What constitutes "drug-abuse" remains an ongoing controversy because social, cultural, administrative, legal, political, metaphysical and philosophical issues have been unresolved. The use of drugs such as opium, cannabis, coca, alcohol, or tobacco is an integral part of the daily life of certain communities. For instance 'Kat' may be used by the shephered to help maintain his vigilance while a...

BACKGROUND The relationship between substance use and sleep is bidirectional. Substance use directly causessleep disturbances, and sleep problems are a critical factor in substance-use relapse. METHODS This study evaluated sleep disorders in 65 methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients, and61 opium-dependent patients who did not receive any treatment between September 2011 and July 2012 ...

BACKGROUND Like any other drug abuse, opium use is known to have detrimental effects on oral health. Oral hygiene neglect in opium users can lead to tooth loss resulting in further functional, esthetic, and dieting problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association between tooth loss and opium addiction in a large-scale population. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was pa...

BACKGROUND Opium-dependence having different effects on the nervous system is a common problem, especially in the Middle East and Iran. The aim of this study is evaluating the effects of opium-dependence on visual evoked potential (VEP) in men. METHODS Thirty subjects with both chronic cigarette smoking and opium-dependence (group 1) and 30 subjects with only chronic cigarette smoking (group ...

The effect of the endogenous opioid system as analgesics was not identified until the early 1970’s [1]. Since the 3rd century BC, however, it has been known that opium as the main compound of opiates, harvested from the juice of the opium poppy was of use in managing pain, as well being addictive [1,2]. The introduction in 1680 of Sydenham’s Laudanum, a mixture of opium with sherry wine and her...

BACKGROUND Opium dependence is one of the most challenging health problems in the developing countries as well as Iran. Among several health problems due to opium dependence, there are limited reports indicating the presence of lead in opium. The aim of this study is to investigate the blood lead level (BLL) in oral and inhalational opium dependents and its association with anemia. MATERIALS ...

of opium. Indeed, there can be few (if any) officials in authority, either in India or China, having, or who could be reasonably expected to possess, more than a very general impression regarding the subject. Yet, in many districts in India, the use of opium is as common as in China itself. On the other hand, there are numerous medical officers, who, from personal experience and observation, of...

INTRODUCTION The term narcotic has had wide and inconsistent usage in lay, legal and scientific circles. Some use the word to characterize any drug which produces stupor, insensibility or sleep; many apply it only to derivatives of the opium plant ( `opiates'); others consider the term equivalent to 'addiction-producing'; and in legal matters, 'narcotics' may refer to almost any allegedly dange...

AIM To study survival in isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients and to evaluate the impact of preoperative chronic opium consumption on long-term outcome. METHODS Cohort of 566 isolated CABG patients as Tehran Heart Center cardiac output measurement was conducted. Daily evaluation until discharge as well as 4- and 12-mo and 6.5-year follow-up information for survival status wer...

Background‎: The relationship between substance use and sleep is bidirectional. Substance use directly causes sleep disturbances, and sleep problems are a critical factor in substance-use relapse. Methods: This study evaluated sleep disorders in 65 methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients, and 61 opium-dependent patients who did not receive any treatment between September 2011 and July 20...