Novel compounds are provided which are 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors. 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitor therapy. These novel compounds have the structure: <；?in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"?>；W-L-Z (I)<；?in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"?>； or stereoisomers or prodrugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein W, L and Z are defined herein.
