Narcotic Analgesics (Opiates) Wendy McGurk

What are opiates Opium poppy, has been cultivated throughout history 6000 Sumerian tablet has an ideograph for the poppy shown as “joy” + “plant” Egyptions listed opium along with 700 other medicines in the Ebers Papyrus The Greek god of sleep, Hypnos & and the Roman god of sleep, Somnus were portrayed carrying containers of opium pods

What are Opiates (cont.) Opiates are a class of drug that acts primarily on the bodies opiate receptors. Opiates are classified as a narcotic Opiates act by depressing the CNS Opiates are used primarily for there analgesic effects, but also for there cough suppressant properties.

There are Three different Types of Opiates The naturally occurring opiates are those which are found in the opium resin of the opium poppy. The semi-synthetic opiates are derived from the naturally occurring opiates and opium alkaloids. Synthetic opiates are synthesized from other chemicals and molecules that are not from alkaloids found in opium

Common Narcotics (Opiates) Heroin (illegal) Hydromorphone Morphine Propoxyphene Methadone Meperidine Oxycodone Hydrocodone Codeine Diphenoxylate Tramadol Opium tincture Fentanyl Buprenorphine

Street Names Heroin: Horse, Smack thunder, Chiva, Hell Dust, Big H, Black tar, Morphine: Dreamer, Morpho, Miss Emma, Monkey, Unkie, Mister Blue Codeine: Schoolboy, Cough syrup, T-three’s Hydrocodone: Vikes, Viko, Norco, Hydro. Oxycodone: Hillbilly Heroin, OC, Oxy, Roxy

Therapeutic Uses of Opiates Most common is use to relieve pain Including visceral, and somatic Internal organs and skeletal (bones, muscle, teeth) Suppress the coughing center of the brain Cough medicine Slow movement of materials in intestines Treat severe diarrhea Treatment of opiate addiction

Physiological Effects Opiates general slow breathing, heart rate, and brain activity. Opiates depress appetite, thirst, and sexual desire. Body’s tolerance to pain is increased Use of unsterile needles can lead to Hepatitis, Tetanus or AIDS.

Side effects Shallow breathing Drowsiness Lethargy Needle or track marks on inner arms or other parts of the body. Nodding out Constricted pupils Withdrawal symptoms Redness or raw nostrils from sniffing heroin

Withdrawal effects Flu-like symptoms/fever Craving for the drug Exaggerated pain responses Agitation/anxiety/insomnia Stomach cramps/vomiting/diarrhea Joint/muscle aches/twitches Runny nose/perspiration/tears Flu-like symptoms/fever Craving for the drug High blood pressure Hot/cold flashes Withdrawal effects usually starts 6 to 12 hours after last dose. Isn’t fatal, but feels like you are dying.

People who use opiates have significantly higher rates of These are higher risks when sharing needles Intravenous and intramuscular Bone Fractures Cardiovascular events Kidney disease Gastrointestinal events HIV or AIDS Hepatitis B & C

Treatment The primary method of treating and managing opioid addiction and dependence has been with the use of other opioid drugs. These replacement drugs function to essentially wean the user off of opioid use. Suboxone and Methadone

Treatment Buprenorphine Vivitrol (extended form release of naltrexone) Rapid Detox Alcoholic Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Counseling

6 ways to see if your child may be an opiate addict if you are missing prescription medication in your house Falling asleep at very odd times during the day then this could also be a sign of opiate addiction Your child will have the need to get high all the time, so be on the lookout for missing electronics or other items of value in your house.

6 ways to see if your child may be an opiate addict (cont.) having a hard time at school and this includes socializing less with friends or maybe they have lost friends or failed a class. Watch how much money your child goes through in a typical week and pay attention to amounts of money that they might ask you for pay attention to the physical signs of opiate addiction especially relating to intravenous injection of drugs like Heroin. Look for obvious signs such as track marks

You can find help For some addicts, the beginning of treatment is detoxification No single approach to detoxification is guaranteed to be best for all addicts If you think you are addicted you should be evaluated by a mental health professional as soon as possible. Or you can look at a newspaper and find your local Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and someone there can help you find your path.

References NIDA Treatment for Opiate Addiction, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/buprenorphine- treatment-opiate-addiction-right-in-doctors-office Opiate Use has Long-Term Health Risk, http://www.theexigencegroup.com/news/intelligence/article:opiate-use-may- pose-long-term-health-risks-/ Opiate Abuse, http://www.genesishouse.net/article-Opiate-Abuse.html Drug Fact Sheet, http://www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/all_fact_sheets.pdf Types of Opiates, https://sites.google.com/site/opiateaddictionresource/opiates/types_of_opiate Drugs and Society, Hanson, Venturelli, Fleckenstein, (2012).