Opiate Abuse and Addiction Trivia Quiz

Answer: Abdominal pain with a high fever

Unspecified abdominal pain with a high fever could indicate a disease process or an infection such as a ruptured appendix. Pain is usually the body's way of telling us something is wrong. Masking the pain with drugs before a proper diagnosis is made could be problematic.

Answer: Motrin (generic name ibuprofen)

Motrin is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, and is available over the counter without a prescription.

Answer: Morphine

Morphine is one of the very strongest opiates, and requires a more controlled form of prescription(known as a triplicate prescription form in some states) by doctors. The others may be dispensed with a regular prescription. The more potent the opiate the more easily it can lead to addiction.

Answer: The liver

Exceeding the recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage. Some addicts also abuse alcohol and this can increase the likelihood of damage to the liver. One can avoid such pitfalls by simply staying within the dosage guidelines on the prescription bottle.

Answer: Poppies

Opium and many opiate drugs were originally derived from poppies(specifically their seeds). Such drugs include morphine,codeine,noscapine, and thebaine. Although it doesn't relieve pain, thebaine is used in the production of semi-synthetic opiates such as Vicodin(hydrocodone).

Some opiates such as Demerol(meperidine)are completely synthetic and do not start out with poppy seed extract. People who have eaten poppy seeds have been known to fail drug tests. Aspirin is derived from willow bark. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and benzene is a carcinogenic chemical.

Answer: Cheerful and happy disposition

Not wanting others to notice their addictive behavior leads to isolation and poor family relationships for the addict. Driving while impaired and questionable methods for obtaining drugs often lead to run-ins with the law.

Answer: Alopecia (hair loss)

Opiates slow down smooth muscle (intestine and stomach) activity. When one stops taking them, the smooth muscle begins to "come back to life" and this causes intense diarrhea and vomiting. Many nervous system responses, including sweating, occur during withdrawal.

Answer: Treatment that is customized for the individual

Treatment should always be on an individual basis as every person has unique problems and needs.

Answer: Laudanum

Laudanum was incredibly popular during the Victorian era. It was cheaper than most liquor and was used for everything from pain to cardiac problems. Absinthe is an anise (liquorice) flavored alcoholic spirit, also popular during Victorian times. Hydrocodone is the active ingredient in Vicodin and I made up Dr. Buckley's.

Answer: Heroin

It was rapidly discovered that heroin created addiction problems even worse than morphine. Paregoric is camphorated opium tincture and is most commonly used for diarrhea. Antabuse(disulfiram) is a drug given to help alcoholics beat their addiction.