Chemical aversion therapy in the treatment of cocaine dependence as part of a multimodal treatment program: treatment outcome.

A pilot feasibility study of chemical aversion therapy in the treatment of cocaine dependence as part of a multimodal treatment program was conducted at the Schick Shadel Hospital of Santa Barbara. Twenty (20) patients (9 treating for cocaine only and 11 treating for cocaine/alcohol), who primarily snorted cocaine, completed a program which included chemical aversion therapy to develop a conditioned aversion to the sight, smell, and taste of a cocaine substitute (tetracaine, mannitol, and quinine with Psychem. Ninety-five (95) percent of patients were followed up in six months with a total abstinence rate from cocaine of 56% (78% current abstinence of at least 30 days prior to follow-up) in the cocaine only group and total abstinence from cocaine of 70% (also 70% current abstinence) for the cocaine/alcohol group. Ninety (90) percent were followed up at 18 months. Thirty eight (38) percent of the cocaine only group had been totally abstinent (75% were currently abstinent). Fifty (50) percent of the cocaine/alcohol group had been totally abstinent (80% were currently abstinent). Validation of results was obtained from "significant others" for 90% of patients.