Research on Opiate Consumption and Statistics in the World (Research Paper Sample)

Opiates Report
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Opiate Report
The clinical practices today cannot be separated from the primary use of opiates as the analgesic of preference. In this regard, the medical spheres of life have been dominated by the use of opiates as the pain reliever of preference. However, despite the massive application of opiate in medicine, opium which is extracted from the capsule of Papaver somniferum has its activity compromised by the gastrointestinal effects that hinder the proper functioning of the opioid signaling system. In light with the fundamentality of opiates in medicine, this essay seeks to analyze the pharmacological effects of opiate on the human system critically, it history and the statistics of its usage. Hence, this report presents all the vital information culminating from the abuse of opiates.
History of use
Opium is the earliest drug abused by human, other than alcohol. The abuse of opium dates back to 4000 BC when it was abused in the Middle East. Subsequently, the Romans and the Greek indulged in the use of opium for recreational purposes and pain relieving, owing to the euphoric and analgesic properties of opium. Furthermore, during the invasion of the drug into the medical spheres of humanity, extensive studies were conducted on the drug. In this accord, the plant from which opium is extracted from has been designated the plant of joy owing to the feeling that it elicits upon its intake. As a result of technological advancements and the industrial era, opium was now processed and subjected to diverse uses. More insight into the background of opium, the revelation of a plant species from which opium is extracted is genetically purported by a majority of ancient physicians as having a divine origin. In this regard, the plant was referred by many names, such as the anchor of life, the hands of God, and the milk of paradise (Osler).
Pharmacology of opiates
The pharmacology of opiates involving three opiate receptors, mu, kappa, and delta, have significantly contributed to the medical application of opiates as analgesia. The activation of the mu receptors of opioid drives a cascade of reactions that result in eliciting of analgesia, euphoria, sedation, and respiratory depression as resultant effects. On the other hand, activation of kappa receptors result in mild analgesia and less respiration. Taking the delta receptor into consideration, the activation of the delta receptors drive the production of analgesic effect with reduced probability of adverse effects. It is fundamental to note that opioid activates these receptors triggering an agonist or an antagonist effect. An agonist reaction produces analgesia while an antagonists reaction spurs attenuation of analgesia (Jones, Hellwig, & Rausch, 2016).
Opiate usage report
According to the report presented by the Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG), an affiliated of the International Narcotics Control Board, the abuse of drugs in the class...