Vol 11, No 2 (2017)
Review paper
Published online: 2017-10-12

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Mechanisms of opioid analgesics addiction

Ryszard Przewłocki1
Medycyna Paliatywna w Praktyce 2017;11(2):55-60.

Abstract

Opioid addiction (opioid use disorder) is a chronic, relapsing disease of brain. Opioids induced persisting changes at the cellular and molecular levels resulted in dysregulation and remodeling of the reward system. These changes depend on genetic and environmental factors. Therapy of opioid addiction is limited and require both pharmacological therapy and psychotherapy. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of opioid addiction is essential for a better treatment of this disease.

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