A Procedure Which Produces Sustained Opiate-Directed Behavior (Morphine Addiction) in the Rat

Abstract

Contrary to naive assumption, animals do not show altered behavior toward opiates after injection. However, a procedure, based on operant conditioning theory, is described which produces sustained opiate-directed behavior (oral morphine addiction) in rats. What is believed to be the first demonstration of relapse in animals was obtained with this method. Examples applying this procedure are given and typical results are shown. This procedure is valuable in that it permits direct experimental attack on many otherwise very difficult problems of addiction. The success of this method in producing sustained opiate-directed behavior in animals has significant implications regarding the development of sustained opiate-directed behavior in man.