Cannabis and cue-induced craving in cocaine-dependent individuals: A pilot study

Background: Cannabis consumption is common among cocaine users; however, little is known about its effect on cocaine craving. The objective of this study was to assess whether cannabis co-use is associated with lower cue induced cocaine craving in non-treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent individuals. Methods: Data from twenty-eight cocaine-dependent men were analyzed in this pilot study. Cocaine-dependent subjects (n = 12) were compared with cocaine-dependent subjects who also abused or were dependent on cannabis (n = 16). After at least 72 h of cocaine abstinence, verified using the Timeline Followback and a drug screening test, subjects participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging session during which neutral and drug cue video sequences were presented. Each sequence comprised four video blocks alternating with resting blocks. We report here subjective craving measures that were collected using the Visual Analog Scale, administered before and after each video block as per standard craving measurement paradigms. Results: Cocaine craving was successfully induced, with no significant difference in cue-induced craving between the two groups. However, post-hoc analyses revealed a significant increase in pre-video cocaine craving scores over time among individuals with cannabis use disorders. Conclusion: We could not highlight significant differences in cocaine craving induction between groups, but we observed a possible deficit in craving decay in the cocaine and cannabis group. In light of this finding, methodology of craving assessment in non-treatment-seeking users, particularly when different substances are combined, should possibly include outcomes linked to craving decay. Studies examining the association between cocaine craving decay and other outcome measures, such as relapse, are also warranted.