Prediction in drug abuse: cocaine interactions with alcohol and buprenorphine.

We describe the limitations on studying the interactions of drugs of abuse in humans. Two 'acute' studies were carried out. In the first study, the administration of alcohol/placebo with cocaine showed the possibility of identifying the euphoric effect of the drugs by the EEG power spectra analysis in terms of enhancement of alpha- and beta-wave activity. The results of the second study, in which cocaine and buprenorphine were administered, show the existence of low-dose interactions and the influence of buprenorphine on craving for cocaine.