Comprehensive Psychiatry zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihg OfficialJournal of the AmericanPsychopathological Association zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedc VOL. 12, NO. 6 NOVEMBER, zyxwvutsrqponmlkjih 1971 Cyclazocine Treatment of Opiate Dependence : A Progress Report By RICHARD B. RESNICK, MAX FINK, AND ALFRED M. FREEDMAN zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihg N ARCOTIC ANTAGONISTS have been studied since 1965, as a treatment for opiate dependence. In single doses, cyclazocine has been found to effectively block the physiologic effects of opiates for at least 1 day. It is well tolerated by heroin addicts, and at a daily oral dose of 4 mg, will prevent the euphoria of 25 mg intravenous heroin for up to 28 hr. In our initial studies (19fX-68) we selected patients who volunteered for an experimental treatment, with at least two prior detoxification periods for drug abuse.1J,4-6 We excluded individuals with active medical illness or psychosis, a history of hospitalization for psychosis, a pending court case, or addiction to a nonnarcotic drug. These criteria were applied in the context of priority for admission for inpatient treatment for those volunteering for an experimental treatment. Some patients were motivated mainly to gain rapid admission for detoxification. ‘In 1969, we presented a typological classification of opiate dependence, based on the characteristics of patients who continued with cyclazocine, com- pared with those who discontinued treatment. We suggested that the charac- teristics might serve as positive criteria for the selection of patients likely to benefit from cyclazocine treatment.g We reported that patients who sustained cyclazocine treatment had an ongoing and consistent heterosexual relationship, and rated themselves as using narcotics neither to alleviate symptoms of anxiety nor to increase their capacity to function. During 1969, patients were accepted for cyclazocine treatment only after their admission to the hospital. For selection, prior hospitalization with detoxification was no longer a criteria zyxwvutsrqponm Fromthe Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, New York, N.Y. This summary represents the clinical experiences at the Metropolitan Hospital Mental Health Center for the 2-yr period, 1969-1970. Supported in part, by contracts with the New York State Narcotic Addiction Control Commission. RICHARD B. RESNICK, M.D.: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, New York,N.Y. Max FINK, M.D.: Professor, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, New York,N.Y. ALFRED M. FREEDMAN, M.D.: Chairman and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, New York,N.Y. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRY, VOL. 12, No. 6 ( NOTEMBER), 1971 491