Opiates - Causes and Effects
 Opiates are narcotics which contain
Opium. Opium is derived from the pod of the poppy Papover somniferum. There are two
processes which remove the extract. Once in a usable form Opium can be taken orally or can
be smoked. The narcotics which opium is an ingredient in are:
Morphine,
Codeine & Thebaine
Morphine is used exclusively in hospitals, excluding the use by drug abusers, as a pain
reliever. It is allowed into the body in several ways including; injection under the skin,
intramuscularly, or intravenously. It is also marketed as white crystals for smoking, and
hypodermic tablets for oral ingestion. Most of the morphine obtained from opium is
converted to codeine, and secondarily, to hydro morphine.
Codeine is produced from morphine and is found in several legal products outside of a
hospital. It is for moderate pain relief and is sometimes combined with aspirin,
acetaminophen, Robitussin AC, Cheracol and elixir of terpin hydrate. Codeine can be taken
orally and it can be injected.
Thebaine is a minor constituent of opium, an alkaloid present in another species of
poppy Papover bracteatum. Although thebaine is alike morphine and codeine it produces
stimulant effects rather than a depressant effect. At this time thebaine is not used in
this country for medical purposes, but instead is converted into a variety of medically
important compounds.
The duration of the effects of any opium compound varies from 3 - 6 hours.
Possible Effects:
Euphoria; Drowsiness; Respiratory depression; Constricted pupils; Nausea.
Effects of Overdose:
Slow and shallow breathing; Clammy skin; Convulsions; Coma; Possible death.
Withdrawl Syndrome:
Watery eyes; Runny nose; Yawning; Loss of appetite; Irritability; Tremors; Panic;
Chills and sweating; Cramps; Nausea.
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