In 1898 a German pharmaceutical company called Bayer introduced a wonder drug for treating tuberculosis and the growing problem of morphine addiction. Heroin, the drug was called, was made from the resin of poppy plants. Sold in a bottle, the drug provided intense pain relief as well as pleasant euphoric sensations. Quickly, however, the addiction to morphine was no longer a problem. Heroin was turning to morphine in the blood stream and many more people became addicted to the medication. From there on, heroin was the name used to describe the drug made from the poppy plant. Today, Bayer is well known for being a trusted provider of medications which can stop or prevent heart attack.
Poppy plants are illegal in many parts of the world, except for the countries which rely on the heroin trade for their economies. Heroin is produced from the resin of the poppy plants by refining the opium extracted from poppy plants to morphine, which is then put through another refining practice to make heroin. Heroin can be different colors of different consistencies. From black, referred to as “tar” to white, keeping track of heroin can be difficult, making it a dangerous drug. Used as its own source or used to cut into other drugs like MDMA, heroin and morphine are powerful drugs which have caused thousands of people their lives, starting in the mid 1800s.
Since morphine was developed to replace opium addiction and heroin was developed to replace morphine addiction, more opioid based products have been created. Problematically, scientists continue to turn to opioid-based solutions for opioid-based problems. For example, the powerful morphine based prescription painkiller drugs introduced to the market in the late 1990’s have been identified as the root cause of today’s global opioid epidemic. Yet another opioid-based drug was introduced as an alternative, turning instead to synthetic science instead of relying upon morphine and opium derivatives. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid which is one hundred times more potent than morphine itself, has now become a global problem causing tens of thousands of fatal overdoses.
With a growing awareness about the severity of opioid addiction and quality residential treatment programmes like the ones offered at Smarmore Castle Private Clinic, we can strive for a solution based in abstinence and recovery. Smarmore offers a proven recovery system based on the Castle Craig model. Smarmore Castle Private Clinic stands as an establishment which is respected by many for our work in restoring patients to optimum health of mind, body, and spirit. For information on our programmes, call to speak with one of our caring staff members at +353 41 214 5111.
