Iranian Common Attitude toward Opium Consumption

Abstract

Iran is suffering from the 2 nd most severe addiction to opioids in the world. While the explanation of this enormous drug problem is refutably related to drug trafficking, the drug dilemma also illustrates the chain reaction of the imposed war with Iraq in 1980 -88; the problems of poverty, unemployment, urbanization, homelessness, adultery, family crises, divorce, domestic violence, and runaway children. Although opium addiction often linked to these factors, drug use is common among all social classes. It seems that a positive traditional attitude is another reason for widespread raw opium use in this country. A survey in Iranian literature reveals that famous Iranian poets, who have a substantial contribution on cultural attitude formation of Iranian population, have used the phrase "Teriac" (raw opium) as a means of "antidote" a substance that treats every disease. It seems that a concrete deduction from the literature has been leaden to a positive attitude towards opium consumption in Persian culture. Recent research also supports this idea. Many patients use raw opium as a pain killer or for treating hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases; most of them had started the use after developing the disease and the remaining had increased the consumption after developing the disease. Regarding this superstitious common belief, drug control headquarters should focus on education and correction of the faulty unhealthy attitude toward opium consumption.

How are Iranian Gay Men Coping with Systematic Suppression Under Islamic Law? A Qualitative Study

“…Although, because of all the restrictions, alcohol usage in Iran is significantly lower than in many other countries (World Health Organization 2014), the use of opium and opium residue is much higher in Iran. In fact, Iran is currently ranked second in the world for severe addiction to opioids (Zarghami 2015). The Iranian Drug Control Headquarters estimated that, in 2015, as many as 2.8 million Iranians aged 15-64 years old were addicted to illicit drugs.…”

“…Even though addiction to opioids is often associated with biopsychosocial factors, it was also found that drug use is common among all social classes in Iran. One reason for this appears to be the positive traditional attitude towards raw opium use (Zarghami 2015). Nevertheless, there is no known study of substance misuse among gay men living in Iran.…”

Tincture of opium for treating opioid dependence: a systematic review of safety and efficacy

“…Afghanistan and Iran also have the highest rate of opium seizure in the world . The third reason is the cultural acceptability and fewer stigmas towards opium in these regions due to long‐standing use of the substance in the region, in many cases as a medicine , which can eventually increase the compliance of patients with the treatment. In a qualitative study among 52 patients receiving OT, reported reasons for switching to OT were dependence on methadone, the chemical nature of methadone and long duration of methadone treatment, as opposed to the herbal nature of OT, its ability to improve general health as well as treatment of craving and withdrawal.…”

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood of opium‐addicted mothers

“…The most common type of substance addiction among Iranian women is opium (Ghazavi, Mosayebi, Solhi, Rafiei, & Moazzeni, 2013; Maghsoudlou et al, 2018; Saleh Gargari et al, 2011; Sharifian et al, 2011; Soltaninejad & Shadnia, 2018; Zarghami, 2015). Opium contains more than 40 types of alkaloids, including morphine, codeine, and thebaine as well as 70 other components, such as sugars and organic acids (Ghazavi, Mosayebi, et al, 2013; Yarahmadzehi, Fanaei, Mirshekar, & Atashpanjeh, 2020).…”

“…Opium contains more than 40 types of alkaloids, including morphine, codeine, and thebaine as well as 70 other components, such as sugars and organic acids (Ghazavi, Mosayebi, et al, 2013; Yarahmadzehi, Fanaei, Mirshekar, & Atashpanjeh, 2020). Opium is traditionally used in Iran for pleasure or treatment, such as the treatment of diarrhea, insomnia, and pain relief (Ghazavi, Mosayebi, et al, 2013; Zarghami, 2015).…”