History of Opiates

 

Opium is the juice from the Papaver somniferum poppy, from which morphine and other opiates can be derived. Opiates have been exploited for thousands of years in order to achieve analgesia and euphoria as well as being used to induce sleep.

 

Now, analgesia is the most common clinical use for opiates (such as morphine), particularly in post-operative and palliative care, however this can cause nausea and vomiting. Other indications, particularly for opiate derivatives, include cough suppression and as an antidiarrhoeal agent.

 

Heroin or diamorphine (when used clinically) is a Class A drug and the strongest of the opiates. It is a prodrug of morphine which crosses the blood brain barrier (BBB) rapidly when injected for an enhanced euphoric effect. It is also more soluble than morphine therefore lower doses can be given.

 

A summary in 2010 found there were 300,000 abusers of heroin and/ or crack cocaine in the UK. As of 2013, 150,000 people are reported to be receiving prescribed opiate substitutes in the UK, at an annual cost of £15 billion.

 

Data shows that the heroin using population is aging, due to fewer young people becoming dependent. The age group of 40 years is currently the largest for those beginning drug treatment.