Abstract
Numerous pharmacologic agents have been used in an attempt to improve treatment outcome for cocaine-dependent individuals. In this study, 41 men and women newly admitted to a 30-day inpatient treatment program for cocaine dependence were randomized to open treatment with pergolide or bromocriptine (two dopamine agonists) or a no-medication group. Treatment groups were comparedfor mean length of stay in the hospital (MLS), number of discharges against medical advice (AMA), and on a self-report visual analog craving scale prior to treatment and again between Day 7 and Day 10. The pergolide and bromocriptine groups both had an MLS of 25 days, with one AMA discharge (6%). The no-medication treatment group had an MLS of 16.2 days and four (36%) AMA discharges. Mean decrease in the craving scores in the pergolide group was 31-8, in the bromocriptine group, 24.0, and in the no-medication group, 7.9.