New Possibilities: A Cocaine Vaccine is on the Horizon

New drugs are continuously being developed. Some of these drugs are meant for new treatments for diseases but some of them are to help fight against drug addiction and abuse. For years scientists have been working on a vaccine for cocaine use.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is no current medication that can help cocaine addicts stop their addiction. This does not mean there is not one on the horizon.

What is the Cocaine Vaccine?

The cocaine vaccine is currently in human trials. It is designed to keep cocaine users from relapsing back into their addiction and use. It like many other anti-drug use medications seeks to block the pleasant effects of the drug. The pleasant effects are one of the number one reasons why people use cocaine in the first place.

What Does it Do?

The cocaine vaccine works just like any other vaccine. The point of it is to trigger an immune response that stops the cocaine from activating the pleasure centers in the brain. Those that use the vaccine experience no pleasure from the drug because the antibodies block the drug from ever reaching the pleasure receptors in the brain.

It is designed to force the body to produce anti-bodies much like your body would respond to a virus or a cold. These anti-bodies are actually what block the drug from entering the brain and causing damage and addiction.

If you are addicted to cocaine or crack cocaine, you should not wait for this vaccine to be out of clinical trials. To find a cocaine addiction treatment center call 800-605-6597 Who Answers? before it is too late.

How can it Help Addicts Stop Using Cocaine?

When an addict does not feel pleasure, they should lose the desire to do the drug. Although some people might continue to take the drug out of habit, they won’t experience any pleasure from taking it. Just like smoking or any other habitual activity the vaccine only stops the pleasure from using cocaine not the actual habit.

Is it on the Market Now?

No, the cocaine vaccine is still a few years from being released to the general public, although many of the drug trials appear promising. In 2014, scientists started human trials on the cocaine vaccine.

Although the short term effects appear promising, there is no data on the long term effects of the cocaine vaccine. A true vaccine is still several years away. In order for  the drug to be approved there needs to be extensive human trials and long term studies.

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What is the Downside to the Cocaine Vaccine?

Although no side effects have been released about the cocaine vaccine, some scientists believe that once the vaccine is stopped the habit will just bring the cocaine use back. Only time will tell what the dangers of the cocaine vaccine are and how it will affect those that want to get away from a cocaine addiction.

How to Find a More Traditional Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a very dangerous drug. If you are addicted to it now, it is important that you seek treatment immediately. You can find a treatment center by calling 800-605-6597 Who Answers?. We can help you find treatment before it is too late.