The Chinese didn’t realize that opium was an addictive substance until the late 17th century. By that point, more than 1/3 of Chinese males reported smoking opium on a regular basis which meant that millions of people were now suffering the brunt of the consequences associated with opium addiction. Even once the addictive qualities of opium were announced, most people did not worry about the negative consequences that were to come as a result of using the drug and most chose to continue to smoke opium despite claims of the negative side effects that opium could have on overall health.
Progressive use of opium can lead to tolerance and dependence which makes it difficult to quit. Opium addiction results in devastating consequences which may include job loss, financial problems, health problems, relationship problems, and possibly death. Many of the consequences that are suffered as a result of opium addiction can be reversed with treatment, healing and time but some cannot.
Opium addiction is a growing concern as the level of opium use is increasing due largely because of the addictive nature of the drug as well as the availability of the drug. In its purest form, opium is far less dangerous than opiates that are derived from the poppy plant but an increase in the number of users who are becoming addicted to heroin, prescription painkillers and various other opium derivatives has led to the need for improved education about the dangers of this class of drugs.
Opium addiction can occur rather quickly with many users reporting becoming addicted in as little as just a couple of weeks of regular use. Though not the most widely abused substance in the United States, opium is the pure form of a more serious drug problem which is the class of opiates. Opium derivatives which come from the poppy plant are the basis for many prescription painkillers including Oxycontin, Oxycodone and Morphine as well as hundreds of other prescription drugs that are widely abused throughout the US.
Symptoms of Opium Addiction
The most common symptoms of opium addiction include:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Depression
- Lying about money or drug use
- Suffering financial problems
- Social isolation
Opium use will actually change the way that the brain perceives pain and can reduce the ability for an individual to feel pleasure unless more of the drug is used. This can lead to great bouts of depression, sadness and difficulty having fun unless opium is being used. This sadness or inability to feel pleasure is often the leading cause of opium addiction as the user feels that he or she has to use the drug in order to feel good. The above is just a partial list see the full list of the symptoms of opium addiction here.
Holistic Methods of Opium Treatment for Addiction -
Opium or opium-based drugs have taken on a reputation as some of the most addictive drugs on the market. While opium itself comes directly from the opium poppy seed plant, opium-based drugs take on a variety of forms, from Dilaudid to Demerol to morphine and even heroin. Not surprisingly, effective methods of opium treatment for ... 
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Abusing prescription painkillers, despite popular belief, is just as dangerous as using other opiate-based drugs and can lead to a number of negative consequences. 
Top 5 Benefits of Getting Treatment for Opium Addiction -
1. Less Painful Withdrawal If you decide to attend opium addiction treatment, you will likely be managed on medication in order to make your withdrawal less painful. Opium withdrawal is not life-threatening, but for many people, it can be so painful and uncomfortable that relapse occurs because the individual wants to make the pain stop. ... 
Short Term Effects of Opiates -
Opiates are a class of drugs that are derived from the opium poppy. Such drugs include heroin, opium and various prescription painkillers such as methadone, morphine or Oxycodone. The short term effects of opiates range from mild sedation and pain relief to low blood pressure and respiratory distress. When too much of an opiate is ... 
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By now, most everyone’s aware of how addictive opiate drugs can be. Unfortunately, many may not realize how many varieties of drugs fall under the opiate drug classification. Best known for their ability to relieve pain symptoms, most opiate drugs work by depressing or slowing down brain and central nervous system functions, according to the ...