Résumé
Cocaine abuse is a real public health problem in France and around the world. In Europe, it is the second most consumed illicit substance after cannabis. The story of cocaine takes root several millennia BC in the Andean populations. A sacred plant for the Incas, it spread rapidly in Europe after the discovery of the America. It’s very addictive action and its cardiovascular toxicity make it a dangerous substance in rapidly dependent subjects. However, no therapeutic molecule currently has an indication in the management of cocaine-dependent patients. However, many clinical and preclinical researches are underway to find an antidote or at least an “addictolytic” molecule. Among the candidate molecules, one caught our attention: acetylcysteine. Indeed, this molecule, well knownfrom the shelves of our pharmacies as a mucolytic, seems to have an action on the neurological circuits of the reward involved in the addiction. Among other things, it would reduce the symptoms of craving. Many preclinical and clinical trials have been conducted and we will try in this work to present the results.