As far back as 100 AD, opium has been used in folklore medicine; it was consumed with a liquid or ingested as a solid. Towards the middle of the 17th century, opium smoking was introduced into China and at that time, serious opium addiction problems came about. At the same time, opium made its way into the Western World and Europe, where opium addiction escalated as the medication was used as a painkiller.

Opium addiction happens when the drug builds up in the body and stays there for 24-48 hours, daily use escalates rapidly and a person can find the addiction out of control quickly. If a person has been using opium for awhile, trying to taper of gradually is almost impossible because of the severity of withdrawal symptoms, and most people cannot resist the temptation. Opium has many chemicals which affect the body. The most notable alkaloids found in opium are morphine and codeine. While both have a narcotic effect, it is morphine which is much more powerful and when introduced to the body, can become habit forming immediately.

Because of a similar chemical structure, opium molecules occupy the same nerve-receptor sites as the body's own natural painkillers. When introduced to the body opium makes a person feel euphoric and as time goes by the need for more opium grows because of tolerance. Some of the most common illnesses witnessed by an opium addict are malnutrition, respiratory issues and low blood pressure.

Opium Side Effects

Withdrawal from opium can be very uncomfortable for an opium addict; they are driven to take more of the drug to avoid experiencing the pain, rather than for the reasons of pleasure and euphoria. Symptoms of an opium overdose include slowed breathing, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, lethargy, cold and clammy skin, small pupils and extreme weakness.

Opium is highly addictive, expensive and when misused it can be fatal. Opium addiction is becoming epidemic in proportions and particularly in rural areas there has been a notable increase in street use. Physical dependence occurs when the body is used to receiving the drug and comes to expect it, in turn a person develops a tolerance and an addiction is born. There are many opium side effects that an addict has to suffer.

Because of side effects of opium overdose of opium can be severe and possibly fatal, it is very important a person gets help at a qualified treatment facility such as Christian drug treatment centers or rehab centers with opium rehab programs. Dealing with an addiction to opium alone can yield disastrous results and the chances for relapsing are extremely high. One of the hardest challenges someone can face is breaking the strong cycle of dependence on opium, oftentimes detoxification is not the preferred method of treatment but rather weaning the opium addict gradually and tapering down use slowly, to save the addict from the severity and pain of withdrawal.

Opium addiction is something that needs to be addressed in a drug rehabilitation facility, under the supervision and guidance of medical staff and rehab specialists. If you or someone you love has opium addiction, there is help available.

If you or someone you love is seeking help for opium addiction, remember there is help available from professional and reliable Christian drug rehab and alcohol treatment center. Please contact the Transformation Treatment Center admissions office today.

Transformation Treatment Center, a leading popular Christian drug treatment center also offers treatments for Opiate, Cocaine, GHB, Lortab, Ritalin, Inhalant and other addiction problems.