Opium Abuse
Drugs that are made form opium, such as, heroin, morphine, codeine, and prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, and Percodan, are commonly abused. Opium based drugs result in millions of people using them illegally every year, leading to millions of people developing addiction and dependencies to them.
Heroin is one of the most powerful opium based drugs that is abused, and it is highly addictive. Unlike other opium based drugs, heroin is illegally made in laboratories, and it is illegally distributed in the streets. In addition, since heroin is commonly abused by injection, the effects of the drug are extremely potent and can cause a user to develop an addiction to the drug even after the first use.
Medication maintenance is one way doctors treat opium addiction.
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, heroin is a highly addictive and rapidly acting opiate, which means it is a drug that is derived from opium. Heroin comes from morphine, which is a principal component of opium. Opium is a naturally occurring drug that is extracted from the pod of the opium poppy.
Heroin and other opium drugs destroy the lives of people who develop addictions to them, but there is treatment available to help people overcome their addictions and regain control of their lives once again.
Methods Used in Opium Detox
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, scientific research has led to effective treatments for opiate addiction; these treatments include Methadone, Naltrexone, and Buprenorphine. Methadone is administered daily and is a treatment that is currently regulated so that only specialized clinics can provide it. Buprenorphine is the newest medication used for opiate addiction treatment and it is a long acting agonist. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor blocker.
These medications are the best source of treatment for opiate withdrawal. These medications combined with behavioral treatments have helped millions of people effectively manage their addictions and regain control of their lives. Through medication people can detox from opium drugs with some ease. Since the withdrawals from opium drugs are extremely difficult for a person to go through, the use of medication is sometimes necessary.
Therapy is also necessary since addiction is a brain disease, and therapy is what will help a person deal with the psychological withdrawals that come from detox. Through therapy and medication treatment, as well as support, a person will be able to learn to manage their addiction and should have a successful detox from opium drugs. A person can receive both medication and therapy through rehab treatment programs, which are located all throughout the country and are found in every city.
How Naloxone Helps Reverse Opiate Overdose Effects -
Opiate overdose, whether caused by prescription drugs or illicit opiates, can be fatal. Fortunately, naloxone, an opiate antagonist, can reverse the overdose effects, often saving a person’s life. What Happens During Opiate Overdose? Overdose is a very common outcome of opiate addiction. It is also common for many recovering addicts to relapse and take the same ... 
What is Subutex and Is it a Safe Treatment for Opiate Addiction? -
Subutex is often a preferred alternative to methadone maintenance treatment due its minimal abuse potential. 
Should I Be Concerned about the Dangers of Opiates? -
If you are taking prescription painkillers for chronic pain, it is important to be concerned about the possible dangers of these drugs. When a person takes opioids in the way they were prescribed without deviating from their dosage, these drugs are usually not harmful, but there is still a chance for possible side effects as ... 
How Long Does Opium Withdrawal Last? -
Opium withdrawal is an uncomfortable process that usually lasts for at least several days. According to the NLM, “Withdrawal from opiates can occur whenever any chronic use is discontinued or reduced,” and this includes the natural narcotic opium. While it takes a while for dependence to build up and the general timeline “varies with each ... 
Signs of Opium Dependence -
While few people actually use opium in its pure form, the use and abuse of opium-based drugs, such as heroin and prescription pain pills runs high. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2010 saw an estimated 12 million Americans abusing prescription pain pills. This number coupled with the rising numbers of people ...