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 compared for 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.

Numerouspharmacologic agents haw been lLsed in an attempt to itnpmw tmatment ouc~ome for cocaine-dqxdmt individuals. In this study, 41 men and umnen newly admitted to a 3CMay inpatient treatment program for cocaine a k p d e m e were randomized to open treatment with pergolide or bromocriptine (tum dopamine agonists) or a no-medication group. Tmatmmtgmups were compamdfor mean length of stay in the hospital (W), number of discharges against medical advice (AMA), and on a serf-mport visual analog craving scale prior to treatment and again between Day 7 and Day 10. The pergolide and hmocriptine groups both had an MLS of ZS days, with one AMA discharge 6%). % no-medication treatment group had an MLS of 16.2 days and four (36%) AMA discharges. Mean &crease in the craving scorn in the-olide group was 31.8, in the bnnnocriptine gmup, 24.0, and in the no-medication group, 7.9. (American Journal on Addictions 1994; 3:144-150) here have been promising advances in T the use of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of cocaine dependence. In some of the earliest pharmacologic trials, Gawin and colleagues' found the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine to be more effective and than placebo in promoting short-term abstinence (6 weeks) in cocaine-dependent subjects. In meta-analysis of six placebocontrolled trials of the use of desipramine in cocaine-dependent subjects, no significant difference in treatment retention rates be-