Diacetylmorphine (DAM) is a highly dependent central stimulant that produces severe neurotoxic effects over a long period. DAM is the most abused drug in our country and has become a serious public health issue endangering social stability. DAM induces nerve cell apoptosis, which has a great influence on human health. In this article, the mechanism of DAM addiction and withdrawal as well as its effects on neural factors are reviewed, providing a theoretical basis to study the mechanism of DAM toxicity in nerve cells.