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Pharmacotherapy for Marijuana Dependence: A Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Pilot Study of Divalproex Sodium
Author(s) -
Levin Frances Rudnick,
McDowell David,
Evans Suzette M.,
Nunes Edward,
Akerele Evaristo,
Donovan Stephen,
Vosburg Suzanne K.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490490265280
Subject(s) - irritability , divalproex , placebo , cocaine dependence , pharmacotherapy , medicine , psychology , clinical trial , psychosocial , psychiatry , bipolar disorder , mood , addiction , mania , anxiety , alternative medicine , pathology
There is a noticeable lack of targeted treatment options for marijuana dependence, in particular pharmacologic approaches. This is the first study evaluating a targeted pharmacologic approach for marijuana dependence. The goals of the study were to determine if such patients would seek pharmacologic treatment, whether these patients could be retained in treatment using a design previously developed for cocaine‐dependent patients, and especially whether divalproex sodium showed promise as a treatment agent for marijuana dependence. We found that marijuana‐dependent patients will seek treatment, and such patients can be adequately maintained in a pharmacologic trial. Regardless of treatment group, patients reported a significant reduction in their frequency and amount of marijuana use as well as a reduction in irritability. Given the lack of proven effective treatments for marijuana dependence, pharmacotherapies should be sought. The design of a preliminary clinical trial should include a psychosocial/behavioral intervention emphasizing motivation and medication compliance and a placebo control group.