Morphofunctional alterations in ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons in acute and prolonged opiates withdrawal. A computational perspective

•Opiates withdrawal inhibits mesolimbic dopaminergic activity and dopamine release.•These effects can be described using a biophysically plausible computational model.•A specific GABA/GLU input imbalance reproduces withdrawal effects on dopamine cells.•Morphological changes may influence response to morphine of dopamine cells.•Down-regulation of GLU inputs may explain post-withdrawal hypodopaminergic state.