A model of the opiate receptor is proposed which explains structure-activity relationships of opiate drugs, including (i) the unique potency of certain opiates such as etonitazene, fentanyl, phenazocine, and oripavines; (ii) the role of N-allyl substituents in conferring antagonist properties; and (iii) chemical features that afford "pure" antagonists. The model indicates mlecular mechanisms fo...

Administration of cholecystokinin was recently found to attenuate opiate analgesia. In the present study, the role of endogenous cholecystokinin in opiate analgesia was examined. Endogenously released cholecystokinin was sequestered by antibodies to cholecystokinin developed in response to an active immunization procedure. Morphine analgesia was potentiated and prolonged in rats immunized again...

Background: One of the most important strategies in preventing addiction is changing positive attitudes and stabilizing negative attitudes towards opiate abuse. Current research has been comparing the effectiveness of behavioral recognition and stress surmounting techniques instructions on changing students' positive attitudes towards opiate abuse.Methods: To determine the effectiveness of beha...

BACKGROUND The long-term effects of opiate use on human brain are not known. The goal of this preliminary study was to determine whether human subjects with histories of opiate dependence have persistent differences in brain function as compared with individuals without substance use disorders, and whether methadone maintenance reverses or ameliorates the potential abnormality. METHOD Positro...

BACKGROUND Cognitive deficits and personality pathology are prevalent in opiate dependence, even during periods of remission, and likely contribute to relapse. Understanding the relationship between the two in vulnerable, opiate-addicted patients may contribute to the design of better treatment and relapse prevention strategies. METHODS The Millon Multiaxial Clinical Inventory (MCMI) and a se...

Opiates are among the most powerful analgesics and pain-relieving agents. However, they are potentially extremely addictive thereby limiting their medical use, making them exceedingly susceptible to abuse and adding to the global drug problem. It is believed that positive memories associated with the pleasurable effects of opiates and negative memories associated with dysphoria during opiate wi...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the direct effects of prenatal cocaine exposure and prenatal opiate exposure on infant mental, motor, and behavioral outcomes longitudinally between 1 and 3 years old. METHODS As part of a prospective, longitudinal, multisite study, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II were administered to 1227 infants who were exposed to cocaine (n = 474), opiates (n = 50), cocain...

BACKGROUND Opiate addiction affects young adults whose life expectancy is reduced as a consequence of their habit. In the midst of the AIDS epidemic, the present study objective was to analyse recent overall and cause-specific mortality trends among opiate addicts in Catalonia (Spain). METHODS Mortality was assessed retrospectively in an opiate addict cohort assembled from admissions to hospi...

Background; Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is an evidence-based approach for opiate addiction treatment. While its effectiveness in reducing opiate use has been evidently verified, unanswered questions with respect to the cultural scenarios for MMT programs remain unanswered. This study was conducted to explore understanding address MMT initiation among a women-recruited sample of persons ...