Oxytocin and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Drug Dependence
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2013-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background:
- The therapeutic alliance between therapist and patient may contribute to favorable outcomes
in all types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for drug
dependence. Oxytocin, a hormone and neurotransmitter, has been shown to increase trust in
other people and may reduce stress and improve comfort in social situations by decreasing the
sensation of social anxiety. Researchers are interested in determining if oxytocin can
improve the outcomes of therapy for drug dependence by strengthening perceived levels of
trust between therapist and patient.
Objectives:
- To determine whether oxytocin enhances the therapeutic alliance and treatment retention for
CBT for drug use.
Eligibility:
- Individuals between 18 and 65 years of age who are healthy volunteers with no history of
drug abuse, participants in outpatient or inpatient treatment programs for cocaine use,
methadone-dependent participants in a treatment program, or non-treatment-seeking cocaine
users.
Design:
- Participants in each treatment arm who comply with the study requirements will be
randomly assigned to receive one dose of oxytocin or placebo approximately 1 hour before
each weekly CBT session.
- The outpatient treatment intervention will be 12 weeks of weekly individual CBT. The
inpatient treatment intervention will be 6 weeks of twice-weekly individual CBT
sessions. Sessions will be audiotaped. Participants and counselors will be told that the
sessions are to be taped.
- During treatment, participants will provide urine and breath samples under staff
observation. Participants will also complete questionnaires about mood and mental
health, provide other samples as required, and participate in computerized psychological
testing as directed by researchers.