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Opiates and alcohol self-administration in animals

R R Ulm1, J R Volpicelli, L A Volpicelli

  • 1Department of Psychology, Salisbury State University, Salisbury, MD 21801, USA.

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|January 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Alcohol consumption boosts opioid receptor activity, suggesting a link between alcohol and opiates. Opiate antagonists effectively reduce excessive alcohol intake in animal studies, validating this connection.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Extensive animal research over 25 years indicates a significant relationship between alcohol consumption and the endogenous opioid system.
  • Evidence suggests alcohol intake elevates opioid receptor activity.
  • Conversely, conditions of reduced opioid receptor activity correlate with increased alcohol preference.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that alcohol drinking is reinforced by enhanced opioid receptor activity.
  • To determine if opiate antagonists can block the reinforcing effects of alcohol.

Main Methods:

  • Review of numerous animal studies investigating the interaction between alcohol and opiates.
  • Analysis of data on the effects of opiate antagonists on alcohol consumption in animal models.

Main Results:

  • Animal studies consistently show that alcohol consumption enhances opioid receptor activity.
  • Opiate antagonists were found to reduce excessive alcohol intake in animal models.
  • Importantly, opiate antagonists did not decrease the consumption of other essential biological rewards.

Conclusions:

  • Alcohol drinking is reinforced, at least in part, by the activation of the opioid system.
  • Opiate antagonists represent a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing alcohol consumption by targeting this neurobiological pathway.

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