Grant: Operating Grant

This study seeks to determine whether capsules of cannabidiol (CBD) will decrease the desire to use cocaine among dependent individuals during early abstinence, as well as the risk of relapse after detoxification. A growing concern in public health has developed over recent years in regard to cocaine abuse and its consequences on health. Cocaine addiction is a chronic and relapsing disorder characterized by a persistent desire to use drug (called craving) and loss of control over one's consumption. This disorder is associated with suffering and severe health problems in patients, distress among family members, as well as significant human and financial costs to society. Unfortunately, of the millions of people addicted to cocaine in the world, only a minority of patients receive adequate treatment. Moreover, conventional treatment strategies (detoxification, support groups) are often insufficient in treating addiction to cocaine and no medication is yet available for this disease. CBD is a natural substance that has properties opposite to that of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is found in cannabis. CBD has been proved to be safe in numerous studies, and its protective effects on the brain have been well demonstrated. It reduces drug-seeking behaviours and vulnerability to stress, a frequent cause of relapse in patients addicted to cocaine. Thus, CBD appears to be a promising strategy to treat cocaine addiction. 110 patients admitted to a detoxification program at the University of Montreal Hospital Center will receive either CBD or a placebo for 8 days during their inpatient stay and for 12 weeks after detoxification. Craving and other symptoms such as anxiety will be evaluated, as well as cocaine use and relapse. We hypothesize that CBD will decrease craving and relapse compared to placebo. This medication could be crucial for both patients and the society by interrupting the destructive cycle of cocaine dependence.