Testing Drugs for Physical Dependence Potential and Abuse Liability, 52

NIDA Research Monographs are prepared by the research divisions of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and published by its Office of Science. The primary objective of the series is to provide critical reviews of research problem areas and techniques, the content of state-of-the-art conferences, and integrative research reviews. Its dual publication emphasis is rapid and targeted dissemination to the scientific and professional community. All material appearing in this volume is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from the Institute or the authors. Citation of the source is appreciated. The U.S. Government does not endorse or favor any specific commercial product or commodity. Trade or proprietary names appearing in this publication are used only because they are considered essential in the context of the studies reported herein. Index Medicus. They are selectively included in the coverage of American Statistics FOREWORD The National Institute on Drug Abuse is pleased to publish as a NIDA Research Monograph this updated state-of-the-art review of the procedures utilized for testing drugs for their physical dependence potential and abuse liability. NIDA has a long history of working with the Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) to attain our mutual objective in broadening the knowledge base in this area. It has been 11 years since the previous review by the Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence, and 9 years since the publication by WHO of Evaluation of Dependence Liability and Dependence Potential of Drugs. During this period, the field has advanced significantly, particularly as new classes of compounds have been included within the range of those known to result in human dependence. In addition, this review represents a major conceptual clarification in distinguishing between testing of physical dependence potential and abuse liability. The rationale this distinction is well described in Chapter II. The ultimate objective is to develop and refine methods that will allow for the prediction of the human dependence or addiction potential of a compound. Too often, the problems of human drug dependence have been attributed to the physical dependence potential of a drug. The use of the word dependence in two very different senses has contributed its share of confusion. effort to maintain clarity, the authors of the manuscript have consistently referred to measurement of physical dependence liability so as not to confuse that concept with the clinical syndrome of drug dependence. This is particularly important since …