A randomized, controlled trial of combined cognitive-behavioral therapy plus prize-based contingency management for cocaine dependence.

BACKGROUND: Cocaine has become one of the drugs of most concern in Switzerland, being associated with a wide range of medical, psychiatric and social problems. Available treatment options for cocaine dependence are rare. The study sought to compare combined prize-based contingency management (prizeCM) plus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to CBT alone in cocaine-dependent patients. METHODS: Sixty cocaine-dependent patients participated in a randomized, controlled trial with two treatment conditions. The participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG; n = 29), who received CBT combined with prizeCM, or to the control group (CG; n = 31), who received CBT only during 24 weeks. The primary outcome measures were retention, at least 3 consecutive weeks of cocaine abstinence, the maximum number of consecutive weeks of abstinence and proportions of cocaine-free urine samples during the entire 24-week and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the participants completed the study protocol. Participants in both groups significantly reduced cocaine use over time. Overall, no difference in cocaine-free urine screens was found across the two treatment groups, except at weeks 8, 9, 10, 17 and 21 in favor of the EG. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of prizeCM to CBT seems to enhance treatment effects, especially in the early treatment period, supporting results from previous studies. Both the combined intervention and CBT alone, led to significant reductions in cocaine use during treatment and these effects were sustained at 6-month follow-up. These findings underline the importance in implementing CM and CBT interventions as treatment options for cocaine dependence in the European context.

A systematic review comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management for cocaine dependence.

The main objective of this review was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management for cocaine dependence. Contingency management alone reliably reduced cocaine use during active treatment in all cited trials, whereas the positive effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy emerged after treatment in 3 of 5 trials. Synergistic effects of the combination of contingency management plus cognitive-behavioral therapy are shown in 2 trials, but another 3 trials found no additive effects. Positive, rapid, and enduring effects on cocaine use are reliably seen with contingency management interventions, whereas measurable effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy emerge after treatment and are not as reliable as effects with contingency management.

A randomized, controlled, pilot trial of methylphenidate and cognitive-behavioral group therapy for cocaine dependence in heroin prescription.

Cocaine dependence has proved difficult to treat, whether it occurs alone or in combination with opiate dependence. No intervention has been demonstrated to be uniquely effective. Patients might benefit most from combined pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic interventions. The present study sought to evaluate the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of methylphenidate (MP) and cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for cocaine dependence in diacetylmorphine-maintained patients. Sixty-two cocaine-dependent diacetylmorphine-maintained patients participated in a dual-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial with 4 treatment conditions. The participants were randomly assigned to receive MP or a placebo each combined with either CBGT or treatment as usual for 12 weeks. Methylphenidate 30 mg and a placebo in identical capsules were administered onsite twice daily under supervision in a fixed-dose regimen without titration. Manual-guided CBGT consisted of 12 weekly sessions. Participation in the CBGT sessions was voluntary. Primary outcome measures were retention in pharmacologic treatment, cocaine-free urine samples, self-reported cocaine use, and adverse effects. Urine screens were performed thrice weekly. Seventy-one percent of the participants completed the study protocol. Methylphenidate was well tolerated with similar retention rates compared with the placebo. No serious adverse effects occurred. No difference in cocaine-free urine screens was found across the 4 treatment groups. Self-reported cocaine use was reduced in all 4 study groups. Methylphenidate and CBGT did not provide an advantage over a placebo or treatment as usual in reducing cocaine use. There were no signs of additive benefits of MP and CBGT. Because of the small sample size, the results are preliminary.