Opium Rehabilitation
INTRODUCTION:
Opium is one of many drugs considered as addictive. However, the wide distribution of opium in our country is still manifest in many places today. Opium is considered to be a menace in our society; it has already destroyed millions of life of innocent people, and still the fight to stop opium addiction is uncertain. For over many decades, opium addiction has produced many catastrophes. Opium addiction, like many addictive drugs, can cause fatal illness. Though opium plays an important role in medical fields, the side effect of its improper use is very deadly. Many of opium users know this fact. However, they find this bad habit that they are into, hard to set free. Being addicted to opium is like stabbing yourself with a double bladed knife, it is like committing suicide; the difference is that in opium addiction you are taking your life bit by bit. The saddest part about opium addiction is that not only people in the right age is into it but teenagers as well. Many surveys have shown that a large number of our minors have tried using opium leisurely. In fact, some of them are still using it up to this moment. Most of the opium addicts started their habit in their early age of fifteen and twenty. However, shocking revelation showed that in our time, teens ranging in the age of thirteen and above are already hooked in the deadly habit of opium addiction.
HISTORY:
Opium is obtained from the unripe seed pods of a plant called opium poppy. It is a narcotic alkaloid intended to be used for treating chronic pains. The cultivation of opium poppy was first recorded in Mesopotamia. In 1300 B.C., opium began to be cultivated by the Egyptians. Its euphoric effects became known to many and the trade of opium started. For many years, trading of opium passed from one generation to another until it reaches the land of Portugal. The Portuguese introduced opium and its effects from China where the growth of poppy planting started to spread. Most of palace guards, members of the civil service and military were using opium as a smoke. In the country of China, Opium plantation increased. It was used heavily by Chinese as a recreational drug. For this reason, the Chinese emperor prohibited its importation and its use. However, a large quantity of opium was still imported in many places in China. For this matter, Emperor Tao Kwang ordered his minister to confiscate all opium brought by smugglers. They also detained with them British smugglers. Soon after, the first opium war began, a war that involves China and British cartel. The war ended up in the year 1842. The China lost the war and was forced to sign a treaty of the continuation of importation of opium. The importation and trading of opium became widespread until it reaches many different countries. In the year 1890, U.S. Congress passed a law imposing tax on opium and morphine. A variety of drugs extracted from opium, though being controlled by the government, begun to be known. In the year 1903, government was alarmed to know that opium and a variety of its kind was being abused extensively. Addiction and abuse lasted until it reaches our time.
USE:
Opium poppy was said to be one of the most important medicinal plants discovered. It is said to be a miracle plant, its uses came in a wide variety of ways. Poppy seeds, long ago, was used as baking condiment, while poppy oil is used as a cooking oil. The plant is also used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, and even soaps. Opium is also used widely as astringent, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, expectorant, hypnotic, narcotic, and sedative. It is used to treat chronic pain suffered by the patient. However, opium if not used properly, can be addictive and can cause many illnesses that in the long run may lead to death.
ABUSE:
Opium, if being abused can cause illnesses such as:
- euphoria
- heart failure
- sense of emotional detachment
- absence of pain and stress
- altered mood and mental processes
- sleepiness
- overdose
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- reduced sex drive
- itchy skin
- increased urination
- sweating
- inability to concentrate
- impaired vision
- respiration
- comma
- death
REHABILITATION:
Addiction to Opium drugs can be treated in many ways. Detoxification is one of the many ways that can treat addiction. Detoxification is a process wherein the removal of the toxic effects of the drug being abused is made possible by another drug that’s often milder, but similar chemical nature to the drug being abused. In this process, the patient is being helped to lessen the unwanted withdrawal symptoms caused by rehabilitation. In cases of opium addiction, the drug being used is Methadone and/or Subotex. This kind of treatment, as most experts say, is the most comfortable way of treating different cases addiction.
Opium Rehabilitation Patients Say About Malibu Horizon
The identities of the following people writing these testimonials have been withheld to protect their inalienable right to privacy. The names that follow are fictional names of the author’s choosing:
"I keep on telling myself that it is over. I tried so many times to stop this opium addiction but it keeps on coming back. Then, with the help of my love ones Malibu Horizon entered my life and, suddenly, I began to change. What they offered me is a very comfortable treatment. Thanks a lot!" – Mr. Rich
"I want to thank Malibu Horizon for giving me another chance to live a normal life." – Leo
"I was a graduating student when I got myself hooked into opium addiction. Since then I’ve changed a lot; my temper starts to take over me, I always cut classes, I always yell at my parents, I always involved myself in a fight, and many more. The saddest part of my life came, I never graduated. Back in the stage, while seeing my classmates go to the stage and get their diploma, I cried. I began to look back in my early years and began to miss my old self. When I heard about Malibu Horizon, I voluntarily got myself into the facility and began to see hope. Now, I’m a happy man living with my family. Thanks." – Dante
"Malibu horizon and their process of treatment is the best facility that can offer you a satisfying result. Before I was an opium addict, but now I’m already a changed man. Thanks for you…" – Bruce