Understanding Narcotic Abuse
One of the most frequent reasons people go to the doctor is for pain relief. There are a number of different drugs that can ease pain.
Opioids -- also called opiates or narcotics -- are pain relievers made from opium, which comes from the poppy plant. Morphine and codeine are the two natural products of opium. Synthetic modifications or imitations of morphine produce the other opioids:
Fentanyl (Duragesic)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Heroin (street drug)
Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Lorcet, Lortab, Vicodin)
Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER, Hysingla ER)Â
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Methadone               Â
Oxycodone (OxyContin)
Oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet)
Oxycodone with aspirin (Percodan)
Meperidine(Demerol)
When people use narcotics only to control pain, they are unlikely to become addicted to the drugs. However, opioids provide an intoxicating high when injected or taken orally in high doses. Opioids are also powerful anxiety relievers. For these reasons, narcotic abuse is one of the most common forms of drug abuse in the U.S.
Terms like opioid abuse, drug abuse, drug dependence, and drug addiction are often used interchangeably, but experts define them as follows:
Signs and symptoms of opioid abuse include:
If a person uses opioids for a long time, they develop physical dependence and tolerance. Usually, opioid abusers will then take more of the drug, to continue to get high. If a person stops using opioids after they become physically dependent on the drug, they will experience drug withdrawal symptoms.
Painkillers, Narcotic Abuse, and Addiction
In this article
- What Is Narcotic Abuse?
- Symptoms of Narcotic Abuse
- Symptoms of Opioid Drug Withdrawal
- Dependence vs. Addiction
- Other Abused Drugs
What Is Narcotic Abuse?
One of the most frequent reasons people go to the doctor is for pain relief. There are a number of different drugs that can ease pain.
Opioids -- also called opiates or narcotics -- are pain relievers made from opium, which comes from the poppy plant. Morphine and codeine are the two natural products of opium. Synthetic modifications or imitations of morphine produce the other opioids:
Fentanyl (Duragesic)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Heroin (street drug)
Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Lorcet, Lortab, Vicodin)
Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER, Hysingla ER)Â
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Methadone               Â
Oxycodone (OxyContin)
Oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet)
Oxycodone with aspirin (Percodan)
Meperidine(Demerol)
When people use narcotics only to control pain, they are unlikely to become addicted to the drugs. However, opioids provide an intoxicating high when injected or taken orally in high doses. Opioids are also powerful anxiety relievers. For these reasons, narcotic abuse is one of the most common forms of drug abuse in the U.S.
Terms like opioid abuse, drug abuse, drug dependence, and drug addiction are often used interchangeably, but experts define them as follows:
- Drug abuse, including opioid abuse, is the deliberate use of a medicine beyond a doctor's prescription. In the case of opiates, the intention is generally to get high or to relieve anxiety.
- Dependence occurs when the body develops tolerance to the drug, meaning higher doses are needed for the same effect. In addition, stopping the drug produces drug withdrawal symptoms.
- Drug addiction occurs when the person has drug dependence, but also displays psychological effects. These include compulsive behavior to get the drug; craving for the drug; and continued use despite negative consequences, like legal problems or losing a job.
Symptoms of Narcotic Abuse
Signs and symptoms of opioid abuse include:
- Analgesia (feeling no pain)
- Sedation
- Euphoria (feeling high)
- Respiratory depression (shallow or slow breathing)
- Small pupils
- Nausea, vomiting
- Itching or flushed skin
- Constipation
- Slurred speech
- Confusion or poor judgment
Symptoms of Opioid Drug Withdrawal
If a person uses opioids for a long time, they develop physical dependence and tolerance. Usually, opioid abusers will then take more of the drug, to continue to get high. If a person stops using opioids after they become physically dependent on the drug, they will experience drug withdrawal symptoms.