title: Acute cortisol administration triggers craving in individuals with cocaine dependence.
abstract: Stress is often mentioned as a factor in the development of drug abuse. Twelve cocaine dependent individuals were administered a stress hormone, cortisol, along with cocaine and saline via intravenous boluses, in a double-blind, counterbalanced fashion. Self-reports of mood states were collected prior to, during, and 20 minutes after each bolus was administered. Cortisol produced significant increases in craving while cocaine significantly elevated all subjective ratings (ie, craving, high, rush, and low). These pilot data suggest that cortisol can induce a state that is associated with drug abuse.
authors: Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA. ielman@partners.org
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Elman
authors: Scott E
authors: SE
authors: Lukas
authors: Katherine H
authors: KH
authors: Karlsgodt
authors: Gregory P
authors: GP
authors: Gasic
authors: Hans C
authors: HC
authors: Breiter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone