a substitution treatment program. Subjects were more likely to attend counseling while using substitution drugs. Treatment reduced risk for HIV infection.
Shearer, J., Wodak, A., Mattick, Richard P.,Van Beek, I. Pilot randomized controlled study of dexamphetamine substitution for amphetamine dependence. Addiction 2001. 96:1289-1296.
3. Substitution therapy for Cocaine and Amphetamine
Four experts examine the nature of amphetamine-related problems and consider the role of amphetamine substitution therapy in reducing cravings, dependence and usage of cocaine.
James Shearer et al. Substitution therapy for amphetamine users. Drug and Alcohol Review 2002. 21: 179-185.
Study shows that a cocaine substitution treatment can improve retention of trial subjects and reduce illicit drug use.
Grabowski, J., Rhoades, H., Schmitz, et al. Dextroamphetamine for Cocaine-Dependence Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacol 2001. 21: 522-526.
5. Dual Heroin and Cocaine Treatment
This study examines dosages and treatment effectiveness on subjects with dual cocaine and heroin addiction.
Grabowski, J., Rhoades H., et al. Agonist-Like or Antagonst-Like Treatment for Cocaine Dependence with Methadone for Heroin Dependence; Two Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trials. Neuropshychopharmacology 2004. 29: 969-981.
6. Comparison of European and Canadian Policies
Examines several controlled trials of heroin maintenance from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada, including the Vancouver NAOMI Trial. Policy makers face social, ethical, medical and political challenges in implementing innovative drug treatment programs, even with strong scientific research backing policy.
7. Canadian Drug Approach Survey Jan 15 2006
Survey shows results of Canada-wide survey about attitudes towards drug addiction
8. Intravenous Drug use and Treatment
The results show that methylphenidate is an effective treatment for reducing intravenous drug use in patents with severe amphetamine dependence. The study urges further trial of pharmacological substitution treatments.
Tiihonen, J., Kuoppasalmi, K., Fohr, J., et al. A Comparison of Aripiprazole, Methylphenidate and placebo for Amphetamine Dependence. American Journal of Psychiatry 2007. 164: 160-162.
9. Mental Health and Drug Abuse Treatment
Results of the study indicate that, in subjects with schizophrenia and substance abuse, substitution therapy reduces substance abuse and alleviates symptoms of schizophrenia. The study presents a comparison of various substitution drugs.
Rubio, G. Martines,I., Ponce, G., et al. Long-Acting Injectable Risperidone Compared with Zuclopenthixol in the Treatment of Schizophrenia with Substance Abuse Comorbidity. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2006. 51: 531-539.
10. Economics of Substitution Treatment
This report summarizes key evidence regarding the economic costs related to illicit substance use and presents an overview of the economic impact of different forms of therapeutic interventions.
Benedikt Fischer, Jürgen Rehm, Kate Kalousek. Illicit Opioid Use, Treatment and Economic Costs, and Options for Cost Reduction: An Overview and Estimations. Report to the City of Vancouver's Drug Policy Program Dec 2006.
This article is a review of the history of amphetamine prescribing in Sweden and the UK and describes guidelines for amphetamine prescribing.
Fleming, P. Prescribing amphetamine to amphetamine users as a harm reduction measure. International Journal of Drug Policy 1998. 9: 339 - 344
12. Prospect for Stimulant Maintenance in Vancouver
This article explores the prospects for stimulant maintenance in Vancouver by examining public attitudes and reviewing stimulant maintenance programs currently in place.
Alexander, Bruce and Tsou, Jonathan. Prospects for Stimulant Research in Vancouver, Canada. Addiction Research and Theory 2001. 9: 97-132.
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