This group of drugs includes opium, morphine, heroin, and codeine. Opium appears as dark brown chunks or as a powder and is usually smoked or eaten. Heroin can be a white or brownish powder which is usually dissolved in water and then injected. Other opiates come in a variety of forms including capsules, tablets, syrups, solutions, and suppositories. Sometimes opiates with legal medicinal uses also are abused.
Opiates tend to relax the user.
Other initial and unpleasant effects include restlessness, nausea, and vomiting. With very large doses, the user cannot be awakened, pupils become smaller, and the skin becomes cold, moist, and bluish in color. Breathing slows down and death may occur. Dependence is likely, especially if a person uses a lot of the drug or even uses it occasionally over a long period of time. When a person becomes dependent, finding and using the drug often becomes the main focus in life.