Narcotics

A narcotic is a type of drug that is used to alleviate pain, help to suppress cough, reduce anxiety or tension. True narcotics, or opioids, are made from opium, which is extracted from the poppy. In the United States, “narcotics” is a term often used incorrectly to describe any illegal drug.

There are two types of narcotics, opiates and synthetics. Some examples are:

• Heroin
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Oxycodone
• Vicodin
• Fentanyl
• Methadone

Although narcotics are prescribed by doctors to help people who are suffering from pain, the abuse of narcotics is widespread in the United States. Sometimes people, who are prescribed the medication for an illness, choose to sell it on the streets. Other street dealers buy the drug from illegal manufacturers. Either way, it is illegal to consume narcotics that are not prescribed to you. There are several dangers from using narcotics illegally. First of all, you may have a bad reaction to the drug, you may become addicted or you may overdose. Other dangers arise by how the drug is consumed. If you are sharing a needle with someone, you are putting yourself at risk for hepatitis, HIV or AIDS. Often times, while under the influence of narcotics, you may be having unprotected sex, which will put you at an even higher risk of contracting a disease.

Some of the side effects of narcotics are:

• Euphoria
• Respiratory depression
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Itchiness
• Tolerance
• Dependence
• Physical addiction

If you are prescribed a narcotic for an extended period of time, you may develop a tolerance to the drug. In other words, you would need to take more of the drug to achieve the same desired effect. This is also true if you use narcotics recreationally. You may start by using the drug every once in a while, next thing you know, you are using the drug every day. Eventually, you feel like you can’t cope without it. When you get to this level of dependence, you are living your life very dangerously. The physical, medical and legal consequences can be severe. You may be lying about how much you are using, or where you are getting it. You might start stealing in order to pay for the drugs. In some cases you may trade sex for drugs. You may even get caught in some kind of illegal activity, selling drugs, theft, prostitution, the list goes on.

If you are at a point where you feel like you can’t stop using drugs, you don’t have to wait until something devastating happens. The best thing for you to do is ask for help. You can easily attend a 12-step meeting in your area, get some counseling, or go into a treatment center. Just do something.

Narcotics: