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    Opium(Bluki/Afeem/Heroin)

    Opium is a naturally occurring substance that is extracted from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. Narcotics like morphine are derived from opium, which has powerful mind-altering and pain-numbing effects. In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its legitimate medical applications. However, it also carries a significant risk for abuse, diversion, and addiction, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports.

    It was first documented as being cultivated in Southwest Asia, specifically in lower Mesopotamia, around 3400 BC. The Sumerians referred to it as the “joy plant,” according to the DEA Museum. The cultivation, spread, and use quickly expanded along the Silk Road, reaching the Mediterranean, Asia, and eventually China. The Opium Wars of the 1800s and subsequent Chinese immigration brought opium to the US where opium dens (places where people could buy, sell, and smoke opium) sprung up. Opium poppy plants grow best in warm, dry climates, and today, a large portion of the world’s opium is cultivated in the Middle East, though it is also produced in parts of Latin America as well.

    Heroin is a highly addictive and illegal drug that is synthesized from morphine, which is directly derived from opium resin. There are hundreds of opium derivatives that fall into the category of opioid drugs, which are common drugs of abuse and also highly addictive in nature. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that around the world 26.4-36 million people abuse opioid drugs.

    Opium Abuse

    It is commonly sold as a fine brownish powder, though it can also be found in liquid or solid form. When misused, it may be taken as a pill, injected, or smoked. Often, individuals use an opium pipe to smoke the substance. It may also be mixed with other drugs, like marijuana in a combination termed Buddha.

    As a strong central nervous system depressant, it reduces anxiety, numbs pain, and slows breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, while creating a euphoric and calming “high” much like the effects of heroin. When a person is under the influence of it, they may seem to be “on the nod,” shifting between consciousness and unconsciousness. Movements may be sluggish, and motor control is impaired. Dry mouth, skin flushing, and constipation are additional side effects.

    It also disrupts normal brain functioning, making it difficult to think clearly and make sound decisions. An individual may begin to take greater risks than usual when using it and behave in ways that are not typical for them.

    Some individuals may believe that this is less harmful than other drugs because it is a natural substance derived from a plant. This is not the case, however, as opium carries a high risk for physical and psychological dependence, overdose, and addiction; these dangers increase with long-term regular use.

    Overdose and Risks of Abuse

    Overdose deaths from opioid drugs have reached epidemic levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 91 people die from an opioid overdose daily in the US. Opium, and other opioid drugs, can overwhelm the system, causing a person to struggle to breathe or stop breathing altogether. As mentioned, body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate are all lowered with the presence of this in the bloodstream as well. During an overdose, skin will likely be cold and clammy to the touch, and fingernails and lips may appear bluish in color. Mental functions will be impaired, and a person may lose consciousness and be difficult to awaken.

    The CDC reports that more than 33,000 people in the United States lost their lives to an opioid overdose in 2015. Opioid overdose is often reversible with the rapid administration of an opioid antagonist such as naloxone (Narcan). The antagonist attaches to opioid receptors in the brain and essentially “pushes out” the opium to counteract its effects. During the overdose, the brain can be deprived of oxygen, which can result in brain damage that may not be entirely recoverable, however. The earlier the antidote is given, the greater the chances that the harm can be reversed.

    When it is combined with other substances, its side effects can become more intense. This can make reversing an overdose harder when polydrug use occurs, sometimes needing several doses of the antagonist to be effective.

    In addition to the risk for overdose, opium abuse can have various negative side effects. It interferes with how the muscles in the intestines function, which can lead to constipation. It can also dry out the mucus membranes in the nose as well as cause dry mouth.

    The method by which a person uses this can also bring certain risk factors. For instance, smoking opium may result in respiratory problems and lung infections, while taking it orally might lead to stomach ulcers. Injecting opium can lead to skin infections and collapsed veins, and raise the odds for contracting an infectious disease like HIV/AIDS or hepatitis when unsanitary needles are shared.

    NIDA warns that heroin use (and therefore also opium abuse) can cause kidney, liver, and lung complications when used long-term. It can also result in infections around the lining of the heart and its valves, and also potential skin abscesses. It also causes physical and psychological dependence when taken regularly.

    Physical Dependence and Opium Withdrawal

    Opium disrupts normal brain function by attaching to opioid receptors and triggering a surge of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps transmit signals across the central nervous system. These signals influence emotions such as happiness, and also play a role in movement, memory, learning, and sleep. When levels of dopamine are artificially enhanced via opium interaction, the brain can stop producing it and moving it around as it normally would. Then, as it leaves the body after use, dopamine levels may decrease. Low levels of dopamine can cause depression, anxiety, tremors, memory and concentration issues, and difficulties sleeping.

    As the brain becomes physically reliant on opium to manage neurotransmitter function, noticeable withdrawal symptoms may occur once the drug is no longer in the bloodstream. Opioid withdrawal can be intense and, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), often begins within approximately 12 hours after the last opioid dose. In addition to the above symptoms, opium withdrawal symptoms can include agitation, sweating, diarrhea, goosebumps, increased tearing, runny nose, muscle aches, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and yawning.

    Withdrawal symptoms typically peak within 2-3 days and then begin to taper off. Overall, the majority of withdrawal symptoms usually last about a week while insomnia, depression, and drug cravings may continue for a bit longer.

    Stopping opium use cold turkey is not usually recommended when a person is physically dependent on it, as the flu-like physical and emotional symptoms can be difficult to endure. Addiction is often a side effect of chronic opium use, as regular use can quickly lead to compulsive use and a loss of control over the ability to regulate how much of the drug is taken at a time and how often.

    The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) reports that over 2.5 million people battled opioid addiction in the United States in 2015. Addiction is the inability to stop using a substance even when there is a desire or effort to quit. It is recognized as a brain disorder that can be treated with professional care.

    Treating The Addiction

    Because of the potentially intense nature of opium withdrawal, treatment for the addiction often begins with detox. The most thorough approach is medical detox, typically offered in a specialized setting where the individual stays for several days as the drug clears from the system. It may be gradually reduced over time, with dosage carefully lowered to prevent the adverse effects of quitting abruptly. Vital signs are monitored around the clock, and medications can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms during medical detox.
    Replacement opioid agonist drugs like buprenorphine or methadone are often helpful in the treatment of opioid addiction as they are long-acting agonists that can be taken less often to keep cravings and withdrawal symptoms to a minimum. These, too, can be tapered off slowly over time.
    Opium addiction is commonly addressed through behavioral therapies offered in either outpatient or residential settings. The selected treatment method is based on each person’s individual needs and may vary from one person to the next. A thorough evaluation is typically conducted by a qualified professional before entering a program to ensure the best fit.

    Both outpatient and residential addiction treatment models include therapy, support groups, and relapse prevention programs. Group and individual therapy sessions can help clients to modify potentially self-destructive behavior patterns and improve self-reliance and self-esteem. Triggers that may induce cravings or raise stress levels are explored, and new coping mechanisms are learned. Families and individuals may attend therapy as well, which can help to enhance communication and improve the workings of the family unit overall. Any potential co-occurring disorders should also be managed and treated through integrated methods during opium addiction treatment.

    Support groups offer a valuable way for individuals to connect with peers facing similar situations, providing encouragement and helping to reduce the risk of relapse. Clients often begin attending 12-Step or peer support groups during treatment and continue with them after completing a rehab program.

    Supportive therapies such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, art therapy, massage, chiropractic care, exercise routines, and nutrition planning can all be included in an opium addiction treatment plan. Every program should be customized to fit the individual’s needs to support long-term recovery, overall wellness, and lasting happiness.