Neuropeptide modulation of opiate and ethanol tolerance and dependence

Evidence exists to suggest that there are neurochemical responses common to the development of tolerance to and dependence on a variety of psychoactive drugs. Experimental data indicates that pituitary peptides such as corticotropin and vasopressin, in addition to the endorphins, influence the development of physical dependence on either morphine or ethanol. If these findings are supported by further investigations with human subjects, various manipulations of pituitary-adrenal function, such as the administration of corticotropin and vasopressin analogs or drugs such as dexamethasone, may prove to be of clinical utility.