Opium Abuse and it’s Effects on Blood and Insulin Levels
For thousands of years, Opium has been cultivated and used as a medicinal herb that brings relief to human beings suffering from the pains of sickness. But the unauthorised use of Opium caused potential disadvantages for health of the users that sometimes proved fatal to them. Opium essentially alters the functionality of various systems in the human body including brain, heart, blood and also affects the production of certain hormones and enzymes in the body thereby causing immunity disorders in addicts after prolonged use.
About the effects on the blood, initially opium may temporarily reduce blood pressure but prolonged use of Opium results in negative impacts like aggravating diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Let’s look at the results of some of the studies about the effect of Opium on blood and insulin of the users.
- A study reported that glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), as an indicator of poor control of blood glucose, was significantly higher in addicted groups (Karam et al., 2004; Asgary et al., 2008).
- Authors of a study suggested that insulin response may be impaired in users either due to the functional failure of stressed β-cells or by altering of its action on target tissues (Ceriello et al., 1987).
- In one study in opium addicts, FBS was significantly higher compared to that of the non-addicts (Gozashti et al., 2015). In this report, the increase of FBS was accompanied with a significant decrease in the fasting blood insulin.
- In another study the levels of triglyceride (TG) were observed to be significantly 0.18 unit higher in the opium users, compared to non-opium users.
With around 20 million people around the world using opium or its derivatives in more than authorised doses, the authors of studies estimate that 15% of all deaths in this population are associated with opium abuse. Therefore, it has now become increasingly important to shed further light on this issue to better understand the mortality risk factors, prognosis, quality of medical care and mechanisms which cause death, and other characteristics of patients with acute opiate intoxication.
Treatment for Opium Addiction
Opium being one among the highly addictive drugs, treatment at home can be highly impossible with unmanageable withdrawal symptoms. Rehabs are the way to go for Opium addiction treatment. The customised treatment programs and 24/7 medical supervision at rehab centres ensures early sobriety for recovering addicts.
Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.
