Founding fathers and opiates and alcohol — and morphine?

Deterioration

George Washington (1789-1797)

The nation’s first president had bad teeth. Some say that Washington used the opiate derivative laudanum to help alleviate his discomfort. Still around today, laudanum is a combination of alcohol and opium with the presence of morphine in its mixture. Now, it is commonly prescribed for diarrhea or to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in newborns born to opiate-dependent mothers.

Red wine was also a favorite of Washington who preferred Madeira so much that he would drink up to four glasses every afternoon. If he lived in the modern era, the venerated general would be able to seek treatment for binge drinking and perhaps alcoholism – something veterans still struggle with.