[Neurobiology of opioid dependence].

Opioid dependence is a chronic mental disease with multifactorial etiology. The neurobiological theory of addiction focuses on the manipulation of the dopaminergic reward system as a basic property of substances with addictive potential including opioids. With regular opioid intake, the manipulation of the reward system results in a cognitive bias towards drug-related stimuli. In addition, opioids inhibit the locus caeruleus, resulting in symptoms of sympathetic rebound during opioid detoxification. The pharmacokinetics of opioids also influence the risk of addiction. These biological factors are independent of the legal status of the individual opioid. Genetics also significantly influence the etiology. However, the assignment of this genetic influence is difficult because not only basic biological functions, but also personality traits and mental illnesses are genetically determined.