A preliminary description of acute physical dependence on morphine in the vervet monkey

Previous animal studies have suggested the rapid development of opiate dependency in 24 hours or less. However, the development of dependence on opioids within twenty-four hours has yet to be demonstrated in previously opiate-free human or nonhuman primate subjects. Following naloxone administration, cable-restrained monkeys which received intravenous morphine hourly for only six hours exhibited a behavioral syndrome characteristic of opioid withdrawal in this particular species. These data indicate that acute physical dependence on morphine may be induced after six hours in a primate species.