What are Opiates?
Opiates are made from opium, a white liquid in the Asian poppy plant. Opiates is sometimes medically used to depress the activity of central nervous system, relieve pain and induce sleep, but at the same time it has high potential for abuse or addiction. Opiates can be found in the form of drugs called heroin, morphine or codeine. Collectively opiates and synthetic opiates are called opioids. It’s side effects may include over sedation, nausea, and constipation. High dose or long term use of opiates can produce addiction, and sometimes potentially death.

How is it used?
Opiate in the powder form can be swallowed or dissolved in water and injected, particularly into vein, which maximizes the effect and pleasure. Most opiates are taken orally, except heroin as it is in the powder form. So, heroine is sniffed, or the fumes from the heated powder is inhaled or gradually advance to injection.

Effects of Opium
Opiate addiction is physiological, not simply psychological. Opiates is highly addictive and capable of producing a quick, intense feeling of pleasure followed by a sense of well-being and a calm drowsiness. This drug can make the user dependent if taken it frequently and on a regular basis.

Opiates tend to relax the user. When opiates are injected, the user feels an immediate "rush." Other initial and unpleasant effects include;

• Restlessness
• Nausea, and
• Vomiting.

Psychological Effects
Prolonged use of Opiate tends to show some psychological effects, as it produces a tranquil and euphoric effect. Like other stimulants and depressants, a user may become dependent on it, which is the deadly effect of opiate.

Physical Effects
The varied doses and method of administration of opiate show different physical effects on the users, like

• Slow breathing,
• Slow heart rate
• Slow brain activit
• It depresses appetite, thirst and sexual desire.
• Increases the body's tolerance to pain
• Potential contamination. Use of opiates in combination with other drugs, and using un-sterile needles all increase the danger of other prblems like AIDS.

Signs and symptoms of Opiate use

• Lethargy and drowsiness
• Constricted pupils and reduced vision
• Shallow breathing
• Sniffing heroin causes redness and raw nostrils
• Excessive perspiration, vomiting, or other withdrawal symptoms
  

Putting forward one step to treatment
Opiate and heroin addiction is a very serious and sometimes life threatening dilemma. Not only is it difficult for the addict, it is extremely hard on the surrounding people, like family, friends and co-workers. Once the user accept the need to seek professional help, treatment becomes easier.

Opiate dependence is a brain-related medical disorder that can be effectively treated with significant benefits for the patient and society. Earlier, the only way to get freedom form opiate addiction was to undergo conventional detoxification procedures, requiring patients to suffer through a debilitating and painful withdrawal. But the success rates for this approach are discouraging. Statistics show that almost after a year following detoxification, the vast majority of patients have relapsed.

Traditional opiate detox programs have a success rate of less than ten percent after the first year. These statistics are even grimmer two years after treatment. Treatment entails a grueling detoxification and withdrawal suffering that can be followed by intense physical and psychological cravings, lasting months. But today detoxification is the only way to break free from opiate addiction.

Any type of drug addiction is a self imposed hellish slavery, which can be broken with the support of self-determination and will power.