Opiate for Dummies

Opiate is a word that refers to a type of drug that comes from a natural substance called opium, which is extracted from the poppy plant. Now, you might be wondering, "What does that mean?" Well, think of opium as the very special ingredient from which opiates are made, just like how flour is the special ingredient that can be used to make different types of bread. Opiates are sometimes used as medicine to help people feel less pain. They can also make you feel very relaxed and sleepy. But wait, there's more! Opiates can also be used in a different way that is not so good. Some people may use them in a way that is not prescribed by a doctor, which means they are using them for the wrong reasons. This can lead to addiction, which is like when your body becomes reliant on something and you feel like you can't stop using it, even if it's causing you harm. So, to sum it all up, opiates are drugs that come from opium and can be used for good by doctors to help with pain, but they can also be misused, leading to addiction.