COM 0193.044 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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nerve cell receptors wfiich come to expect the presence of the drug. Cravings must be overcome during recoveq in acute and post-acute amphetamine withdrawal. Mane succumb to the cravings and return to drug use. B} reducing cravings, we can improve the success rates of treatment programs. Gavings eau be ameliorated using N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. For example, NMDA receptor antagonism is a major mode of action of ibogaine which is known to greatl} or perhaps permanently reduce mangy existing drug cravings. In contrast to medications like: ibogaine however, dextromethorphan is currently over-the-counter, approved for all age groups and has a low side effect profile. Besides being a safe, over-the-counter NMDA-antagonist. wide( used and easik available (for example. in cough s~ rnps) de~Uromethorphan is also quite low cost. As an effective NMDA blocker, it will reduce drug cravings. Dr. Luigi Pulvirenti, Universitc of Rome and Scripps Institute has shown this in animal studies. Considering the widespread nature of the amphetamine problem, ice need such available, safe. effective treatments. Study Design To determine the effectiveness of the proposed treatment, w e will test } oung adult malt imnates in Hawai' i~s prisons and `Drug Court ~ programs that are known users of amphetamine in a pilot. We will test the results of treatment with: 1) Destromethorphan 2) Nutritional Support 3) DexU'omethorphan+Nutritional Support d) Control group using standard treatnents/Placebo All groups will be statisticall} matched. To uisure statistical significance, each group should have up to ~0 members with a minimum of 2~. The software package SPSS will be used to evaluate the results and their statistical significance. We will be able to compare the control/placebo group with the groups receiving DM, DM +Nutritional Support, and Nutritional Support onh . Long-acting (even- 12 hours) De~iromethorphan azid identical(- appearing placebos can be obtained through bulk purchase from phannaccutical manufacturers. The nutritional support formulas were developed b~ Dr. Richard Ikauffinan and are cwrently marketed through "Recover} Essentials~~ at www.recovervessentials.com . Thee constitute state of the azt "nutriccuticals.° See the Appendices for descriptions and references for these formulas. Other similar products exist or can be developed. Amoorc Health, Inc. will be involved in all stages of grant/studv development Amoore Health will assist with budget and staff development as well as the bulk purchase of the medication and nutritional support. We will negotiate with the Communit} College, hapiolani. and Universitc of HawaP i Schools of Nursing to help us run the stud} . Thee kill assist in data collection and administer the standard available pscchiatric evaluation tools for mood. cravings, and other variables applicable to potential for relapse along with evaluation for co-occurring disorders 2