Opiates are substances created from opium that act to depress or slow the action of the central nervous system. Opium is the dried juice of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), a plant grown since ancient times. The term "opiates" is generally used to refer to morphine, heroin, and codeine. Opioids, a larger category, refers to opiates and synthetic (artificially produced) substances that have morphine-like effects. When used for medical reasons, opioids are unlikely to result in dependence. However, as drugs of abuse, opioids lead to the same conditions of dependence and addiction as opiate drugs—conditions from which it is extremely difficult to recover.

Chemical Background

The juice of the seed pod of the opium poppy is a sticky brown sap. The sap contains 7 to 15 percent morphine, the main active ingredient. The name morphine is derived from the Greek god...