Opium Addiction: Signs, Causes, Dangers, Withdrawal Risks, Treatment, and Prevention

Opium addiction alters brain chemistry, precipitating compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences. Opium addiction develops through repeated exposure to opium, a substance derived from the opium poppy, used for pain relief but misused for its euphoric effects. In time, individuals lose control over their consumption, resulting in physical dependency and psychological reliance. According to Goldberger et al. in a document for the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Afghanistan produces 90% of the global opium supply.

Opium addiction signs include drowsiness, slowed breathing, nausea, pinpoint pupils, social withdrawal, neglect of responsibilities, engaging in illegal activities to obtain the drug, mood swings, heightened irritability, anxiety, and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors. According to the IARC Working Group on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans (2021a) in “IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans, No. 126,” there were an estimated 5 million users of illicit opium worldwide in 2018.

The causes of opium addiction are genetic, environmental, social, and psychological factors. Genetic predisposition influences susceptibility, while environmental elements like peer pressure, availability, and early exposure increase the risk. Co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety exacerbate vulnerability, alongside a personal history of substance abuse. Social factors encompass family dysfunction and economic stress.

The dangers of opium addiction are overdose risks leading to respiratory failure, brain damage, or death, weakened immune system to provoke conditions like constipation and liver disease, worsening mental health, cognitive impairments,  a heightened risk of suicidal ideation, neurological damage, and miscarriage from lead-laced opium. The Islamic Republic of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are the world’s largest per capita consumers of raw or minimally processed opium, as detailed by the IARC Working Group on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans (2021b).

Effects of opium addiction include severe health issues such as reduced heart rate, shallow breathing, and impaired cognition. Long-term consequences involve increased tolerance, hormonal imbalances, and fertility problems, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and intervention.

Withdrawal risks from opium are muscle pain, sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia, and depression. In severe cases, withdrawal causes dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and intense cravings, elevating the risk of relapse if not managed in a controlled environment.

Effective treatment combines detoxification, therapy, and medications. Detox removes the drug safely, managing withdrawal symptoms. Medications like methadone and buprenorphine cut cravings and stabilize recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses psychological triggers, while inpatient and outpatient programs furnish structured care. Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous offer ongoing encouragement. Effective treatment interventions for opioid dependence reduce the risk of overdose, yet fewer than 10% of those in need of such treatment are receiving it according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2023.

Preventing opium addiction involves public education, early intervention for at-risk individuals, and strict control over opiate prescriptions. Community support systems and programs that promote mental health awareness minimize vulnerability. For those with a history of substance abuse, continuous monitoring and counseling are vital preventive measures.

What Is Opium Addiction?

Opium addiction is a chronic substance use disorder characterized by a physical and psychological dependence on opium or its derivatives, where individuals compulsively seek and use the drug despite harmful consequences. As a member of the opioid class of drugs, opium works by binding to specific receptors in the brain that control pain and pleasure, leading to intense euphoria followed by severe withdrawal symptoms when use is discontinued. The addiction typically involves tolerance development, requiring increasing amounts to achieve the same effects, and is marked by persistent cravings, drug-seeking behavior, and continued use despite negative impacts on health, relationships, and daily functioning.

Opium addiction is classified under the broader category of opioid use disorders, which involve the misuse of opiates, covering opium and its derivatives. According to Dydyk, J., et al. (2024), study, ’Opioid use disorder’. Opioids are responsible for over 120,000 deaths worldwide each year.

What Is Opium?

Opium is a narcotic substance extracted from poppy plants (Papaver somniferum) that has been used historically as both medicine and recreational drugs. The raw material comes from the unripe seedpods, which produce a complex mixture containing over 25 different alkaloid compounds, including well-known substances like morphine and codeine.

Users consume opium in various forms – from raw/crude preparations to refined versions and sap – either by smoking or eating it. The drug affects multiple body systems, producing pain relief, drowsiness, cough suppression, and changes in both digestion and mental function. Common street names for opium include:

Common street names for opium are Ah-pen-yen, Aunti, Aunti Emma, Big O, Black Pill, Chandoo, Chandu, Chinese Molasses, Chinese Tobacco, Dopium, Dover’s Powder, Dream Gun, Dream Stick, Dreams, Easing Powder, Fi-donie, Gee, God’s Medicine, Gondola, Goric, Great Tobacco, Guma, Hop/hops, Joy Plant, Midnight Oil, Mira, O, O.P., Ope, Pen Yan, Pin Gon, Pox, Skee, Toxy, Toys, When-shee, Ze, and Zero. Historically, opium has been used for pain relief and as a sedative. The derivatives of opium are morphine, codeine, and heroin, highlighting its medical and illicit significance.

Is Opium Addictive?

Yes, opium is highly addictive due to its ability to affect the brain’s reward system by releasing a surge of dopamine, creating feelings of intense euphoria. This generates physical and psychological dependence. Opium is abused in several ways: it is smoked, injected, or consumed in pill form. The addictive nature of opium lies in its potent opioids, such as morphine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain, influencing users to seek out more of the drug to experience the same effects. The peril of addiction is high, and individuals develop a tolerance, needing expanded amounts to achieve the desired effects. This becomes a vicious cycle of dependence and abuse.

According to Vowles, K. E.’s 2015 study, ‘Rates of opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction in chronic pain: a systematic review and data synthesis.’, opioid addiction rates among chronic pain patients averaged between 8% and 12%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 3% to 17%.

How Common Is Opium Addiction?

Opium addiction is very common particularly when considering its derivatives, as evidenced by the nearly 7,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in California in 2022, as released in a statement from Governor Newsom published on the official website titled “California Adds Resources to Fight the Opioid Crisis.” Nationally, provisional data from the CDC recorded nearly 83,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2022, with the majority linked to fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids. The extensive availability and extreme potency of fentanyl are major contributors to the alarming rise in addiction and overdose fatalities across the country.

What Are the Symptoms of Opium Addiction?

The symptoms of opium addiction are pinpoint pupils, frequent drowsiness or sedation, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, and respiratory depression for physical symptoms; increased secrecy, neglecting responsibilities, risky behavior, financial problems, and reckless actions for behavioral symptoms; and intense cravings, depression or anxiety, mood swings, cognitive impairments, and denial for psychological symptoms.

The physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of opium addiction are listed below:

Physical Symptoms of Opium Addiction

The physical symptoms of opium addiction are pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss. The physical signs of opium addiction are the most noticeable and also cover severe health complications. These are linked to the body’s response to prolonged opioid use and range from mild to life-threatening.

The physical signs of opium addiction are listed below:

• Pinpoint pupils: This common sign results from the effect of opium on the parasympathetic nervous system, causing excessive constriction of the pupils. This symptom is noticeable even in well-lit conditions, distinguishing it from normal pupil reactions. According to Ershad, M.,’s 2020 study, ‘Opioid Toxidrome Following Grapefruit Juice Consumption in the Setting of Methadone Maintenance.’, a 51-year-old male on daily methadone developed opioid toxidrome with pinpoint pupils, requiring multiple doses of naloxone for recovery due to elevated drug levels in his system.
• Frequent drowsiness or sedation: Opium suppresses brain activity, breeding constant fatigue, and lethargy. Individuals experience difficulty staying awake, even during important activities, accelerating the risk of accidents.
• Weight loss: Chronic use of opium impedes appetite and disrupts metabolism. This spawns noticeable physical decline and weakens the immune system over time. 
  According to Yousefzadeh, G.’s 2015 study, ‘Association between opium use and metabolic syndrome among an urban population in Southern Iran: Results of the Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factor Study (KERCADRS).’, opium use showed varying effects on body weight across different groups. Non-opium users had a mean BMI of 26.25, while current opium users showed a lower BMI of 24.8, and former users had the lowest at 24.03. Interestingly, gender played a significant role – while the overall population showed weight loss with opium use, women specifically experienced weight gain and increased waist circumference, suggesting a hormonal influence on how opioids affect body weight regulation.
• Nausea and vomiting: Opium irritates the digestive tract and affects the brain’s vomiting center, making these symptoms frequent after prolonged or high-dose use.
• Respiratory depression: Opium slows breathing by depressing the brainstem, whose ramification is insufficient oxygen intake. This condition is life-threatening and a major cause of fatal overdoses.

Behavioral Symptoms of Opium Addiction

The behavioral symptoms of opium addiction are compulsive drug-seeking, social withdrawal, neglect of personal responsibilities, frequent doctor shopping, and engaging in risky behaviors. Behavioral signs of opium addiction reflect changes in an individual’s actions and priorities due to dependency on the drug.

The behavioral symptoms of opium addiction are listed below:

• Increased secrecy: Individuals addicted to opium hide their drug use by isolating themselves or lying to family and friends. This secrecy escalates as their dependence deepens.
• Neglecting responsibilities: Addiction to opium contributes to prioritizing drug use over work, education, or household duties. Over time, this neglect results in job loss, academic failure, or strained relationships.
• Risky behavior: Seeking opium pushes individuals to engage in dangerous acts, such as acquiring drugs from unsafe sources or using unclean equipment for injection, growing health risks.
• Financial problems: Sustaining an opium addiction incorporates spending large sums of money, and forcing individuals to borrow, steal, or sell possessions to fund their dependency.
• Reckless actions: Under the influence of opium, individuals display poor judgment, such as driving while impaired or engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors, posing substantial consequences.

Psychological Symptoms of Opium Addiction

The psychological symptoms of opium addiction are intense cravings, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and impaired judgment. Psychological symptoms underscore the emotional and cognitive toll opium addiction takes on individuals. These symptoms intensify as dependence progresses.

The psychological symptoms of opium addiction are listed below:

• Intense cravings: The brain’s reward system becomes hijacked by opium, spawning persistent, uncontrollable urges to use the drug. These cravings make it nearly impossible to focus on anything else.
• Depression or anxiety: Opium disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters, causing or exacerbating feelings of hopelessness and worry. Withdrawal worsens these conditions, settling a cycle of dependency. 
  According to Semenkovich, K.’s 2014 study, ‘Prescription Opioid Analgesics Increase Risk of Major Depression: New Evidence, Plausible Neurobiological Mechanisms, and Management to Achieve Depression Prophylaxis.’, opioid use significantly increased depression risk based on duration and dosage. Patients using opioids for 90-180 days had a 25% higher risk of depression, while those using for over 180 days showed a 50% increased risk. High-dose users saw depression rates rise from 9.3% with short-term use to 15% with long-term use.
• Mood swings: The euphoria induced by opium is short-lived, sparking alternating states of elation and irritability. In the course of time, this instability damages personal and professional relationships.
• Cognitive impairments: Protracted opium use undermines brain function, hence difficulty with memory, attention, and decision-making. This hinders the individual’s ability to maintain daily tasks and responsibilities. 
  According to Bruijnen, C. J. W. H.’s 2019 study, ‘Prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with substance use disorder.’, opioid users demonstrate significant cognitive impairments, with 38% showing deficits in mental functioning. These users performed notably worse on visuospatial abilities compared to cannabis and stimulant users and showed weaker memory performance than cannabis users. While some cognitive recovery is possible with long-term abstinence, impairments in executive functioning can persist for up to a year after achieving sobriety.
• Denial: Opium addiction inclines individuals to dismiss or rationalize their dependency. This refusal to acknowledge the problem delays seeking treatment, worsening the condition.

What Are the Causes of Opium Addiction?

The causes of opium addiction are genetic factors, environmental influences, co-occurring mental health disorders, a history of substance abuse, and social factors. These factors interact, casting a complex web of addiction that differs among individuals upon which understanding these causes informs targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

The causes of opium addiction are listed below:

• Genetic Factors: Genetics suggest that hereditary traits predispose individuals to addiction. A family history of substance use disorders raises the risk of developing opium addiction, influenced by inherited genetic traits. 

According to Wang, S. C.’s 2019 study, ‘Opioid Addiction, Genetic Susceptibility, and Medical Treatments: A Review.’, addiction shows strong genetic influence with heritability of 0.4-0.6, with heroin having the highest genetic variance (0.54) among all substances. While heroin shares some genetic overlap with other drugs (0.2 variance), it has unique genetic factors (0.4 specific variance), with chromosomes 2 and 17 specifically linked to opioid dependence.

• Environmental Factors: Exposure to environments with high drug availability or peer pressure elevates the likelihood of opium use. 

According to Ainy, E., & Soori, H.’s 2019 study, ‘Environmental and familial factors in drug use among commercial drivers in suburban public transport.’, family-related factors played a crucial role in drug use patterns. Family poverty emerged as the most significant factor (p < 0.001), followed by marriage-related problems (p = 0.002). 

• Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders: Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD frequently coexist with opium addiction, creating a cyclical relationship between substance use and mental health struggles.
  According to Jones, M., & McCance-Katz, E. 2019 study, ‘Co-occurring substance use and mental disorders among adults with opioid use disorder’, adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) frequently experience co-occurring disorders, with 64.3% having any mental illness (AMI) and 26.9% having serious mental illness (SMI). Among substance use disorders, alcohol was the most common co-occurring condition at 26.4%, followed by methamphetamine at 10.6%. Despite these high rates, treatment coverage remains low, with only 24.5% of OUD patients with AMI and 29.6% with SMI receiving both mental health and substance use treatment services.
• Substance Abuse History: Prior use of other addictive substances, including alcohol and other drugs, increases vulnerability to opium addiction. This progression is attributed to tolerance development and cross-dependence between substances. Combining opium with other substances, such as alcohol, raises the risk of addiction and overdose. A CDC analysis of emergency department visits across 18 states in 2017–2018 found that approximately 37.2% of drug overdoses involved multiple substances, with fentanyl frequently detected alongside other drugs in these cases.
• Social Factors: Societal isolation, unemployment, or lack of supportive relationships push individuals toward substance use as a coping mechanism. Social dynamics, such as family or peer influence, initiate and sustain opium addiction.

What Are the Dangers of Opium Addiction?

The dangers of opium addiction are overdose, organ failure, long-term psychological damage, respiratory depression, brain damage, seizures, coma, loss of consciousness, unresponsiveness, and death. The common dangers of opium addiction are given below: 

Opium Overdose

Opium overdose manifests when the body is overwhelmed by an excessive amount of the drug, leading to dangerous disruptions in bodily functions. Opium overdose has fatal complications, including respiratory failure and unconsciousness. Immediate medical intervention is paramount to avoid death. 

According to data compiled from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), between 2002 and 2013, the rate of heroin overdose deaths in the United States nearly quadrupled, rising from 0.7 to 2.7 deaths per 100,000 individuals, with the rate almost doubling from 2011 to 2013. In 2013, an estimated 517,000 individuals reported past-year heroin abuse or dependence, marking a nearly 150% rise since 2007.

The symptoms of opium overdose are listed below:

• Seizures: Seizures happen because of opium overdose inducing brain damage if not promptly addressed.
• Coma: A deep coma from an opium overdose spurs the loss of vital body functions, disrupting the ability to breathe on one’s own.
• Brain Damage: Extended or repeated overdose episodes engender irreversible brain damage, affecting cognitive functions.
• Loss of Consciousness: A lack of awareness or responsiveness is frequent during an overdose, which surges the possibility of further complications.
• Unresponsiveness: Individuals become unresponsive to stimuli during an overdose, posing life-threatening risks without immediate intervention.
• Not Breathing: Respiratory depression is a weighty danger of opium overdose, as the drug decelerates or stops breathing, producing fatal outcomes.

Opium and Lead Contamination

Opium contamination with lead is a serious health concern, particularly in regions where opium is illicitly processed. Lead is utilized during the production and refinement of opium and its derivatives, and continued exposure to lead has severe toxicity. This contamination poses health risks for those who abuse contaminated opium, with long-term effects that severely damage multiple organ systems.

According to Ghane, M.’s 2018 study, ‘Lead poisoning outbreak among opium users in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2016–2017’, between 2016 and 2017, a lead poisoning outbreak in Iran affected oral opium users, with symptoms like abdominal pain and anemia. Patients had an average blood lead level of 140 µg/dL, and contaminated opium contained 3.55 mg of lead per gram. Out of 773,800 users nationwide, 260,000 remained untreated. Treatment involved opioid substitutes, laxatives, and chelation therapy, emphasizing the global risks of lead-contaminated drugs.

The symptoms of opium and lead contamination are listed below:

• High blood pressure: Lead exposure damages the blood vessels, elevating blood pressure, which amplifies the risk of heart disease.
• Joint and muscle pain: Lead toxicity brings aches and stiffness, impacting movement and comfort.
• Memory problems: Chronic lead exposure is detrimental to cognitive function, developing difficulties in memory and learning.
• Headache: A common symptom of lead poisoning is headaches that become frequent and severe.
• Abdomen pain: Lead toxicity elicits gastrointestinal distress with subsequent persistent stomach pain.
• Miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth: For pregnant individuals, lead exposure magnifies the risks of miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth due to its toxic effects on fetal development.

What Are the Effects of Opium Addiction?

The effects of opium addiction are reduced heart rate, shallow breathing, constipation, impaired reflexes, loss of appetite, dry mouth, inability to concentrate, feeling apathetic, increasing tolerance, loss of libido, irregular menstrual cycle, difficulty conceiving children, and reduced sperm count. The effects of opium addiction are immediate and severe, assaulting variegated systems of the body.

Common short and long-term effects of opium addiction are discussed below:

Short-term Effects of Opium Addiction 

The short-term effects of opium addiction are a declining heart rate, shallow breathing, constipation, impaired reflexes, loss of appetite, dry mouth, inability to concentrate, and feeling apathetic. The short-term effects of opium addiction are given below:

• Reduced heart rate: Opium depresses the central nervous system, causing a decline in heart rate, which prompts cardiovascular issues. According to Bafghi, A. H.’s 2005 study, ‘Is opium addiction a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction?’, In patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI), the prevalence of opium addiction was found to be 19%, compared to just 2.8% in the overall population.
• Shallow breathing: Opium subdues the respiratory system to effect slow and shallow breathing that becomes life-threatening in severe cases.
• Constipation: Opium affects the gastrointestinal system by slowing down bowel movements, solidifying chronic constipation. According to Kumar, L.’s 2014 study, ‘Opioid-induced constipation: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and management.’, 40-95% of patients taking opioids develop constipation, and even with laxative treatment, 54% of patients don’t achieve adequate relief. This side effect, which doesn’t diminish over time, can be more distressing for some patients than their underlying pain.
• Impaired reflexes: Opium destroys the brain’s ability to process stimuli quickly, slowing reflexes and increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
• Loss of appetite: Opium suppresses hunger signals, diminishing the appetite and potential weight loss.
• Dry mouth: Opium causes dehydration in the body, hence a dry mouth and dental problems.
• Inability to concentrate: The sedative effects of opium interfere with cognitive function, making it difficult for individuals to focus or think clearly.
• Feeling apathetic: Opium causes emotional numbness, encouraging users to feel indifferent or emotionally detached from their surroundings.

The Long-term Effects of Opium Addiction

The long-term effects of opium addiction are nascent tolerance, loss of libido, irregular menstrual cycle, difficulty conceiving children, and falling sperm count. The long-term effects of opium addiction are given below:

• Increasing tolerance: Over time, the body adapts to opium, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. This escalating need elicits overdose risks and further addiction.
• Loss of libido: Opium disrupts the hormonal balance compromising sexual desire and performance. According to Salata, B.’s 2022 study, ‘Opioid-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Cancer Patients.’, opioid-induced sexual dysfunction is reported in half of opioid users, with studies showing 48% of opioid-dependent men experiencing sexual dysfunction compared to 8% in control groups, and specifically 41% reporting impaired sexual desire.
• Irregular menstrual cycle: Opium addiction interferes with the hormonal regulation necessary for regular menstrual cycles, bringing about missed periods or other reproductive issues.
• Difficulty conceiving children: Long-term opium use causes fertility problems in both men and women, making it harder to conceive due to hormonal imbalances and lowered sperm count.
• Reduced sperm count: Opium hurts sperm production, decreasing sperm count and motility, which onsets male infertility. According to Schifano, N.’s 2022 study, ‘Recreational Drug Misuse and Its Potential Contribution to Male Fertility Levels’ Decline: A Narrative Review.’, opioid and opiate use significantly impairs male fertility parameters. Drug users show drastically reduced sperm concentration (22.2 million/ml compared to 66.3 million/ml in healthy individuals) and increased DNA fragmentation (36.4% vs 27.1%). The research also demonstrates decreased sperm motility (41.96% vs 65.51%) and lower survival rates (71.50% vs 87.41%) in addicted men.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Opium Addiction?

The withdrawal symptoms of opium addiction are restlessness, sweating, runny nose and eyes, insomnia, goosebumps (piloerection), hot and cold flushes, aches and pains in your bones and joints, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, and depression.

When a person stops using opium, the body reacts negatively due to the sudden absence of the substance, bringing about diverse withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal begins within 12 hours after the last use, peaking around 72 hours, and lasts for several days to weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction. These symptoms are a sign that the body is trying to adjust to the absence of opium and return to a normal state of functioning.

According to Bluthenthal, R. N.’s 2020 study, ‘Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs’, Opioid withdrawal symptoms were reported by 85% of participants within the past six months, with 29% experiencing withdrawal at least monthly and 35% weekly. Among 814 people who inject drugs (PWID) and regularly use opioids (12 or more times in the past 30 days), 57% described their withdrawal symptoms as very or extremely painful.

Common withdrawal symptoms of opium addiction are given below:

• Restlessness: The body reacts to the lack of opium by causing an inability to stay still, provoking anxious behaviors.
• Sweating: As the body equilibrates, it overcompensates by switching up sweat production, which excites excessive perspiration.
• Runny nose and eyes: These symptoms come due to the body trying to expel toxins after stopping opium, which triggers mucus production.
• Insomnia: Withdrawal disrupts sleep patterns, making it hard to fall or stay asleep, encouraging fatigue.
• Goosebumps (piloerection): Goosebumps are a physical response to opium withdrawal when the nervous system reacts to the absence of the drug.
• Hot and cold flushes: Without opium, the body’s temperature regulation system is unbalanced to generate sensations of extreme heat or cold.
• Aches and pains in your bones and joints: Withdrawal educes muscle and bone discomfort, which makes physical movement painful and difficult.
• Diarrhea: The gastrointestinal system is endangered, furnishing frequent and urgent bowel movements.
• Vomiting and nausea: The digestive system responds violently to the cessation of opium by giving rise to nausea and vomiting.
• Depression: As the brain adjusts to life without opium, a whirlwind emotional downturn ensues, characterized by feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

What Are the Treatments for Opium Addiction?

The treatments for opium addiction are detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and support groups. These approaches address the specific challenges of dependency caused by prolonged opium use and target both the physical and psychological effects of the addiction.

Common treatments for opium addiction are as follows:

Detox

Detoxification is a medically supervised process to remove opium and its metabolites from the body. Opium’s interaction with opioid receptors creates a physical dependency that leads to withdrawal symptoms when use stops. Detox helps manage these symptoms, which are sweating, vomiting, and restlessness, lasting 7–10 days. By clearing opium’s residual effects, detox sets the foundation for further treatment.

According to Weiss, R. D.’s 2011 study, ‘Adjunctive counseling during brief and extended buprenorphine-naloxone treatment for prescription opioid dependence’, 653 patients with prescription opioid dependence revealed that success rates were only 6.6% after a 4-week buprenorphine-naloxone treatment but rose to 49.2% with a 12-week extended treatment. However, success rates dropped sharply to 8.6% eight weeks after tapering off the medication. Counseling had no measurable impact on outcomes, while a history of heroin use lowered success rates, though chronic pain did not. The findings underscore that sustained buprenorphine-naloxone treatment effectively detoxifies opium use like heroin.

Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment offers a controlled environment to stabilize individuals suffering from the severe effects of opium addiction, such as impaired decision-making and physical health issues caused by prolonged opium abuse. This type of inpatient treatment lasts 30–90 days and includes therapies to address the mental and emotional damage caused by opium dependency. Outpatient treatment, designed for those with milder addiction, allows patients to maintain daily routines while attending sessions to manage opium-related cravings and behavioral issues.

According to Morgan, J. R.’s 2020 study, ‘Comparison of rates of overdose and hospitalization after initiation of medication for opioid use disorder in the inpatient vs outpatient setting’, outpatient medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) had lower 1-year overdose rates (2.2 per 100 person-years) and hospitalization rates (39 per 100 person-years) compared to inpatient care (overdose: 3.5–7.0, hospitalization: 57–74 per 100 person-years). Hazard ratios for overdose ranged from 1.71 (71%) to 2.67 (167%) and for hospitalization from 1.33 (33%) to 1.90 (90%), favoring outpatient MOUD.

Medications

Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are directly involved in counteracting opium’s effects on the brain’s opioid receptors. Methadone and buprenorphine act as partial agonists, mimicking opium’s effects to a lesser extent, aiding to cut withdrawal symptoms and cravings without inducing euphoria. Naltrexone blocks opium’s ability to activate receptors, preventing the addictive high. These medications stabilize brain chemistry disrupted by opium, boosting recovery outcomes.

According to the NIDA 2018 research named, ‘NIDA. 2018, June 1. How effective are medications to treat opioid use disorder?,’ methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective medications for treating opioid use disorder when administered at medium-to-high doses (buprenorphine typically requires 16mg or more per day). Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) is also effective, showing a 90% abstinence rate in trials, though it requires complete detoxification before starting. While all three medications are viable options, methadone and buprenorphine have the most extensive clinical history and evidence base.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Opium addiction alters thought patterns, reinforcing drug-seeking behavior. CBT addresses these changes for individuals to recognize and challenge the defeatist thought loops sedimented by long-haul opium use. Therapy sessions focus on identifying triggers, such as stress or environmental cues associated with opium use, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. CBT enhances long-term recovery by concentrating on the psychological effect of opium dependency.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) illustrates an efficacy rate of 50-75% in bringing down substance use and nurturing long-term recovery, making it an important element in addiction treatment plans. According to Pybis, J.’s 2017 study, ‘The comparative effectiveness and efficiency of cognitive behavior therapy and generic counseling in the treatment of depression: Evidence from the 2nd UK National Audit of Psychological Therapies.’, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed a pre-post effect size of 1.59 (95% CI: 1.58, 1.62) with 46.6% of patients achieving reliable and clinically significant improvement. Patients attended an average of 8.9 sessions (SD = 6.34), with a median of 7 sessions. Recovery rates varied by session count, from 22.2% at two sessions to over 62% at 18-20 sessions. These findings, based on data from 33,243 patients across 103 IAPT services, demonstrated that CBT’s effectiveness was generally comparable to counseling, with therapy type not being a significant predictor of outcome.

Support Groups

Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), offer peer-based recovery support tailored to individuals overcoming opium addiction. These groups grant a space to share experiences related to the physical and emotional toll of opium abuse, harboring community and accountability. Regular meetings reinforce abstinence and manage triggers specific to opium addiction to push for sustained recovery.

Group therapies, such as 12-step programs, are not standalone treatments and are most effective when integrated with professional rehabilitation programs. According to Miller, J.’s 2008 study, ‘12-step treatment for alcohol and substance abuse revisited: Best available evidence suggests lack of effectiveness or harm.’, while 12-step programs offer valuable peer support and a structured environment, their success rates—ranging from 15-20% for alcohol addiction and 0-15% for substance abuse—are limited when used in isolation. These findings underscore the need to combine 12-step programs with other therapeutic methods to bolster their effectiveness.

How to Prevent Opium Addiction?

To prevent opium addiction, center on education, early intervention, and access to mental health support. Implementing public awareness campaigns pivots people to comprehend the risks of opium use. Early intervention programs classify individuals at risk and dispense necessary treatment before addiction develops. Ensuring easy access to mental health services, especially for those dealing with stress, anxiety, or trauma, guides individuals to cope with underlying issues without resorting to substance use. Encouraging healthy coping mechanisms and imparting support networks are productive measures for fending off opium addiction.

How Does Opium Interact with Other Substances?

Opium interacts with other substances like alcohol, nitrous oxide, methamphetamines, cocaine, and depressants like ketamine in ways that augment risks. When combined with alcohol, both substances depress the central nervous system, eventuating extreme sedation and respiratory depression. 

Opium and nitrous oxide together raise CNS depression, causing dizziness and impaired motor skills. Mixing opium with stimulants like methamphetamines or cocaine strains the cardiovascular system, raising blood pressure and the risk of overdose. Opium in league with other depressants like ketamine further depresses respiration and heart rate with a rising likelihood of fatal overdose.

About 45% of individuals who use heroin initially derived an addiction to prescription opioids on the authority of the American Medical Association (AMA).

How Does Alcohol Interact with Opioids?

Alcohol interacts with opioids by advancing their sedative effects, substantially enhancing the risk of respiratory depression and overdose. Both substances depress the central nervous system, provoke breathing, and heart rate, and weaken cognitive function. When used together, the risk of fatal overdose rises dramatically due to compounded respiratory depression.

Borodovsky, J. T.’s 2019 study, ‘Trends in prescribed central nervous system depressant medications among adults who regularly consume alcohol: United States 1999 to 2014, approximately 5-6% of individuals who consume alcohol regularly are prescribed a sedative-hypnotic or opioid for at least 30 days, a fatal combination.

Is Opium a Main Substance in Heroin?

Yes, opium is a main substance in heroin. Heroin is derived from morphine, which is a natural alkaloid extracted from the opium poppy plant. Through a chemical process, morphine is converted into heroin, making opium a key precursor in its production. This transformation enables the drug’s potency, contributing to the superlative nature of heroin addiction.

What Is the Difference Between Opium and Opioids?

The difference between opium and opioids lies in their origin and classification. Opium is a natural substance derived from the latex of the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum), containing alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and thebaine. Opioids, on the other hand, refer to a broader class of drugs that include natural opium-derived substances (e.g., morphine, codeine) and synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds (e.g., fentanyl, oxycodone). This distinction is imperative when talking about opioid addiction, where the use of natural and synthetic opioids has similar risks of dependence and overdose. Indeed, opium and opioids bind to opioid receptors in the brain, opioids are either naturally occurring or artificially created, whereas opium is strictly a natural product.

What Is The Difference Between Opioid Dependence And Opioid Addiction?

The main difference between opioid dependence and opioid addiction lies in their distinct characteristics: dependence is a physiological state where the body adapts to opioids and experiences withdrawal when use stops, while addiction is a psychological condition involving compulsive drug-seeking despite negative consequences.

Opioid dependence refers to physical adaptations that cause withdrawal symptoms when the drug is reduced or discontinued. In contrast, opioid addiction manifests as an uncontrollable psychological drive to use opioids regardless of harmful outcomes. Though dependence can exist independently, addiction includes both physical dependence and psychological compulsion. Healthcare providers must understand these differences to properly treat and manage patients with opioid-related conditions.