Introduction: Opiates (narcotics) are a group of drugs which are used medically to relieve pain, but also have a high potential for abuse. This group of drugs includes opium, morphine, heroin, dilaudid and codeine. Other opiates such as meperidine (Demerol) and Methadone are synthesized or manufactured.
I. Effects
A. Depresses the brain causing:
1. analgesic effect (relief of pain)
2. sedation (nodding)
3. going back and forth between alert and drowsy
4. restlessness
5. pupils become smaller
6. skin becomes cold, moist and bluish in color
7. breathing slows down-can decrease to 2-3 breaths per minute
8. death may occur
B. Withdrawal symptoms (usually begins within 4-6 hours after the last dose)
1. uneasiness
2. diarrhea
3. abdominal cramping
4. chills
5. sweating
6. nausea & vomiting
7. runny nose & watery eyes
8. joint pain
*Withdrawal symptoms are stronger approximately 24-72 hours after they begin.
*Opiate withdrawal/detox IS NOT life-threatening.
II. Physical Dangers
A. Physical dangers depend on the specific opiate used, its source, the dose and the way it is used.
1. most of the dangers are caused by using too much of a drug
2. the use of unsterile needles
3. contamination of the drug with other substances
4. use over time may develop infections of:
a. the heart lining and valves
b. skin abscesses
c. congestive lungs
5. infections from unsterile solutions, syringes & needles can cause illnesses such as:
a. liver disease
b. tetanus
III. Dangers for Opiate-Dependent Pregnant Women
A. Dangers for the mother:
1. suffer from anemia
2. heart disease
3. diabetes
4. pneumonia
5. hepatitis
B. Dangers for mother & baby:
1. more spontaneous abortions (miscarriage)
2. breech deliveries (baby is turned the wrong way during delivery making the delivery more painful and dangerous)
3. more stillbirths (baby born dead)
4. premature births (baby born early/before delivery date)
5. baby born addicted to the drug that the mother used (baby will require intensive medical care)
6. baby is under weight
IV. Changes In The Pattern Of Heroin Use: (Many heroin addicts do not use the drug IV any longer)
A. Competition – drug producers, smugglers and dealers are subject to economic forces of the marketplace. During the last decade we saw cocaine reach epidemic proportions, the supply increased, purity increased and prices dropped. Merchants of heroin took notice. The quality of heroin had to increase while prices dropped in order to compete with cocaine. Higher concentrations of heroin and lower prices did more than increase sales, it also changed the route of use from IV to nasal use.
*This new route of use has been attractive to experimenters and adolescents.
B. AIDS – as crazy as it sounds, some addicts have become health conscious and changed from IV use to nasal use. Unfortunately it offers no protection against:
1. overdose
2. contamination with other deadly substances mixed with the drug
3. bullet wounds when deals go bad
4. arrests and jail terms
5. financial ruin
6. auto accidents
7. other health hazards
*In face, it is a poor protection against HIV transmission since many seek the ultimate rush and sniffing eventually leads to IV use.
C. Stigma – no self-respecting, middle-class person wants to hang out in a shooting gallery. Intranasal heroin use allows the addict to perceive himself/herself as morally and intellectually superior.
D. Designer Drugs – Fentanyl (China White) is a potent narcotic analgesic used for anesthesia. It is 100 times as potent as morphine and its derivatives can be 1,000 times as potent as morphine. Fentanyl and its derivatives are frequently mixed with heroin or inert substances and sold on the street as China White.
*Fentanyl is so potent that its introduction into the market often results in numerous deaths by accidental overdose.
*Recently, Baltimore had a min-epidemic of fentanyl deaths & overdoses.
Conclusion: With the exception of alcohol addiction, most other addictions are cyclic in our society. Alcohol seems to remain a constant problem with a consistent number of victims. Heroin, cocaine and hallucinogens seem to become epidemic, recede and then reappears. With each reappearance, more potent forms are available. This is evident with heroin. We are seeing heroin rise in use, and more lethal than ever.
Post-test
“Narcotics/Opiates”
1. List the effects of heroin on the brain.
a.
b.
2. List three narcotics.
a.
b.
c.
3. List three symptoms that indicate opium intoxication.
a.
b.
c.
4. List three withdrawal symptoms.
a.
b.
c.
5. List the four reasons why the use pattern has changed.
a.
b.
c.
d.
6. What is China White?
a. morphine
b. opium
c. Demerol
d. fentanyl
7. Fentanyl is 100 times potent as heroin.
true false
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Narcotics_-_Opiates1.docx
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