subject: The Analgesic Abuse Delimma And How It Can Be Cured [print this page] Opium, the dried latex taken from opium poppy and a potent analgesic, is one of the most habit forming analgesic drugs known worldwide. Its active component morphine has often been utilized in the medical industry as a pain reliever especially after operational procedures. Opium as a raw material is already an addictive substance when smoked. Heroin, a more concentrated form of drug, is derived from morphine- the active component in opium. For many individuals, opioid abuse is one of the most difficult to stop.
People suffering from opiate addiction are euphoric because it reduces anxiety and creates a deep sense of well being. It affects the nervous system directly targeting pain sensors and relieving negative emotions and discomfort. Initial doses of opium can create such profound effect but, consequent similar amount of use no more gives the same desired result. The consequent use of this drug should be taken in increasing doses to provide the same effect received when first taken. This is often called drug tolerance. The effect of using opioid drugs can last between 4 to 6 hours.
And after that, withdrawal symptoms happen like pain, nausea, anxiety, diarrhea, and vomiting. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms rely on the opiate addict's behavior of using the drugs. Knowing the tolerance and withdrawal effects of opioid drug use allows us to understand why opioid addiction is very challenging to overcome.
There are many measures already taken and are used in managing abuse of opium. When a person suffers from this kind of abuse, rehabilitation takes time and thus needs a lot of patience from friends and family of the drug addict. There are detoxification facilities where the primary treatment of rehabilitation for opium addicts takes place.
Counseling and a support group are additional measures in battling this kind of addiction. For some who have been drug dependent for such a long time, an abrupt quit of opioid drug usage is not an effective way of overcoming this addiction. Methadone detoxification or maintenance therapy can be a remedy for long term opioid addicts. Admitting in a methadone rehab facility is a very common late-stage effect of opiate use and can often help the user return to everyday life as a functional member of population. This has been recognized by the FDA and is a legitimate place for a long time user to be in.
