Narcotics
Types Of Narcotic Drugs
(Narcotics are drugs produced from a base of opium.) Sometimes narcotic drugs are called Opiate Drugs, but can also be called Opioids/Opium, in order to tell the difference from other classes of drugs. (they are the same things.) This term is used because many people believe the term narcotic is inter twain with drugs. The most common signs/types of narcotic drugs are morphine and codeine. These 2 are synthesized from opium for medicinal use. Most commonly used drug is heroin, for recreational purposes created from opium. Synthesized drugs are made with a opium base for use in pain maintament are fentanyl, oxycodone, tramadol, hydrocodone, demerol, methadone, and hydromorphone. The new form of pain medication are being created regularly.
History Of Opium
Opium is a reddish brown, heavy smelled addictive drug formed from juice of the opium poppy, used as a narcotic and in medicine as an analgesic. It was first used in Mesopotamia around 3400 BC. The narcotic went along through ancient cultures in the Middle East for use as a pain relief, and for its appreciated effects. The Sumerians calls the opium poppy Hul Gil, in which it means “joy plant.” "Joy plant" spread into Greece and Egypt, becoming even more world widely used, as traveling became popular and had spread around the world. Today most of opium is grown in Afghanistan, and is part of the reason for war in the/that nation. The first medications were produced from (the) poppies and smoked for its feeling and beneficial effects. Opium was first introduced to China in 400 AD approximately. For a hundred several years, there was no opium or sometimes maybe a little, used in Western culture, due to the nature of belief in Eastern *mysticism* as conflicting with reformation beliefs throughout Europe. It was re-introduced in the culture around 1500 and marketed as *laudanum*. This was used for a lot of purposes and continued to be in market until the early 1900s, in the US and Western Europe. In the present, drugs are produced from opium and others created synthetically to copy its effect.
How Narcotics Work
The medications work by binding to receptors in the brain and spine to stop signals of pain from reaching its location. In short time, these receptors begin to leak pain signals through, making it a need for the person to take/use higher and more frequent doses to hide the pain. With severe pain experience(s), effective pain management necessitates the use of these narcotics repeating to maintain a “blanket” of comfort for the user. This is used most often with severe injuries, cancer treatment, and for those with terminal pain conditions. Some people who live with severe and chronic pain are unable to get relief, due to the quick build-up of willingness to the medications they need to keep pain away. Some doctors will layer medications to keep their patients more comfortable. This can become extremely expensive, especially for those much older than others, with chronic pain conditions who live on fixed incomes and do not have the supplies to maintain their need for narcotics.
What Makes Narcotics Dangerous?
The risk of overdose is large with narcotic use, even when it is prescribed and monitored by a physician. This is due by the layering or blanket effect of pain management. The drugs induce being sleepy and make the user mentally dull, they may not remember taking a dose or feel they need to take more. This is one danger for overdose of medication. Other risks are in mixing alcohol or other drugs with the narcotics, creating greater risk for drug interactions that can be fatal. Effects of narcotics that are dangerous for users are their inability to make sound decisions, due to the drowsiness and dizziness of the user. There is danger in functioning physically and while operating a vehicle or machinery as well. Other effects are damage done to the liver and kidneys of the user, as well as heart rate decreases. Constipation and bowel obstruction are common with opiate use, as are muscle spasms and contractions. Some seizures are also common. Death may occur from any of these effects when long-term or chronic use exists. As dependence increases, the symptoms of withdrawal from narcotic drugs become more severe and painful. The symptoms last for several days and can continue for up to two weeks. Synthetic narcotics create even more severe withdrawal symptoms. Some doctors prescribe additional medications to offset the symptoms. These can be tapered off to more comfortably allow the user to come down without violent symptoms. However, some treatment drugs are equally addictive, such as suboxone and methadone for treating addiction to narcotics.