Opiates

Short Term Short Term

Long Term Long Term

Physiological Sociological

Opiates are drugs that depress the central nervous system, specifically drugs of natural origin. They are made from the opium poppy plant and used for recreation and in medicine for its pain-relieving effects. the opium poppy was first grown in Mesopotamia in 3400 B.C. and was brought to Persia in 330 B.C. where it became a commodity for trade. Some modern day forms of opiates are: heroin, vicadin, soma, opium, codeine, and morphine.

See below for effects.

Unfortunately, opiates are very addictive, the withdrawal symptoms being severe anxiety, muscle spasms, and diarrhea. Medical treatment is necessary to recover since detox is dangerous and painful. Services available to treat people with substance abuse problems are drug rehabilitation centers, such as the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. Opiates can be used legally for medical reasons with a prescription from a licensed physician. In Canada it is illegal to posses, traffic, and produce opiates. Consequences for violating this rule include fines and even jail time.

-Slow breathing-Vomiting, dry mouth

-Nod (in and out of consciousness

-Sleepiness

-Emotional detachment-Altered mood and mental

process-Gets stimulated, then depressed

-Euphoria

-Infections-AIDS, HIV (from needle)

-Brain damage-Death

-Loss of weight-Lung, liver, kidney, and brain

damage

-Moodiness-Mental health problems

Street names: Junk, Horse, Skag/Heroin, morph/morphine, Meth, Percs, JuiceWho uses it: The most common form is heroin, which is used mostly by adolescents, and some adults.How is it used: Opiates can be smoked, snorted, or injected.