Induction of alcohol withdrawal symptoms by nalorphine in chronic alcoholic patients

The effect of nalorphine on eliciting symptoms of either alcohol or narcotic withdrawal was studied. Five male alcoholics were challenged with nalorphine and saline, both while sober and during alcohol ingestion. After nalorphine, pulse rate decreased in patients when sober, but increased when they were ingesting alcohol. Nalorphine administration resulted, during alcohol ingestion, but not in the sober state, in lacrimation, a symptom of narcotic withdrawal, in one patient, and in the following symptoms of alcohol or narcotic withdrawal in one or more patients: weakness, anorexia, insomnia, disorientation, and tremor. These findings suggest that morphine-like alkaloids play a role in the mediation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.