Opiates, sometimes referred to as narcotics, are a group of drugs that are used medically to relieve pain, but also have a high potential for abuse. Some opiates are taken from the resin from the seed pod of the Asian poppy. This group of drugs includes opium, morphine, heroin, and codeine. Other opiates, such as meperidine (Demerol), are synthesized or manufactured. Opium appears as dark brown chunks of powder which is usually dissolved in water and injected. Most street preparations of heroin are diluted, or “cut”, with other substances such as sugar or quinine. Other opiates come in a variety of forms including capsules, tablets, syrups, solutions, and suppositories. Heroin accounts for 90 percent of the opiate abuse in the United States. Sometimes opiates with legal medicinal purposes are abused. They include morphine, meperidine, paregoric (which contains opium), and cough syrups that contain codeine (or a synthetic narcotic, such as dextromethorphan).

Opiates tend to relax the user. When opiates are injected, the user feels an immediate “rush”. Other initial and unpleasant effects include restlessness, nausea, and vomiting. The user may go “on the nod”, going back and forth from feeling alert to drowsy. With very large doses, the user cannot be awakened, pupils become smaller, and the skin becomes cold, moist, and bluish in color. Breathing slows down and death may occur.

Opiate Addiction in a pregnant woman can be harmful to a developing fetus. Pregnant women who are addicted to opiates have a higher risk of spontaneous abortions, breech deliveries, premature births, and stillbirths. Babies born to mothers with Opiate Addiction often have withdrawal symptoms similar to adults. These symptoms can last for several weeks or months. Researchers have also found an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) among babies born to Opiate-addicted mothers.

When high doses have been taken for several weeks, a sudden withdrawal causes symptoms of discomfort similar to the flu. These include Aches, Sweating and chills, Tremors, Sneezing and yawning and muscular spasms, all or some of which usually commence between 8 and 24 hours after the last dose. Although these effects usually fade within 7-10 days, feelings of weakness and loss of well being can last for several months.

Prolonged usage with an Opiate Addiction can result in physical damage to the body, although not necessarily from the drug itself. Repeated injections with dirty needles can result in diseases such as Hepatitus, AIDS, and Tetanus, especially when sharing needles. There is also a risk of using impure drugs which have been mixed with unknown substances. Repeated sniffing causes damage to the nose.

Opiate Addiction is a serious illness that may require treatment with a certified addiction counselor or in a residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This is a serious and life threatening illness that needs to be treated as such. If you or someone you know needs help recovering from Opiate Addiction, please call us. We are here to help you and your loved ones through the recovery process so you can all begin to get your lives back on track.