Effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in Treating Cocaine Dependent Individuals - 1

Inclusion Criteria: Not seeking treatment for drugs of abuse Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV diagnosis of cocaine dependence (not applicable for individuals enrolling as healthy controls) Positive urine drug screen test for cocaine (not applicable for individuals enrolling as healthy controls) Females must use adequate forms of contraception throughout the study Stable residence for the 30 days prior to enrollment No history of N-acetylcysteine within the 7 days prior to enrollment Nicotine smokers staying at the inpatient unit must use the nicotine patch during inpatient stay Exclusion Criteria: Dependence on any psychoactive substance other than alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana; control subjects cannot be dependent on cocaine Need for medication detoxification for alcohol History of psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, dementia, and organic brain disorder Suicidal or homicidal behavior within the 30 days prior to enrollment History of psychotic symptoms, including those observed during cocaine use History of serious medical illness, including cardiovascular disease, angina, myocardial infarction, liver disease, and kidney disease History of neurologic, metabolic, neoplastic, nutritional, inflammatory, or endocrine disorders Court requirement to receive treatment Expecting elective surgery within the 5 weeks prior to enrollment Known hypersensitivity to N-acetylcysteine Use of antidepressants (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tricyclics), dopamine agonists, or psychotropic medications (such as anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, or psychostimulants) within the 14 days prior to enrollment Pregnant or breastfeeding History of asthma History of seizures Participation in treatment for cocaine abuse within the 30 days prior to enrollment Lactose intolerance