Opiates are the narcotic alkaloids of opium. They can be both natural and synthetic, but you should not think that these substances are used only for harmful purposes. The most important of the opiates, morphine, belongs to the group of drugs and helps to relieve unbearable pain. However, these addictive substances are often not used for their intended purpose, which is why they have earned a bad reputation.
What is this?
Opiates are derivatives of opium, which, in turn, is obtained from the heads of the sleeping pill poppy. This is an annual plant growing in the south of Europe, with beautiful flowers and a box fruit. For the production of opium, the milky juice of the heads is used, which are collected about 14-20 days before ripening. Hardening in the sun, the juice acquires a brown color. The substance has in its composition approximately 20 alkaloids, the most famous of them are the following:
- morphine;
- noscapine;
- codeine;
- papaverine;
- thebaine;
- oripavin.
Some opiates (morphine, codeine, papaverine) are used in the production of drugs that have pain and sedative effects. However, these substances are also actively used for the production of narcotic drugs that cause intoxication, and then addiction.
Opioids and opiates
The concept of "opioid" is broader, this group includes substances that have the ability to penetrate directly into the body through opioid receptors. They have an analgesic and hypnotic effect, help to calm down. Among these substances are opiates, the structure of which is similar to that of morphine.
History
Man has learned to use opium derivatives for a long time, and for a variety of purposes. The fact that these substances are good at relieving pain made doctors of past centuries perceive their appearance with delight and lose sight of their quick addiction to them. But over time, the truth came out. Historians have proven that for the first time opium began to be used by the inhabitants of Ancient Sumer, Assyria and Egypt more than 6 millennia ago. Later, opium was used as a medicine in ancient Greece and ancient Rome.
In the East (in Muslim countries), opiates were also used for entertainment: the strict rules of the Koran forbade the consumption of alcohol, and smoking opium allowed the Arabs to relax. Gradually, traffickers spread the drugs around the world, exchanging opium for Indian tea. Therefore, even at 19century, it was not difficult to get this substance.
Gradually, people realized that opium and its derivatives have a detrimental effect on the body, and these substances were outlawed. Now it is possible to buy morphine in Russia only in certain pharmacies, having a prescription from a doctor with you, which clearly states the number of ampoules for sale. After use, the ampoules are handed over to the doctor against signature, so they should be treated with care.
Varieties
Opiates are not only useful substances for society that help solve medical problems, in particular, alleviate the suffering of cancer patients, but also drugs. Among them, three main groups stand out:
- natural origin;
- semi-synthetic;
- synthetic.
Natural derivatives of opium include morphine, narcotine and some others, artificial opiates are heroin, desomorphine and dihydrocodeine. A brief description of these substances is presented in the table.
| Name | Description |
| Natural opiates | |
| Morphine | This is the main opium alkaloid used for pain relief and is addictive. |
| Codeine | Used in cough syrups, high doses are euphoric. |
| Tebaine | Possesseshigh toxicity, therefore not used in pharmaceuticals |
| Semi-synthetic opiates | |
| Heroin | Also known as diamorphine. Formerly used for medical purposes, now widely used as a highly addictive drug. |
| Desomorphine | Commonly called "crocodile", this is one of the most dangerous synthetic drugs, the use of which destroys the immune system and affects the brain. |
| Dihydrocodeine |
Analgesic used to treat coughs and pain, but also used to treat other opiate addictions. |
| Synthetic opiates | |
| Promedol | It is similar in effect to morphine, it is a white powder. |
| Methadone | It is a strong analgesic, while it has found use as a substitute for other opiates in the treatment of addiction. |
| Tramadol | Has a mixed mechanism of action: used for pain relief and relief of pain. |
| Fentalin | Used as a medicine to relieve pain in cancer patients and after surgery. |
Opiates are amazing substances that can be used for the benefit of humanity, allowing you to solve manyproblems, and completely destroy the personality, cause strong dependence and complete degradation. Artificial opiates are more dangerous, their regular use leads to irreversible processes in the body and affects the appearance.
Opiate use condition
When using opium derivatives, first there is a good mood up to euphoria, then comes a feeling of peace and serenity. After that, the person begins to behave animatedly. Of the physiological signs, constriction of the pupils, a decrease in temperature, pallor of the skin and breathing complications become noticeable. There are also constipation, stomach cramps, decreased physical activity.
Physical addiction occurs after two days of use, mental addiction occurs after about 90 days. Opiates in the United States are often used by very children, aged 12 to 17 years, in Russia the statistics are less shocking, people aged 18 to 30 are addicted to drugs.
How opiates are used
These substances can be used in a variety of ways:
- Inside.
- By inhaling through the nose (this is how many new addicts become addicted to the drug, naively believing that this way of using is less harmful).
- Injection (intravenous injections are the most common, but heroin is also used intramuscularly and subcutaneously).
- Smoking (using opium).
Many famous people on their thorny path to fame usedopiates. Someone managed to get rid of addiction, for others it became fatal. So, the creator of "Alice Through the Looking-Glass" Lewis Carroll, fleeing from migraines that tormented him, crushed an alcohol tincture of opium. It was she who, according to the writer, helped him get rid of stuttering, which had prevented Carroll from leading a normal life since childhood.
And the Victorian poet, Elizabeth Browning, took opium from the age of 15, the drug helped her to relieve the severe pain in the spine that tormented the girl. She lived for 55 years.
The famous poet Vladimir Vysotsky wanted to get rid of alcohol addiction with the help of morphine injections. But in the end, he developed a more serious destructive habit, which became one of the reasons for his early death.
Opiates: signs of use
Each of the opiates is a dangerous drug, certain signs presented in the table will help to recognize its use.
| Type of drug | Signs |
| Heroin | Decrease in mental activity, constant nausea with vomiting, breathing problems. |
| Morphine | Decreased temperature or constant alternation of chills and heat, small pupils, apathy and drowsiness, pus, diarrhea or constipation at the injection sites. |
| Codeine | Slight carelessness and a state of euphoria, relaxation. Long term useleads to lethargy, causes diarrhea, headaches and convulsions. |
| Opium | Increased salivation, constant runny nose, decreased mental activity, frequent yawning, weight loss. The opium addict's face quickly wrinkles and suffers from toothache. |
It is important to remember that the signs of opiates are an alarm sign, you should seek help as soon as possible, because the consequences of their use are very serious - suicidal thoughts, problems with internal organs (liver, heart, lungs). The addict loses the ability to think normally, often becomes infected with hepatitis or AIDS.
