Psychopharmacological trials in cocaine abuse treatment.

Recent research has produced encouraging preliminary data on general pharmacological treatments for cocaine abuse as well as on pharmacotherapies specific for cocaine abusers with Axis 1 psychiatric disorders. Pharmacotherapy trials with antidepressants, lithium, and stimulants in chronic cocaine abusers as well as recent clinical, diagnostic, and pre-clinical studies will be reviewed. Symptom presentation, severity of abuse, and phase of recovery are discussed as potential guides in treatment selection.