INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH IN PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR ADDICTIVE DISEASE - WHERE ARE WE - WHERE ARE WE GOING

Systematic efforts by NIDA and NIAAA to develop new medications for dr ug and alcohol dependence have resulted in recent FDA approval of LAAM for opiate dependence, naltrexone for alcohol dependence and, more re cently, a nasal spray for nicotine dependence. This article reviews th e current strategies that guide these development efforts, including f urther examination of the interactions between potential pharmacothera peutic agents and the drugs of abuse, the enhancement of pharmacothera peutic efficacy with non-pharmacological interventions, and the develo pment of more precise and meaningful measures of research outcome.