Summary
Opium is a powerful drug that is derived from the Papaver somniferum plant, commonly known as the opium poppy. Opium has been used since before the time of the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians for medicinal purposes. Today pain is largely treated with derivatives of opium, most notably morphine, which is commonly used in hospitals and emergency rooms, and synthetic opioids, such as OxyContin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and drug combinations that include acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Although still used worldwide, pure opium is not commonly used or abused today in the United States. Many common synthetic opioids, however, carry a risk of abuse and addiction.
Opium explains the history of this drug, how it affects the body, and how abusers can be treated. Dramatic "you-are-there" case studies show how opium impacts real life, and sidebars offer supplementary facts, compelling statistics, and historical information.
Chapters include:
- An Overview of Opium
- The History of Opium
- How Opium and Opioids Work
- Opioid Abuse and Addiction
- Treatment for Opioid Addiction
- Opium and the Law
- Future Efforts to Control Opioids.