Molecular Basis for Morphine Addiction

Abstract

Opioids are known to be used medically as analgesia and illegally as recreational drugs. Morphine, a semi-synthetic opioid is used widely in managing pain. Despite knowing the side-effect of the usage, the number of illegal users of opioids or morphine, specifically, is statistically still growing. Long-term usage of opioids, especially morphine, induces addiction that is expressed as dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal behaviour. Currently, with expanding research on anti-addiction studies, many loopholes in the basic mechanism of addiction were found, providing a setback for the researchers to overcome the problem. Thus, this review is aimed to present the latest update on the cellular modifications caused by chronic morphine treatment. By understanding and updating the knowledge, research can focus on the recent postulation and suggestions.