Opium Addiction Treatment

Derived from white liquid inside the poppy plant, Opium is a euphoria-causing narcotic that has existed for centuries, and has also caused immeasurable harm in the form of addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with opium addiction, call Treatment Solutions today at 877-640-1943.

What is opium?

Opium is a black or brown block of tar-like substance that historically has been used for some medicinal purposes. A certain form of opium, known as the paregoric, can treat diarrhea. Other forms of opium, however, are not therapeutic, but instead extremely addictive.

At one point in history, opium addiction was so rampant in China that roughly a quarter of the male population was hooked. More recently, opium use in medicine has been severely curtailed, and governments treat opium like the dangerous narcotic it is. Frequently, opium growers will convert illegal opium into heroin, which multiplies its potency to approximately twice that of morphine.

Street names for opium, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, include Big O, Black Stuff and Block.

How is opium consumed?

Opium is primarily smoked.

How widespread is opium use?

Opium use has had a steady decline during the last century, replaced by similar but synthetic opiates such as morphine and heroin.

According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 400,000 Americans used heroin in 2004, including 120,000 first-time users. The number of Americans abusing prescription opiates, such as OxyContin, was much higher — 11.2 million Americans used these drugs for “non-medical” purposes in 2003, according to SAMHSA.

But just because opium is now less common, doesn’t make it any less dangerous. The time to take control over the opium addiction affecting you or your loved one is now. Call Treatment Solutions today at 877-640-1943.

What are opium’s short-term effects?

In addition to euphoria, the short-term effects of opium, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, include:

  1. Sense of well-being
  2. Calm or drowsiness
  3. Slowed breathing
  4. Confusion
  5. Constipation
  6. Nausea

Opium’s long-term effects:

  1. Drug tolerance, forcing the user to take more of the drug to achieve the same “high”
  2. Physical dependence and addiction
  3. Withdrawal symptoms experienced by addicts when opium use is reduced or stopped

The Drug Abuse Warning Network estimates that in 2000, there were 167 opium-related U.S. emergency room visits.

What are the risks of opium addiction during pregnancy?

Opium should never be smoked by expectant mothers, as there is significant risk of congenital defects in the child. The Collaborative Perinatal Project identified four instances of congenital defects in infants with 1st-trimester exposure to opium, and incidents of narcotic withdrawal in newborns were also documented.

Why is Opium Addiction so Hard to Overcome?

Opium, like almost all illicit substances, causes withdrawal symptoms among those addicts who attempt to quit. The desire to avoid these uncomfortable withdrawal feelings is what keeps many opium addicts using, even after they realize the drug is ruining their life. Opium withdrawal symptoms include:

  1. Nausea
  2. Sweating
  3. Diarrhea
  4. Mood swings
  5. Insomnia
  6. Depression
  7. Muscle twitching

Opium addiction treatment is the answer.

The life of an addict can feel like running through quicksand — though you try your hardest to escape, you just sink deeper. This is nothing to be ashamed of — addicts need a helping hand. The staff at Treatment Solutions can help you or your loved one.

Our free referral service offers a wide range of addiction treatment options, including Christian drug rehab and executive rehab geared to the busy professional. We also specialize in dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both mental illness and addiction, simultaneously. We work with a variety of health insurance options, and affordable self-pay plans are also available. Call us today at 877-640-1943.

No matter your insurance, be it Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross / Blue Shield (BCBS), Assurant, Unicare, United Health Care, Anthem, Carefirst, Asuris Northwest Health, Golden Rule, Celtic Insurance, Fortis, Health Net, Kaiser, Vista, Shelter, Wellpoint, Tri Care, Accordia or even Medicare, and state insurance — we can help you find hydrocodone addiction treatment. We also offer many affordable self pay options as well as luxury opium addiction treatment.