The effects of opium, alcohol, and alcohol abuse on the body

What is Opium?

Opium is a highly addictive drug that comes from the poppy plant.
There are records of Opium being grown as early as 5000 B.C. in the Mediterranean regions.
Derivatives of Opium include:
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Buprenorphine
Opium production occurs predominately in Asia and Latin America.
Opium consumption is most common in Europe and North America with an estimated 2 million heroin
users in the USA.
Due to its highly addictive nature, heroin is considered one of the most difficult addictions to recover
from.

How Does Opium Affect the Body?

The effects of opium can be divided into two categories:

Short term: Long term:

- Slowed breathing. - Tolerance to the drug
- Dehydration
- Addiction
- Impulsiveness
- Organ Damage
- Euphoria
- Weakened Immune System
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Small pupils
- Nausea & Vomiting - Increased Pain
- Fluctuating Body Temperature - Mental Confusion and Fog
- Constipation - Irritability and Anger
- Chronic Constipation
- Impotence
Overdose and Withdrawal

The more often a user takes Opium, the more likely they are to become careless and cause an overdose
by taking too much of the drug.

Signs of an overdose include:

- Clammy skin
- Confusion
- Dilated pupils.
- Laboured breathing
- Drowsiness

Opium overdose is extremely dangerous and can lead to coma, reduced circulation, difficulty breathing,
heart attack, brain damage, or even death.

Withdrawal occurs when someone stops taking a regular dose of the drug.

The most common symptoms from Opium withdrawal are:

- Sweating
 - Mood-Swings
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Shakes
- Stomach Cramps

What is Alcohol?
According to the World Health Organisation alcohol is a ‘psychoactive substance with dependence-
producing properties’.
Alcohol is not always harmful and is often used in recreation, however, the overuse and abuse of alcohol
can result in harm, injury, and increased risk, especially in younger age-groups.
Alcohol is sold in different strengths and is often measured in ‘units’ or ABV (Alcohol by Volume).
One unit is roughly 10ml of pure alcohol. If a drink states it has 10% ABV that means 10% of the volume
of that drink is pure alcohol (e.g., a 100ml drink at 10% ABV contain 10ml pure alcohol).
It is advised by the NHS not to drink more than 14 units (approximately 6 pints) per week.

How Does Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse Affect the Body

Alcohol abuse is defined as drinking in a way that is harmful or being dependant on alcohol.

Short Term:
- Increased risk to accident or injury
- Violent behaviour
- Irritability
- Impulsivity
- Alcohol poisoning
- Increased likelihood of reckless behaviour

Long Term:
– Brain Damage
– Stroke
– Liver Disease & Cancer
– Heart Disease
– Breast Cancer
– Pancreatitis
– Social problems (e.g., divorce, domestic violence, homelessness, and unemployment)

Overuse and Withdrawal

The most common sign of overuse of alcohol is alcohol poisoning, however some other signs are:
- Feeling guilty about drinking
- ‘Needing’ a drink often
- Memory loss
- Missing appointments, work, or other engagements due to being drunk or hungover.
Much like opium withdrawal, alcohol withdrawal happens when a person stops drinking alcohol after
prolonged use. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Shakes
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sweating
- Insomnia