Opiates

Opiates are drugs derived from opium. There are also a number of synthetic opioids including methadone and buprenorphine.

Opiates and opioids work by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain. The opioid receptors also detect the body’s own naturally-occurring chemicals such as endorphins.

When a person regularly uses a drug like heroin or morphine, the opioid receptors in the brain become much less sensitive. This means they need to take more and more each time to get the same ‘high. However, the strength of illegal drugs can vary a lot and overdose is common.

Opiate harm

For intravenous opiate users, sharing injecting equipment is extremely risky because diseases like hepatitis and AIDS are spread even by small amounts of blood. The ‘cutting’ agents in street heroin can cause poisoning. Many heroin users get chronic constipation. Heroin can also cause nausea and vomiting.

Overdose causes the breathing to become shallower. This can cause death by lack of oxygen. Overdose death can also occur if someone breathes in vomit when unconscious. A lot of overdose deaths are also caused by a using combination of drugs, such as heroin and benzodiazepines.

To find out about possible treatments for opiate dependence at Fresh Start, follow this link.