Researchers identify brain region involved in oxycodone relapse

Even years after they have recovered, a person who once struggled with alcohol or opioid addiction can relapse–and that relapse is more likely to occur during particularly stressful times. Now, scientists have identified an area of the brain that plays a key role in stress-induced oxycodone relapse. Their findings explain why the drug suvorexant, which they previously found to reduce alcohol and oxycodone relapse when administered orally, works so well.