Opiates are narcotic alkaloids of opium. Opiates - features of use, types and effect

Opiates are narcotic alkaloids of opium. They can be both natural and synthetic, but do not think that these substances are used only for harmful purposes. The most important opiate, morphine, belongs to the group of drugs and helps to relieve intolerable pain. However, often these addictive substances are not used for their intended purpose, which is why they deserve a bad reputation.

What it is?

Opiates are derivatives of opium, which, in turn, is obtained from the heads of sleeping pills. This annual plant grows in the south of Europe with beautiful flowers and a fruit box. For the production of opium, the milky juice of the heads, which are collected about 14-20 days before ripening, is used. Hardening in the sun, the juice becomes brown. The substance contains about 20 alkaloids, the most famous of them are the following:

• morphine;
• noscapine;
• codeine;
• papaverine;
• thebaine;
• oripavin.

Some opiates (morphine, codeine, papaverine) are used for the manufacture of medicines with painkillers and sleeping pills. However, these substances are also actively used for the production of narcotic drugs that cause intoxication, and then addiction.

Opioids and opiates

The concept of “opioid” is broader, this group includes substances that have the ability to penetrate directly into the body through opioid receptors. They have analgesic and sleeping pills, help calm down. Among these substances are opiates, the structure of which is similar to the structure of morphine.

Story

Man learned to use derivatives of opium for a long time, and for a variety of purposes. The fact that these substances relieve pain well has made doctors of past centuries perceive their appearance with enthusiasm and lose sight of their quick addiction. But over time, the truth revealed. Historians have proved that for the first time, opium was used by the inhabitants of Ancient Sumer, Assyria and Egypt more than 6 millennia ago. Later, opium was used as a medicine in ancient Greece and ancient Rome.

In the East (in Muslim countries), opiates were also used for entertainment: the strict rules of the Koran forbade the use of alcohol, and smoking opium allowed the Arabs to relax. Gradually, traffickers spread drugs around the world, trading opium for Indian tea. Therefore, even in the 19th century it was not difficult to get this substance.

Gradually, people realized that opium and its derivatives have a detrimental effect on the body, and these substances were outlawed. Now it is possible to purchase morphine in Russia only in certain pharmacies, having with you a prescription from a doctor in which the number of ampoules for sale is clearly prescribed. After use, the ampoules are given to the doctor for signature, so they should be treated with caution.

Varieties

Opiates are not only substances useful to society that help solve medical problems, in particular, alleviate the suffering of cancer patients, but also drugs. Among them, three main groups stand out:

• natural origin;
• semi-synthetic;
• synthetic.

Natural derivatives of opium include morphine, narcotine, and several others; artificial opiates are heroin, desomorphine, and dihydrocodeine. A brief description of these substances is presented in the table.

Opiates are amazing substances that can both be used for the benefit of humanity, allowing you to solve many problems, and completely destroy the personality, cause severe dependence and complete degradation. Artificial opiates are more dangerous, their regular use leads to irreversible processes in the body and affects the appearance.

State of Opiate Use

When using derivatives of opium, at first a good mood is observed up to euphoria, then there comes a feeling of peace and serenity. After that, the person begins to behave briskly. Of the physiological signs, narrowing of the pupils, a decrease in temperature, pallor of the skin, and breathing complications become noticeable. Constipation, gastric colic, a decrease in physical activity are also observed.

Physical dependence occurs after two days of use, mental addiction will occur after about 90 days. Children in the United States often use opiates in the United States, between the ages of 12 and 17, statistics in Russia are less shocking, and people between 18 and 30 are addicted to drugs.

How opiates are used

These substances can be used in various ways:

• Inside.
• Inhaling through the nose (this is how many novice heroin addicts get used to the drug, naively believing that there is less harm from this method of use).
• Injections (injections into the vein are most common, but heroin is also used intramuscularly and subcutaneously).
• Smoking (opium is used for it).

Many famous people used opiates on their thorny path to fame. Someone managed to get rid of the addiction, for others it became fatal. So, the creator of "Alice through the Looking Glass" Lewis Carroll, fleeing from the migraines that tormented him, crushed alcohol tincture of opium. It was she, according to the writer, who helped him get rid of stuttering, which prevented Carroll from leading a normal life since childhood.

And the poetess of Victorian times, Elizabeth Browning, took opium from the age of 15, the drug helped her relieve the pains in the spine that tormented the girl. She lived 55 years.

The famous poet Vladimir Vysotsky, using injections of morphine, wanted to get rid of alcohol addiction. But in the end, he got a more serious fatal habit, which became one of the causes of his early death.

Opiates: Signs of Use

Each of the opiates is a dangerous drug, certain signs presented in the table will help to recognize its use.

It is important to remember that the signs of opiates are an alarming sign, you should seek help as soon as possible, since the consequences of their use are very serious - suicidal thoughts, problems with internal organs (liver, heart, lungs). The addicted loses the ability to think normally, often infected with hepatitis or AIDS.