OpiatesClare Altman, William Ko, Gregory Lipson, Hannah Reale, & Ailie Strauss

Opiates: What Are They?Opiates are derived from the sap of the poppy plant (papaver somniferum).They attach to the brain and send their own message, which can cause addiction.Causes relaxation and a decrease in alertness, coordination, or feeling of pain.3 Kinds of OpiatesNatural - from the poppy plant and extremely addicting.Semi-Synthetic - made from the natural opiate Morphine and are not as addicting.Synthetic - artificial and range in addictiveness.

How Are Opiates Used?

DrugHow Is It Taken?Why Is It Used?OpiumSmokedSwallowedRelaxationRelief from stress, anxiety, and/or painFeel Good ChemicalsHeroinInjectedSmokedSnorted/InhaledPleasureEuphoriaPain reliefPrescription Pain KillersInjectedSwallowedSmokedRelief of moderate, severe, or chronic pains

Prescription PainkillersCalled narcoticsMorphine Sometimes prescribed by medical professionals.Codeine An ingredient in some cough medications.OxyContin Used to relieve severe and chronic pains.Block pain messengers in the brain: The opioid receptors, particular parts of the brain which bring messages to the brain, are targeted, so pain which one would normally feel is not recognized as being painful.Can cause euphoria, drowsiness, constipation, pinpoint pupils, slow and shallow breathing, convulsions, coma, and death.Short-term effects include energy and concentration problems, nausea, vomiting, etc.; The main long-term effect is addiction, where ones mind and body depend too much on the drug to be able to properly function on their own.Abuse leads to addiction.If used to excess, at too high a dose, or taken with alcohol, they can easily become life-threatening and lead to death.Pharmacists are required to keep records of all sales of narcotics because of their highly dangerous qualities.

HeroinA physically addictive narcotic drugProcessed form of morphineDepresses the central nervous system, slows breathing and pulse rate, can cause infection of the heart lining and valves, can also cause liver diseaseUsing infected injection needles can lead to infectious diseases like pneumonia, HIV, and hepatitis BOverdose may result in a coma or deathPeople who use it quickly or easily develop a tolerance of it, and therefore use it more oftenPainful withdrawalFetal death may occur if the user is pregnant

Risks of Addiction and Withdrawal Effects

Risks of OverdoseHeroinComas, feinting, slowed heart rate, slowed breathing, and death.Brain damage, liver disease, or viruses.Disorientation, delirium, blue lips and finger nails, or seizures may occur.Prescription Pain KillersConfusion/disorientation, tremors, shaking, seizures, or extremely deep sleeping.Slowed heart rate or breathing and other respiratory problems cause a lack of oxygen.Comas, feinting, and death

Effects on the Brain and the Body

Short Term Effects

Long Term Effects