Effects of an alternative reinforcer on intravenous heroin self-administration by humans.
Five heroin-dependent research volunteers, maintained on divided daily oral morphine doses, participated in an inpatient study designed to evaluate intravenous (i.v.) heroin self-administration when money ($10, $20 or $40) was concurrently available. Each morning participants received a single injection of heroin (placebo, 6.25, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/70 kg, i.v.) and each afternoon, they had the opportunity to self-administer all or part of the morning dose. Participants responded under a progressive-ratio schedule (50, 100, ..., 2800) during a 10-trial self-administration task. During each trial, participants could respond for 1/10th of the sampled heroin dose or 1/10th of a single money value. The progressive-ratio value increased independently for each option. The total amount of heroin and/or money chosen during the self-administration task was administered at the end of the task. Heroin dose-dependently increased ratings of 'good drug effect' and 'high', impaired task performance and decreased pupil diameter and blood oxygen saturation. Heroin also dose-dependently increased progressive-ratio break point values, which varied as a function of the alternative money amount. Consistent with previous studies, the present results demonstrate that alternative reinforcers, depending on magnitude, are effective in reducing heroin use in opioid-dependent individuals.
Comer
S D
SD
Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA. sdc10@columbia.edu
Collins
E D
ED
Wilson
S T
ST
Donovan
M R
MR
Foltin
R W
RW
Fischman
M W
MW
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012646:Self Administration; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014040:Token Economy
D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin; D009020:Morphine