Drugs
Information:
Opiates
If you have ever seen the movie "The
Wizard of Oz" you may remember
when Dorothy lay down in a field of poppies,
she falls into a deep sleep.
Well drugs called Opiates are made from
Opium which is a white liquid we get from
within the poppy plant. Many different names
are used for Opiates – they are also known
as Narcotics. Have you heard of drugs called
heroin or morphine? These are forms of opiates.
Opiates can produce a quick intense feeling
of pleasure followed by drowsiness. If someone
were to use Opiates again and again, then
his or her brain would most likely become
dependent on it.
However Opiates are not all bad. They do
have some important uses – can you think
why before you go to the next line????
Opiates have very important medical uses.
They are very powerful pain killers which
can help to reduce the pain of those who
are very sick. It is also important to know
that under proper medical supervision, Opiates
do not become addictive.
Those using Opiates for pleasure rather
than for medical purposes can become dependent
on the Opiates not only psychologically
but also physically.
Physical Dependence is apparent in the
symptoms which the body displays when it
is taken off a drug that it has become addicted
to. When the drug is taken away from the
dependent nerve cells, these cells become
overactive. The cells will calm down and
return to normal after some time is spent
without the drug but until then, the person
shows withdrawal symptoms.
A good example of the kind of symptoms
experienced are the aching fever, sweating,
shaking or chills you get with flu….except
withdrawal symptoms from drugs are far worse.
To talk to someone about this, click on
"LIVE
HELPER" between 1pm
and 3pm Monday to Friday.
Or alternatively go to the What
can I do to help section.
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