Clinical Research Directory

Use of Intranasal Oxytocin During Detoxification of Crack Cocaine

This study investigated whether adding oxytocin nasal spray to usual inpatient treatment could reduce withdrawal, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in women hospitalized for cocaine detoxification. A total of 84 women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: usual treatment plus oxytocin nasal spray (30 participants), usual treatment plus placebo nasal spray (29 participants), or usual treatment alone (25 participants). Participants receiving a nasal spray and the staff administering it did not know whether it contained oxytocin or placebo. The usual-treatment-only group did not receive a nasal spray and was not masked. Symptoms were assessed during hospitalization, before, during, and after the intervention. Follow-up assessed relapse and duration of abstinence during the six months after discharge, using telephone contact with participants and family members and review of outpatient medical records. Outpatient treatment adherence was also a planned secondary outcome.