ABSTRACT
This chapter describes characteristics that have been observed in laboratory animals, as well as in persons who have received long-term administration of high doses of the drugs. It also describes the Characteristics of the behavioral syndromes which were interpreted as a withdrawal syndrome when medication was abruptly discontinued. The compounds which are grouped in the broad classes of narcotic analgesics or antagonists constitute a spectrum of pharmacological activities. The clinical use of the narcotic antagonists as analgesics was minimal in 1964 and the World Health Organization committee did not direct themselves to the question of physical dependence to the narcotic antagonists. The withdrawal syndrome can be precipitated by the injection of a narcotic antagonist, such as nalorphine, as well as abrupt cessation of the opiate. The withdrawal syndrome occurs almost immediately following the antagonist or begins about 24 hours after the last dose of an opiate.
