Opiates are substances that come from the opium poppy, as well as any substance that dulls the senses, relieves pain, and causes a deep sleep. Natural forms of opiates include morphine and codeine. Semi-synthetic forms, known as Opioids) are heroin, Hycodan, Dilaudid, Demerol and Percodan. Synthetic versions (also known as Opioids) include Fentanyl, Methadone, Propoxyphene, and Pentazocine. Some drugs such as morphine and codeine are helpful in dulling the pain of cancer and other such ailments. Other opiates, such as heroin, can be deadly and are potentially addictive.

Illegal substances that contain Opiates which, are commonly abused include Heroin. Heroin accounts for 90% of the Opiate abuse in the United States. Opiates with legal medicinal use may also be abused and include morphine, cough syrups and codeine.

Opiates tend to relax the user. When an Opiate is injected, the user feels an immediate “rush.” Initial effects include restlessness, nausea and vomiting. The user typically goes back and forth from feeling alert to drowsy. With very large doses, the individual may become unconscious and cannot be roused. Breathing may slow down and death can occur.

Physical dangers of Opiate depend on the specific Opiate used, the amount taken the source of the Opiate and the way it is used. Most of the dangers associated with Opiate use involve using too much of the drug and using contaminated needles. Other dangers include mixing the Opiate with another substance or buying a contaminated Opiate.

Examples of specific Opiates include the following:

Morphine. Morphine is a naturally occurring substance in the opium poppy. Morphine is a potent narcotic analgesic and its primary use is the management of moderately severe and severe pain. Next to heroin, morphine has the greatest dependence liability of the narcotic analgesics in common use.

Morphine can be injected, sniffed, smoked or swallowed. When injected, morphine can produce intense euphoria and a general state of well being and relaxation. Regular use of morphine can result in the rapid development of tolerance to the drug and it’s effects. Physical and psychological dependence can develop rapidly and when the user attempts to withdraw from the substance, he or she will develop a sickness similar to flu-like symptoms.

Codeine. Codeine is found in opium in very small concentrations. Most codeine found in medical products is synthesized from morphine. Codeine can be found in many common brand name products such as Tylenol and other cough/cold medicines.

Hydromorphone. Hydromorphone is synthetically produced from morphine. It is commonly found in pain relievers and severe cough suppressants.

Meperidine. Meperidine, also known as Demerol, is completely synthetic in nature and is used almost exclusively for relief of moderate to severe pain. The dependency potential of Demerol is less than or equal to that of morphine.

Oxycodone. Oxycodone is synthesized from codeine and is also used to treat moderate or severe pain. Oxycodone can be found as a compound product combined with aspirin or acetaminophen. The dependency potential for Oxycodone is moderate.

Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetically produced drug whose trade name is Sublimaze. Fentanyl is also used to provide relief from moderate to severe pain and as a surgical anesthetic. The dependency potential for Fentanyl is moderately high.

Methadone. Methadone is commonly referred to as Dolophine. Methadone is also synthetically produced and provides pain relief. In addition, Methadone is used in opiod withdrawal as a substitute drug. Oral use of Methadone provides little euphoria so the drug is perceived as having little abuse potential in that sense. When injected however, Methadone has very similar effects to morphine, so there is an increased risk for addiction for this drug when it is injected.

Opioids have specific withdrawal and dependence characteristics that are common to all opioids that vary according to the specific drug. All opioids cause both physical and psychological dependence with prolonged use. Depending on the opioid abused, withdrawal can become evident after continued use in as little as 2 weeks or as long as 2 months.

Physical symptoms of withdrawal can be very similar to a very bad case of the flu. The psychological symptoms of withdrawal may include depression, mood swings and hypersensitivity to pain.