• Evidence of abstinence from cocaine as indicated by qualitative urinalysis for benzoylecgonine. [ Time Frame: 9 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Evidence of decreases in cocaine craving, demonstrated by scores on self-report measures of cocaine craving. [ Time Frame: 9 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

The purpose of study is to determine if Varenicline (Chantix™) promotes cocaine abstinence in cocaine dependent individuals. Varenicline (Chantix™) (2.0 mg/day) or placebo will be administered in a 9-week double-blind trial to patients meeting diagnostic criteria for cocaine dependence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females, 18 to 70 years old.
• Meets DSM-IV criteria for Cocaine Dependence, as determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID).
• Live within a commutable distance of the Treatment Research Center (TRC) at the Penn/VA Center for Studies of Addiction, University of Pennsylvania.
• Understands and signs the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current DSM-IV diagnosis of any psychoactive substance dependence other than cocaine or nicotine dependence, as determined by the SCID.
• Concomitant treatment with psychotropic medications.
• Current or prior gambling problems.
• Patients mandated to treatment based upon a legal decision or as a condition of employment.
• Current severe psychiatric symptoms, e.g., psychosis, dementia, suicidal or homicidal ideation, mania or depression requiring antidepressant therapy in the opinion of the Principal Investigator (PI)
• Use of any investigational medication within the past 30 days.
• History of significant heart disease (an arrhythmia which required medication, Wolff-Parkinson -White Syndrome, angina pectoris, documented history of myocardial infarction, heart failure).
• History of chest pain associated with cocaine use that has prompted a visit to a physician.
• Current use of reserpine, verapamil, theophylline, trimethoprim, cimetidine, haloperidol, benzodiazepines, or anticonvulsants.
• Patients with bronchospastic disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus.
• Known hypersensitivity to varenicline.
• Patients with known AIDS or other serious illnesses that may require hospitalization during the study.
• Female subjects who are pregnant or lactating, or female subjects of child-bearing potential who are not using acceptable methods of birth control.

Acceptable methods of birth control include:

• barrier (diaphragm or condom) with spermicide
• intrauterine progesterone contraceptive system
• levonorgestrel implant
• medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injection
• oral contraceptives.
• Patients with impaired renal function as indicated by corrected creatinine clearance below 80 ml/min/70 kg as determined by the modified Cockcroft equation (CDC, 1986).
• Clinical laboratory tests (CBC, blood chemistries, urinalysis) outside normal limits that are clinically unacceptable to the Principal Investigator. EKG 1st degree heart block, sinus tachycardia, left axis deviation, and nonspecific ST or T wave changes are allowed; liver function tests [LFTs] <5 x ULN are acceptable).