Wonderful News About a Vaccine For Drug Addiction

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Scientists have developed a vaccine that not only prevents a drug-addicted individual from getting high but also leads to a gradual reduction of dependence. 

The Development of an Addiction Vaccine

There’s a wonderful article that came out today (January 30, 2008) about a vaccine scientists have developed that prevents a drug addicted individual from getting high. 

Although this vaccine currently targets cocaine addiction, scientists think that a similar kind of vaccine can be developed down the road that will deal with addiction to methamphetamine, heroin, and perhaps to cigarettes.  Regrettably, there was no mention in the article about the development of a vaccine for alcohol addiction.

Basically, the vaccine works this way.  An altered version of the drug is attached to some protein molecules to form the vaccine.  This vaccine is this injected into an individual’s body.  The person’s body identifies the protein molecules as a danger and, as a result, develops antibodies that will seek and destroy the protein molecules.  The drug and protein molecules then pass through the kidneys and are eliminated from the person’s body by his or her urine.

Due to the fact that the drug is dealt with and eliminated via the urine, the drug never reaches the person’s brain, which in turn means that the individual will not experience the usual “high” or “buzz.” Continued injections of the vaccine lead to a slow but steady  lessening of the individual’s addiction to the drug.  As antibody levels increase, the individual using cocaine, for instance, will experience less and less of a “high” or “buzz.”

Therapeutic and Not Preventative Applications Are Targeted

While it might seem reasonable to view such vaccines as a tremendous resource from a preventative perspective, the current vaccines, unfortunately, are targeted for therapeutic and not for preventative applications. 

Stated differently, the current vaccines are being developed for individuals who are drug dependent instead of individuals who are potential addicts.

The scientists who developed the current cocaine vaccine have established a “treatment plan” that includes a series of five injections over a three-month time frame. 

How soon will this vaccine be available?  The scientists need to perform one more large-scale study on humans before the vaccine is submitted to the federal Food and Drug Administration for approval.

Can a Similar Vaccine Be Developed For All Drug Addictions?

What is especially exciting about this vaccine, if it proves to be successful with cocaine addicts, is that scientists will then use the same concept with other addictions such as heroine, methamphetamine, and cigarette addiction.  One can only hope that eventually a similar vaccine can be developed for all kinds of drug addiction, including alcohol dependency.  This is truly a great day for addiction recovery!

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