Opium is a highly addictive narcotic that is derived from the poppy plant and can be used to make a number of prescription medications, heroin and other drugs.  The scientific term for opium is actually Papaver Somniferum but most people refer to the drug as opium or make a direct reference to the poppy plant from which the drug is cultivated.

The opium poppy is the primary source for a number of narcotics including morphine, heroin, codeine and many derivatives of these drugs.  Codeine comes naturally from opium but the majority of drugs that are associated with opium are actually derived in some way from the poppy or synthetically compromised in a laboratory setting.

Opium Street Names

You may have heard a number of street names in the past being used to describe opium.  Some of the most common include:

• Chinese tobacco
• Easing Powder
• God’s Medicine
• Gondola
• Toxy
• Toys
• When-shee
• Guma
• Hop
• Great tobacco

Many other opium street names are also used it all just depends on the location, the user and the method by which opium is being used.

Effects of Opium on the Mind

There are various effects that opium may have on the mind.  Some of the most common effects include relaxation and a feeling of euphoria but in extreme cases, opium use can lead to anxiety and nervousness.  Most of the time, when opium is mildly used, the effects of the drug on the mind are also mild but there are cases in which a user responds very poorly to the use of the drug and can have a significantly problematic reaction.

Effects of Opium on the Body

The intensity of opium on the body is relatively mild but only if use of the drug is relatively mild.  When opium is smoked, the user will feel reduction of pain, relaxation and a sense of reduced motivation.  As the drug wears off, most of these effects also tend to wear off leaving the user feeling back to normal.

Opium Addiction & Treatment

Opium is a drug that can lead to physical dependence and addiction.  When a user becomes addicted to opium, he or she may require professional treatment in order to get well.  Some of the options for professional treatment of opium addiction include residential treatment, outpatient treatment and inpatient care.  Each type of opium addiction treatment is slightly different than the next.  The method of treatment that works best for you will likely depend on your level of addiction, level of support at home and various other factors.