Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Neurosciences Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology and Department of Neurology, Shafa Hospital, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran,

2 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Health in Disasters and Emergencies Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Neurosciences Research Center, Institute Of Neuropharmacology and Department of Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Persian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Drug abuse is one of the most important threats to human beings today, leading to disability and
even early death. In the past, opium had only therapeutic uses, but now, drug addiction is one of the
major public health problems in Iran. Opium and its derivatives are the most commonly used illicit
drugs in this country. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the treatment strategies of
opium addiction from the perspective of Persian medicine. In this narrative review, the search was
conducted using appropriate keywords in the authoritative books of Persian medicine documentations
of databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, American Academy of Medical Sciences, United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes with keywords of opioid and opium since 2000 AD. In Persian
medicine books, “Afioon” means poppy plant (Papaver somniferum), which is called opium in English
and “Theriac” in Persian. To quit, they should be gradually reduced and replaced with appropriate
spices such as henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) seeds or mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) fruit or
root or poppy (P. somniferum) seeds or poppy shell or Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds, or castor
testis or nutmeg (Myristans fragrans) fruit or ajwain (Trachyspermum copticum) seeds or baked
bread. Opioid quit should be gradual and delayed in time of consumption and gradual reduction of
opium levels, and bodies that have become lean for a long time will gradually recover with adequate
nutrition over time.

Keywords

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