Vaccine Reduces Cocaine Addiction, Study Says

Vaccines to help people recover from such addictions as nicotine, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines appear scientifically and medically achievable after doctors reported Monday that a vaccine to treat cocaine dependence had produced a large enough antibody response to reduce cocaine use in 38 percent of addicted individuals.

Those results come on the heels of last week's announcement that the federal government will fund a large clinical trial of a nicotine vaccine based on earlier promising studies.

Neither the nicotine nor the cocaine vaccine prevent addiction the way traditional vaccines prevent diseases. Nor do similar vaccines in development.

Instead the products are designed for use with other treatments, such as behavioral therapy, to help people kick the habit.

They work by stimulating the body's immune system to create antibodies that bind to the drug and prevent it from reaching the brain and producing a chemical high.