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What are narcotics ?
Narcotics are drugs from the opiate family, drugs that are derived
naturally from the seedpods of the opium poppy (papaver somniferum),
or are produced synthetically and have opiate like effects. Narcotics
reduce pain and create a state of well-being. Upon use, narcotics
have an immediate effect on the body.
The body creates its own natural opiate: endorphins. Endorphins
are the bodies natural painkillers. When the body is in pain,
it releases neurotransmitters, a stimuli or message to the body
that it has pain. The brain then creates endorphins to block the
pain messages from the brain/body. The word endorphins comes from
the term endogenous, meaning morphine-like substances "produced
in the body."
Narcotics are highly addictive because they change the chemistry
of the brain: they decrease the perception of pain and alter the
body's reaction to pain. When taken, the body creates less endorphins
because the effects of narcotics are so much more intense than
those of endorphins.
If you stop taking narcotics, your body goes through the effects
of withdrawal. This occurs because your body cannot produce enough
endorphins quickly enough to make you feel good, the way narcotics
do. There are not enough endorphins to block the pain and your
body becomes physically addicted to narcotics. This is where the
habituation to the drug starts as
the user must replace the missing endorphins with narcotics in
order to feel good and to avoid the painful effects of narcotic
withdrawal. This leads to the dependance of the drug.
Why do people take narcotics ?
Narcotics are taken for their ability to relieve pain, create
relaxation and for their immediate euphoric affect.
Types of narcotics:
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Natural opiates |
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- Opium
- Morphine
- Codeine >> Doriden, Empirin, Tylenole with Codeine
- Thebaine
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Opiate Derivatives - Semi Synthetic |
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- Dextromethorphan
- Etorphine
- Heroin >> Diacetylmorphine
- Hydrocodone >> Anexsia, Hycodan, Hycomine, Lorcet,
Lortab, Tussionex, Tylox, Vicodin, and Vicoprofen.
- Hydromorphone >> Dilaudid
- Oxycodone >> OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Roxicet,
Roxicodone, Tylox
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Synthetic |
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- Meperedine >> Demerol, Mepergan, MPTP (a fatal Meperedine-analog
Contaminant)
Narcotics Treatment Drugs:
- Buprenorphine >> Buprenex
- Butorphanol >> Stadol
- Dextropropoxyphene >> Darvon
- Fentanyl >> Alfenta, Duragesic, Innovar, Sublimaze,
Sufenta)
- LAAM - Levo-Alpha-Acetyl-Methadol
- Methadone >> Dolophine
- Pentazocine >> Talwin
- Nalorphine >> Nalline (Drug used to counterract
effect of narcotic overdose)
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Other * |
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- Cocaine, Crack, Crack Cocaine
* Both crack and cocaine share many of the same properties
as stimulants
but are classified as a narcotic under the Controlled Substances
Act (CSA) (United States). Go to the stimulants
page for if you want further information on the effects of
cocaine and crack cocaine.
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Narcotics are also known as:
Brown sugar, Chasing the dragon, China White, Crank, DXM, Eightball,
H, Junk, Smack, Speedball, more
How are narcotics taken?
Narcotics can be taken orally, inhaled, smoked or injected.
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What are the possible effects
of narcotics use ?
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Euphoria, rush, hallucinations
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Restlessness
- Loss of appetite, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting
- Dry mouth
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Lethargy, drowsiness, nodding, difficulty
being roused
- Unsteadiness, confusion
- Suppression of pain
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Constricted (pinpoint) pupils
- Scars (tracks) caused by injections
- Difficulty urinating
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Difficulty breathing
Chronic / long term use of narcotics may
cause:
- Develop tolerance
- The brain may stop producing the bodies natural painkillers
(endorphins)
- Infections of the skin
- Collapsed veins
- Loss of menstrual cycle
- Infectious diseases HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C
- Arthritis and other rheumatologic problems
- Infection of the heart valves
- Fluid in the lungs, pneumonia
- Intestinal slowdown, liver dysfunction
- Seizures
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What are the risks associated
with pregnancy and narcotics use ?
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Babies may be born addicted and experience neonatal withdrawal.
Withdrawal can result in fatality. Heroin and other
opiates, including methadone, can cause significant withdrawal
in the baby, with some symptoms lasting as long as 4 to 6
months. Other risks include:
- Seizures
- Spontaneous abortion
- Premature and growth-retarded infants
- Intestinal abnormalities
- Hyperactivity, trembling, and significant learning problems.
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Symptoms of narcotic overdose:
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Clammy skin
- Convulsions
- Coma, possible death
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Withdrawal symptoms:
Withdrawal symptoms start 8 hrs after the last use. Symptoms
can last as long as 30 days.
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Early withdrawal symptoms
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Advanced withdrawal symptoms
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- Irritability/anxiety
- Increased respiratory rate
- Sweating
- Watery eyes, tearing or crying
- Yawning
- Runny nose
- Goosebumps
- Restlessness
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of appetite, anorexia
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- Insomnia or extended restless sleep
- Abdominal cramps, diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness
- Chills
- Tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat)
- Hypertension
- Muscle spasms, tremors
- Panic
- Muscle and bone pain
- Cravings stop
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For further
information on narcotics, we have included these links:
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Full text - Articles, booklets and fact sheets:
Web sites:
If you know of a good resource, feel free
to recommend it by sending
us a link and we will do our best to add it.
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References:
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- Brecher, Edward M. and the Editors of Consumer Reports
Magazine "Effects of opium, morphine and heroin on
addicts" Chapter 4. The Consumers Union Report -
Licit and Illicit Drugs <http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/cumenu.htm>
[May 25, 2003]
- Medina, James L., MD, and Mark Zwanger, MD, MBA. "Narcotics
Abuse" Nov. 30, 2002. eMedicine < http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic321.htm
> [May 7, 2003]
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
(NCADI). "NCADI: Drugs of Abuse".
Inventory # RP0926. NCADI: SAMHSA's The National
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information - PREVLINE
< http://www.health.org/govpubs/rpo926/ > [March
01, 2003]
- U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration
"Narcotics" February 2003 Drugs of Abuse
< http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/abuse_05.htm
> [May 25, 2003]
- Withdrawal Management Association of Ontario. "What
is Withdrawal Management?"
< http://sano.camh.net/wmao/whatis.htm > [March
01, 2003]
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For further information, check
out our Youth
Resources page.
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