What side effects does Opium have (physcological and physical)? I am doing a school project on the drug Opium. Also, if you could lead me to sites about Opium, that would be great.
What age do youth start using opium?
PLEASE include references.
2006-10-30 11:17:15 · 4 answers · asked by michael 1 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Addiction is only one of the side effects. Nausea and vomiting is another along with constant scratching (especially of the nose). Constipation is another side effect that can have devastating results in itself. The elderly have this side effect often. Overdosing can be fatal. The drug suppresses the respiratory system which can lead to death. If the patient is lucky enough to have emergency medical services reach them before 6 minutes has elasped, he/she might live however, without oxygen to the brain it could lead to seizures, some forms of retardation, heart irregularities and other life altering medical problems.
Opium is the basic ingrediant for many pain relieving drugs that are prescribed such as vicodin, morphine, oxycodone, diladid, codeine, etc.
Heroin is a street drug that is made from the opium poppy that can only grow in certain climates such as Afghanistan and other places in the Orient. Some of that heroin is called China White, and is actually white. Mexico and other Central American countries produce a dark, tar like heroin, called Tar Heroin. All of the aforementioned is dangerous if abused.
As far as abuse goes, there is no standard or typical age the abuse begins. Some kids find the prescription medicine in their parents medicine cabinets, experiment and experimentation becomes a problem. Some adults get prescribed pain killers then they find out if "only I took one more" they'd get better results. Actually this is another side effect called tolerance. The body builds an immunity to the molecular structures and requires more to get the same desired effect.
Once a person quits by choice or by other means (such as incarceration or mandated drug treatment programs) the withdrawal is extremely unpleasant. Nausea and vomiting, the feeling of "bugs" under the skin, a general feeling of malaise or flu like symptoms are common. A constant runny nose is another.
All this information indicates there isn't any sound reason to take opiates. Actually, there is. Under a doctor's supervision AND if the patient follows the prescription to the letter, generally,there should not be a problem. There are plenty of people out there that are in chronic pain and wouldn't be able to function without them. Cancer patients are a good example. The terminally ill don't have to worry about addiction, hospice care monitors the patient to keep them as comfortable as possible during their last weeks, days, hours, etc.
I hope this provides some information that would be helpful in your report. Good luck!
2006-10-30 22:39:06 · answer #1 · answered by jr95667 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Opium side effects?
What side effects does Opium have (physcological and physical)? I am doing a school project on the drug Opium. Also, if you could lead me to sites about Opium, that would be great.
What age do youth start using opium?
PLEASE include references.
2015-08-06 13:19:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Biggest side effect is Addiction. It's basically heroin in it's most simple form.
2006-10-30 13:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by Solunas 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anorexia, insomnia, paranoia, depression, loss of fine motor skills, slurred speech, death. Just Google "effects of opium use".
2006-10-30 15:24:05 · answer #4 · answered by Redawg J 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Did you try Wikipedia?
2006-10-30 13:33:40 · answer #5 · answered by Diane D 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋