Abuse of opiates has been prevalent in many parts of the world. This is more so for prescription opiates, since they are easily available at low prices. In most cases, opiates have been used as painkillers, mainly due to their palliative properties. However, these drugs also come with a high habit-forming capacity. While many people abuse opiates as a way of managing pain, there are others who start as recreational users, mainly due to the drug’s capacity to produce euphoria and feelings of pleasure.
Opium is the raw and crude form of opiates. It comes as a creamy latex fluid occurring naturally in the seeds of the poppy plant. Upon exposure to air, the fluid takes on a black color and becomes hard. It is mainly used in treating extreme pain, with doctors prescribing it to individuals suffering from cancer as an alternative to morphine. It may be used in easing pain prior to, during, or after a surgical operation. Thanks to its heroin-like effects, opium is highly addictive, in which case individuals taking it for recreational purposes become hooked shortly.
