Morphine preference in rats previously morphine dependent.

Morphine preference and tendency to relapse to morphine tolerance and dependence were studied in rats which were previously made morphine dependent. Tolerance to, and physical dependence on, morphine were initially produced by administration of increasing concentrations of morphine sulphate in 5% sucrose solution for 3 weeks. A test for drinking preference was performed 4 days after the rats had been successfully detoxified and showed no significant signs of morphine dependence. It was found that, while control animals drank only negligible amounts of morphine solution, previously morphine-dependent rats consumed significantly larger volumes of morphine solution and had recurrence of morphine tolerance and dependence. The present findings show that chronic administration of morphine in drinking fluid produces tolerance and physical dependence as well as addiction in rats; the latter definition is exemplified by these animals having a high tendency to relapse after successful drug withdrawal.