Phase II Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Reinforcing Effects of Alprazolam in Patients With Anxiety

Summary

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether the benzodiazepine alprazolam reinforces self-medication behavior in anxious patients with varying histories of using other drugs. II. Establish outpatient methods for the study of self-medication and drug reinforcement in patients vulnerable to prescription drug abuse or dependence. III. Evaluate the influence of alcohol and other non-prescription drug use as determinants of vulnerability in these patients. IV. Identify personality, attitudinal, or other variables that might predict different patterns of self-medication. V. Assess the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on alprazolam self-medication.

Timeline

Start

1997-03

Primary completion

—

Completion

2001-03

Publications

• Background Roache JD, Stanley MA, Creson DR, Shah NN, Meisch RA. Alprazolam-reinforced medication use in outpatients with anxiety. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1997 May 2;45(3):143-55. doi: 10.1016/s0376-8716(97)01354-9.
• Background Roache JD, Stanley MA: Diazepam reinforcement in anxious patients. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 4(3): 308-314, 1996.

Drugs

Indications