Opiate drugs are extracted from poppies grown mostly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Opium and its derivatives temporarily block pain. Drowsiness, abnormally contracted pupils and facial scratching are signs of opiate use. Abrupt withdrawal of these drugs causes flu-like symptoms: sweating, muscle aches, abdominal cramps and vomiting. Because opiates are central nervous system depressants, an overdose can lead to coma and death. Codeine, thebaine and morphine are derived from opium; heroin is derived from morphine. These are opiate drugs. They bind to opioid receptors in the body, producing dependence, tolerance and addiction, as do other non-opiate semi-synthetic opioids.
Opium
Opium is extracted from seedpods of Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy. Known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, smoking opium produces an addicting sense of relaxation. According to Paul Gahlinger, author of "Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide to Their History, Chemistry, Use and Abuse," opium was the focus of wars between Britain and China in the 19th century. As Britain expanded the opium trade, several medicinal preparations gained popularity in the United States.
Morphine
The first medicinal plant alkaloid ever isolated, morphine was extracted from opium in 1817 by Frederick Serturner. It was used to kill pain on Civil War battlefields in the United States in the 1860s, and addiction to it became known as the "soldier's disease." Morphine is injectable and is a controlled substance in the United States under the controlled substances act of 1970. Used clinically to treat the pain of heart attack, it may also be added to spinal and epidural anesthesia for prolonged post-surgery comfort. Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is a more potent semi-synthetic opioid derived from morphine.
Heroin
The chemical acetic anhydride is used in the production of diacetylmorphine, or heroin, from morphine. Heroin can cross the blood-brain barrier more readily than morphine. Gahlinger writes, "Once in the brain, heroin has the same effects as morphine, but because it can get there more quickly, it is overall a more active (and more addictive) drug than morphine."
The production and possession of heroin became illegal in the United States in 1924, but it is still a common street drug. As it is sometimes diluted with food substances or cleansers, intravenous administration of heroin exposes you to toxins and blood-borne pathogens. Heroin addicts share needles and engage in criminal behavior to support their habits. Methadone, a long-lasting non-morphine based opioid, is available as a legal remedy for heroin addiction from government-administered programs. Methadone is also used in the treatment of chronic pain.
Codeine
Extracted from opium in 1832, codeine is an effective cough suppressant and is the most commonly used narcotic in the world. Combined with non-narcotic fever medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol), it is useful for toothaches and other acute pain. An example is Tylenol #3, which contains 30 mg of codeine and 300 mg of acetaminophen.
Thebain
According to Gahlinger, thebaine is a weak opiate. Chemical modifications of codeine and thebaine have produced the opioids hydrododone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Oxycontin), both of which are stronger than codeine and are popular drugs of abuse.
References
- Neuroscience for Kids
- Paul Gahlinger, "Illegal Drugs: The Complete Guide to Their History, Chemistry, Use and Abuse," 2003
