Can a common supplement curb opioid and cocaine cravings?

NCT ID NCT05610072

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: William Stoops Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at how the supplement n-acetylcysteine (NAC) affects brain glutamate levels and drug cravings in 12 people who use both opioids and cocaine. Participants were given either NAC or a placebo while on a steady dose of hydromorphone, and then underwent brain scans and hypothetical drug-purchase tasks. The goal was to see if NAC could reduce cravings during opioid withdrawal by fixing brain chemistry imbalances.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: n-acetylcysteine
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a treatment that reduces cravings for both opioids and cocaine by correcting brain chemistry.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The outcomes are based on hypothetical choices and brain scans, not real-world drug use.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cocaine dependence opiate dependence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COCAINE USE DISORDER OPIOID-USE DISORDER STIMULANT USE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Kentucky Department of Behavioral Science

Lexington, Kentucky, 40536-0086, United States
University of Kentucky Laboratory of Human Behavioral Pharmacology

Lexington, Kentucky, 40507, United States

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