Leslie Clark
Fact Sheet: Narcotic Analgesics (Opiates)
Defines/describes opiates
They have pharmacological features including abuse potential pain-relieving effects referred
to analgesics, cough suppression, and reduction of intestinal movement often causing
constipation.
Identifies types of opiates.
Morphine
Codeine
Thebain
Meperidine
Propoxyphene
Pentazocine
Names of prescription and illicit opiates.
Oxycodone, Methadone, Heroin, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone. Fentanyls, Meperidine,
Buprenorphine
Street names for opiates
Big O, Black stuff, Block.
Therapeutic uses of prescription opiates
Opiates suppress the coughing center of the brain so it is effective antitussives. This drug
can also slow movement of materials through the intestines a property that can be used to
relieve diarrhea or can cause the side effect of consumption
Physiological effects from the abuse of sedative hypnotics
When users become psychologically dependent, they feel as if they need the drug to
function. Finding and using the drug becomes the focus in life. Symptoms include the
impairment of memory and judgment; hostility, depression, or mood swings; chronic
fatigue; and stimulation of preexisting emotional disorders, which may result in paranoia or
thoughts of suicide.
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Both primary effects and Secondary side effects.
Primary effects
Opium can cause euphoria, followed by a sense of well-being and a calm drowsiness or
sedation. Breathing slows, potentially to the point of unconsciousness and death with large
doses. Other effects can include nausea, confusion, and constipation. Use of opium with
other substances that depress the central nervous system, such as alcohol, antihistamines,
barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or general anesthetics, increases the risk of life-threatening
respiratory depression
Secondary effects
Long-term use can lead to drug tolerance, meaning the user needs more of the drug to get
similar euphoric effects. Opium use can also lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur if long-term use is reduced or stopped.
Withdrawal effects from opiates.
 Runny nose
 Tears
 Stomach cramps
 Loss of appetite
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Chills
 Fever
 Aching
 Muscle spasms
Health risks of the abuse of opiates.
Injecting heroin or morphine can lead to trauma, inflammation, and infection at the site of
administration. Liver damage in opiate addicts may be caused by viral hepatitis contracted
through needle sharing or from chronic alcohol abuse. Serious infection such as endocarditis
is also possible. Local tissue and organ damage may also result from the adulterants in
injection drugs obtained on the street (Belkin and Gold, 1991). Intravenous drug use is a
major concern for the transmission of communicable diseases such as viral hepatitis and
AIDS.
Chronic use of non-injected opioids appears to carry little risk of adverse health effects other
than a modest effect on endocrine activity, some suppression of the immune system, which
has similar implications to the immune suppression associated with cannabis use, and
chronic constipation.
While it is unclear that a withdrawal syndrome exists, physical dependence on opiates has
been recognized for centuries. Opiate withdrawal is associated with considerable discomfort
but is rarely life threatening. The withdrawal syndrome is generally less dangerous than
rapid withdrawal from sedatives-hypnotics or from alcohol, although it may be life
threatening in neonates. Despite the low risk, avoidance of withdrawal appears to be a
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powerful motive for continued use of opiates among very heavy users.
Chronic opioid users may experience instability of mood, anorexia, lethargy, and
depression, which are related to acute drug effects. Opioids have not been linked to chronic
psychiatric disorders, but street addicts have a shortened life expectancy and more
frequently experience social and emotional problems. This is in part due to their exposure to
infection, violence and poor living conditions rather than their drug use.
Treatment approaches to opiate abuse and dependence.
LAAM
Methadone
Rapid detox
Bupremorphine.
References
Drug Free Organization. (n.d.). Opium. In Drug Guide. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/opium
Gahlinger, P. (2010, January 22). Types of Opiate Drugs. In LiveStrong.com. Retrieved
April 3, 2011, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/75425-types-opiate-drugs/
Hason, G. R., Venturelli, P. J., & Fleckenstein, A. E. (2009). Drugs and Society (10th ed.).
Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett.
World Health Organization. (n.d.). A QUALITATIVE COMPARISON OF THE HEALTH
RISKS OF ALCOHOL, CANNABIS, NICOTINE AND OPIATE USE. In Schaffer
Library of Drug Policy. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/general/who-comparison.htm