Opium, unlike some other drugs, when habitually used makes you physically and probably psychologically dependant. Three different sequences occur with the habitual use of opium.
Firstly there is a physical dependence. This happens when your body has got used to the presence of the opiate, and has adapted to using it for its proper functioning.
Withdrawal symptoms occur when the opium is stopped suddenly. Anxiety, rapid pulse, restlessness, crying, increased blood pressure, runny nose, yawning, back pain, tremors and muscle spasms are some of the many withdrawal symptoms. It takes 8 and 24 hours after the last dose, for the withdrawal symptoms to occur and they peak between 48 to 72 hours. The symptoms subside by a week to ten days.
Secondly, in the sequence of events comes tolerance. This happens when the body becomes habituated to the presence of a certain quantity of the opiate. It then requires more and more of the opiate to get the desired effect. Of course the tolerance varies from one person to another.
Third and last in the sequence of events is the psychological dependence. When there is a psychological dependence, the person begins to ‘crave’ for the effect of the opiate. This dependence is called addiction and is most powerful and the hardest to overcome.
By:Dr D Zarlenga Posted: Mar 14 2010 02:34:04 PM