Opium Abuse and Management
“Opium: that terrible truth serum. Dark secrets guarded for a lifetime can be divulged with carefree folly after a sip of the black smoke.”
― Roman Payne, The Wanderess
The highly addictive Opium or Poppy Tears is the narcotic drug that is obtained from the unripe seedpods of the Opium Poppy (Papaver Somniferum). Codeine and Thebaine are the closely related opiates that are present in this latex. Opium has been for many centuries, the most effective painkiller and was used in various forms and under various names. Many people turn to Opium for relief and entertainment other than therapeutic purposes as it is cheap and easily available.
Opium Abuse
According to the DEA, many prescription painkillers known as opiates are produced from Opium. Unfortunately, opiates like Oxycodone, Oxycontin and Morphine have been the most widely abused opiates responsible for causing thousands of drug related deaths each year. Countries across the world are now witnessing a new epidemic of painkiller abuse that has become an increasing concern in the recent past.
The wide-spread abuse of Opium is not because of the raw tar like substance but the over the counter medication that is available at ease. Many patients’ fake pain in order to abuse the opiates that give them the high and euphoria that the opiates produce. Cases of millions of overdoses and significant amounts of deaths have been reported due to the pills making their way into the wrong hands and thus resulting in abuse and addiction. This addiction becomes more dangerous when it is mixed with other drugs to increase the potency.
Long term abuse of Opium leads to the following conditions
- Reduced lung function
- Constipation
- Abscesses at the injection site (injection opium users)
- Overdose
- Problems with judgement
- Gastric problems
- Dizziness
- Problems with coordination
Why is it important to treat your addiction?
You may never have realised the many ways in which Opium abuse had affected your life. It is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act (DOJ). This means that abusing it or selling it can get you in trouble with the law, and depending on your situation, you could face jail time.
Apart from that, the long-term health consequences include
- Depression
- Damage to organ systems
- Infections due to injecting
- Reproductive problems
- Drying of mucous membranes (nasal passages, mouth, bowels)
- Decreased sex drive
- Anxiety
- Psychosis also has been reported in some cases
Management of Opium Addiction
Managing Opium addiction starts with a detoxification program at rehabs under proper medical supervision. The addict is then assessed accurately during the withdrawal phase to determine the next phase of treatment. The team of psychiatrists, medical professionals and other related specialists will design a de-addiction program that suits the physical and mental nature of the individual to help him achieve sobriety.
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.
