Opium

How is opium used?

Opium can be smoked, eaten raw or as a pill, or made into a tincture for drinking.^{1, 2}

Opium can also be manufactured into heroin and is a prerequisite for heroin production.

Effects of opium

Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Opium affects everyone differently, based on:

• the person’s size, weight and health
• regularity of use
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken
• the strength of the drug (which varies between batches).

Short term effects may include:

• euphoria
• relaxation
• analgesia (pain relief)
• slower, shallower breathing
• lower heart rate
• impaired reflexes
• temporary constipation · loss of appetite.^{3, 4}

Overdose

If you take a large amount of opium, you could overdose. Call triple zero (000) and request an ambulance if you or someone else has any of the following symptoms (emergency services are there to help and can provide instructions over the phone).

Symptoms of opium overdose:

• very slow breathing
• loss of consciousness
• tiny pupils.⁵

Untreated overdose can lead to brain damage and death.

Long-term effects

Regular use of opium may cause:

• tolerance - needing to use more to get the same effect
• irregular periods and difficulty having children
• loss of sex drive
• constipation · dependence on opium.^{3, 4}

Mixing opium and other drugs

Mixing opium with other drugs can have unpredictable effects and increase the risk of harm.

• Opium and nitrous oxide (nangs): can increase the risk of unconsciousness and blackouts.
• Opium and methamphetamines/cocaine: can increase the risk of heart strain.
• Opium and alcohol/benzodiazepines/ketamine/GHB: can increase sedation and lead to unconsciousness, choking on vomit, and possible death.^6,7

Reducing harm

There are ways in which you can reduce the risks associated with using opium:

• always carry naloxone for emergencies, and encourage family and friends to learn how to use take home naloxone – a medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose (more information on naloxone is provided below) · avoid mixing drugs (polydrug use) – mixing opioids with depressant drugs such as alcohol or benzodiazepines can greatly increase the risk of overdose
• don’t use opioids alone and always tell someone what you’ve taken
• if using illicit opioids, always test a small amount to reduce overdose risk
• do not drive or operate machinery after use
• always use clean needles and never share injecting equipment
• safely dispose of used injecting equipment

Withdrawal

Giving up opium after using it for a long time is challenging because the body must get used to functioning without it. Withdrawing from opium is similar to withdrawing from other opioid drugs.

Withdrawal symptoms usually start six to 24 hours after the last dose and can last around seven to ten days. These symptoms are described as flu-like, and can include:

• restlessness and irritability
• insomnia
• depression and crying
• diarrhoea
• sweating
• restless sleep
• muscle cramps
• nausea and vomiting
• fast heartbeat.⁸

Opium and lead poisoning

• Some opium has been found to be contaminated with lead. The source of lead in opium is still unclear, possibly due to contamination from equipment used to process the opium, intentional adulteration of opium with lead to increase its weight, or from growing opium poppies in contaminated soil.^{9, 10}
• Lead poisoning can have a serious effect on people’s health, including organ damage.¹¹

Getting help

If your use of opium is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about someone else, you can find help and support.

Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs

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If you're looking for other information or support options, send us an email at druginfo@adf.org.au