Baclofen and cocaine

[jaysa102]

I have been hooked on cocaine for the last 4 years and would like to quit. It seems that a drug called Baclofen, used to treat spasticity in MS patients, appears to help with the addiction. It's suppose to quiet that overwhelming activity/noise in the mind that drives the urge to use. I have no insurance but can probably get it online without prescription.  So far in my reading I have not come across any major side effects. As far as I know I am healthy, feel strong, no allergies, and no fatigue or anything like that. The flu is the worst thing I've ever had. So, can I start taking this medication without seeing a doctor or is there something else I should know? Probably a stupid question but I'm desperate.

Thanks.

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

Thanks for the cover, NautyOne--  I was thinking about how best to respond, and you said it very well.  I'll add just a bit more--

I have several patients who relapse on cocaine at some frequency, depending on stress and finances.  It is a maddening situation;  the use is different from opiate use, probably because of the lower severity of the physical withdrawal from cocaine.  But their use is quite destructive, nonetheless;  it occurs after they get a bit of money saved up, and quickly empties their pockets;  the binges usually involve associations with dangerous people in dangerous locations-- one person shared his story about spending 36 hours in a cheap motel room with other strung out people who were paranoid from cocaine and lack of sleep, and someone sticking the end of a handgun in his mouth and yelling at him that he was a cop...  Then there is the ever-present risk of a Len Bias-style lethal arrhythmia or a brain hemmorrhage, either of which can occur without any warning.  What is it again that is so cool about cocaine?

Anyway, every now and then I do searches for the latest on cocaine cravings, to see if there is anything new out there.  Baclofen is one of dozens of substances that have been claimed to reduce cocaine cravings.  Recently I came across something new that I hadn't seen before-- and this was in peer-reviewed scientific literature: using amphetamine for 'maintenance therapy' to prevent cocaine use.   NO-- this is NOT a recommendation!  I was very surprised to read about not in one but two separate studies-- is this a new trend?

As NO said above, I can't really recommend the use of prescribed medications without a prescription. Some things to consider:  there are risks with any medication, and it is not possible to predict all of the interactions and dangers from taking a medication; the reason for having some medications prescribed is in part to protect a person from known interactions, in part to have a 'rescue' available for unexpected interactions, and in part to keep people from treating themselves with medications, as doing so prevents the objectiveness and insight that the prescriber should have in regard to the effects of the medication on the patient.    Even with very safe medications, bad things happen when people treat themselves-- even when the person doing the self-treating is a person who is experienced at treating others.  Most doctors have had at least one embarassing experience from making an exception and treating a family member-- only to be blamed for some rare side effect!

You will find the information that you seek from plenty of other sites on the internet.  I would be surprised, though, if baclofen had a profound effect on cocaine cravings.

JJ

[NautyOne]

It's doubtful the good doc. is going to answer this question:

1)  Your talking about using an illicit drug and then buying an un-prescribed medication (purchasing online).......

2)  Your question is filled with liability.....both, professionally and ethically .....

I wish you well, and be careful about using drugs without talking with a Dr. first.

luv,
Nauty..........