Opiate Use and Abuse

Opiate History The first written mention of opiates is believed to have come from third-century B.C. Greek culture and the writings of philosopher Theopphrastus. By this time, people had discovered that drying the poppy plant's extracted fluid created a highly powerful drug which would become known as opium. The first opiates are believed to have been cultivated during the Neolithic period in what is now known as Switzerland. The settlements in this area cultivated Papaver which was a source of poppy seeds. Many historians agree that these early individuals discovered the narcotic effect of the poppy plant and therefore were the first users of opiates (Rosen, 2009). Opiate analgesics have been used by humans for thousands of years and are the longest continuously used class of medications (Lanier, 2009). What is an Opiate? Opiates, or narcotics, are a group of drugs most often used for moderate to severe pain relief. Opiates are the drugs derived from opium and its ingredients, such as morphine and codeine, and opioids are synthetic imitations of these types of drugs. The term opioid also refers to naturally occurring substances in the body, such as endorphins and enkephalins, which act on the brain to decrease pain sensations (Ling, 1990). Frequently abused prescription pain medications include hydrocodone (Lorcet, Lortab, Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan), codeine (Tylenol 2s, 3s, and 4s), fentanyl (Duragesic), and morphine (MS Contin). These drugs are commonly prescribed for acute pain (for example, tooth, post-injury, or surgery pain) or chronic pain (for example, back pain or pain associated with malignancy)(Byrne, 2009).

What is Opiate Addiction? Opiate addiction is recognized as a central nervous system disorder, caused by regular intake of any of these opioid-based drugs. When these drugs are taken, your body's pleasure pathway is triggered, creating a euphoric "high" that many become psychologically addicted to

References: Bishop, B. (2008, August 14). As Poverty Worsens in Appalachia, So Do Drug Abuse and Depression. Daily Yonder.