In the following paper I aim to provide a review of the literature relevant to this research topic. I begin with a summary of prescription opioids and their use in treatment for pain. I follow with a discussion about opioid misuse and abuse and recent epidemiological research. I review current knowledge about addiction and drug dependency, including recent psychological theories and models of addiction. I also provide an examination of studies which have investigated cognitive impairments associated with drug use, with particular emphasis on deficits in decision-making. Following this, I consider differences in abuse potential between drugs, particularly in light of recent concerns about increases in oxycodone abuse. I highlight gaps in the literature regarding the acute rewarding properties of opioids in non-drug abusing humans. I conclude the review with a rationale for the present study investigating the acute effects and abuse-liability of oxycodone compared to morphine in non-drug abusing healthy volunteers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:719020 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Phillips, C. |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1446098/ |
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