Anxiety drug found to be effective in substance abuse treatment

According to a study on animals, a memory-boosting medication paired with behavioural therapy could help addicts stay clean.

The drug D-cycloserine, earlier used to treat fear and anxiety disorders may help addicts resist the urge to reach for drugs when exposed to drug-related cues outside of rehab.

Substance abusers are known to often relapse into old habits after they 'quit'.

In the study, researchers led by Yale University professor Mary Torregrossa, observed 168 rats that self-administered cocaine for weeks, a behavior that parallels addiction in humans.

The researchers then used a form of behavioral therapy called extinction therapy to weaken the effects of cues that induce craving and then added the memory-enhancing drug to the regimen.

According to Torregrossa, extinction therapy is effective only where the therapy is administered like at a treatment centre.