Final answer:
The search for effective cocaine use disorder treatment medications has considered amphetamines, which block dopamine reuptake and increase release, functioning similarly to cocaine. Amphetamines, though often abused, are effectively used in treating ADHD due to enhanced neurotransmitter activity in brain regions associated with impulse control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question pertains to the treatment of cocaine use disorder and the search for effective medications. Although many drugs have been evaluated, none have been officially approved for this purpose. One of the avenues explored involves the use of amphetamines, which share a similar mechanism of action to cocaine, blocking the reuptake of dopamine and increasing its release. Amphetamines are typically prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It could appear paradoxical to use stimulants to treat ADHD since the disorder includes symptoms of hyperactivity, but these medications have been found to improve neurotransmitter activity in parts of the brain that are involved in impulse control, specifically the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia.