Substance use and psychosocial outcomes following participation in residential laboratory studies of marijuana, methamphetamine and zolpidem.
BACKGROUND
Non-therapeutic research with drugs of abuse in humans is important for a more comprehensive understanding of substance abuse and for the development of more effective treatments. However, the administration of substances from drug classes with abuse potential to human volunteers raises ethical questions regarding potential risk to study volunteers.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the psychosocial functioning and reported drug-taking behavior of volunteers before and after participating in a residential laboratory study, during which either marijuana, methamphetamine or zolpidem was administered.


METHODS
Twenty-two volunteers were administered Addiction Severity Index (ASI) interviews at intake and approximately six months following their study participation.


RESULTS
No significant differences between intake and follow-up assessments were found on any ASI composite or drug/alcohol-taking variable.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that participation in residential laboratory studies involving the administration of drugs from classes with abuse potential does not alter subsequent psychosocial functioning or reported drug use.
Vadhan
Nehal P
NP
Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. npv2101@columbia.edu
Hart
Carl L
CL
Roe
Brooke
B
Colley
Jana
J
Haney
Margaret
M
Foltin
Richard W
RW
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009518:New York; D011725:Pyridines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077334:Zolpidem
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D008694:Methamphetamine; D000077334:Zolpidem