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What are Narcotics? Are You Addicted?

Are You Addicted to Narcotics? Find Out, and Learn What You Can do

If you’re addicted to narcotic drugs, you need to learn more about your addiction. Maybe you’re in a situation right now where you know you’re misusing them. You may not know if you’re actually addicted, or perhaps you don’t know how to stop. If any of that sounds familiar to you, this is the place to get the right information.

This type of addiction is dangerous, and recovering from it requires narcotic treatment. Let’s talk about this addiction in greater detail. It might help you to understand the reasons why you should quit.

What are Narcotics?

According to WebMD, narcotics are defined as strong prescription pain medications. However, the DEA also classifies heroin and opium as fitting into this drug category as well.

The word narcotic is a word that comes from the Greek term that means, “to make something numb.” It isn’t a word that is used as often today as it was just a few years ago. However, the drugs it refers to are still widely used all over the United States.

Today, drugs that count as narcotics are otherwise known as opioids or opiates. They are currently the definition of what a narcotic is. Most opioid drugs are prescribed to help with serious acute or chronic pain. Some may be prescribed off-label for other purposes. There are also several that are used to treat opioid addiction.

When a prescribed narcotic is used appropriately, it is very effective. These drugs should only be taken on a short-term basis. Any long-term use of them is likely to lead to an addiction.

Comprehensive List of the Most Abused Narcotics in the U.S.

There are many different types of opioids available in the United States. Once you become addicted to one of these narcotic drugs, you need professional treatment to quit.

Because there are so many types of narcotics, you’re likely to find your drug of choice on this list.

Heroin is a drug that most people are familiar with. It may be the most “famous” narcotic of all. Many people gravitate toward this drug when they’re no longer to obtain their prescription opiates. Its chemical makeup is very similar, and it produces a similar high.

This is a highly addictive drug, and hundreds of thousands of people battle this addiction each year. It comes in a powder form, which is then smoked, snorted or injected. There are some experts who believe that a heroin addiction can occur after the very first use.


Opium is the drug that started the opioid epidemic that we’re familiar with today. It is naturally derived from the poppy plant, and usually comes in a brown powder. It is used to create heroin, morphine and other types of opioid drugs.

As a drug of abuse, Opium isn’t as popular today as it once was. It was once used medicinally in the United States, and has been used all over the world.


Oxycodone (which also goes by the name OxyContin, among other brand names) is very popular. It is often the requested opioid pain medication by those who suffer from severe pain. Unfortunately, it is also a highly-sought-after drug of abuse.

Many times, people begin using Oxy very innocently. They receive a prescription for it, and find out later that they are addicted to it. Other times, people abuse this drug for recreational reasons. They may grind the pills up and snort them or inject them. As time goes on, either method can result in an addiction that requires treatment.


Morphine is a highly effective pain medication that is frequently used in hospital settings. It is often combined with other medications during anesthesia prior to surgical procedures. It comes from the opium poppy plant, and is used to treat chronic pain.

There are many synthesized opioid drugs on the market today. Many of them have morphine as their base. It has been around for many years, and continues to be one of doctor’s most likely choices for pain relief.


Hydrocodone is a medication that also goes by the names, Vicodin, Lortab and Lorcet. Statistics tell us that in the United States, we consume 99% of the world’s hydrocodone. This is a medication that is typically tried before other, more addictive opiate drugs.

Hydrocodone is typically combined with acetaminophen to increase its pain relieving capabilities. Like other drugs in this category, this is a highly addictive narcotic. People may take the capsules, or they may crush them and snort them or inject them. Some people will even smoke them in order to get high.


Hydromorphone is a drug that also goes by the brand name Dilaudid. This is a narcotic that has mixed reviews by users. Some people indicate that taking the pills doesn’t do much to get them high. They assert that the injectable or IV versions of it are much better for that purpose.

It’s very difficult to find Dilaudid on the street because it’s not a drug that’s prescribed often. This is due to its highly addictive nature. When this drug is abused, the risk of overdosing on it is quite high.


This is a narcotic drug that has been making its rounds in the news in recent months. Fentanyl is often referred to as Duragesic, Subsys or Actiq. It is a highly addictive drug that is only used for people who don’t respond to other opioids. It is as much as 100 times more potent than morphine.

This drug comes in multiple forms. It can be sold as patches, lozenges, tablets, nasal sprays and as injectable medication. People will often mix Fentanyl with other drugs to enhance their effects. However, some will simply use it on its own. They’ll swallow it, snort it, inject it or smoke it.


Methadone is a drug that has a few different purposes. It is typically prescribed for use within methadone clinics. This is because it can be highly addictive if it’s abused. People may use it to treat chronic, severe pain, or they may use it to help with opioid addiction.

Once people reach a certain point in their treatment, they may be permitted to take methadone at home. This is highly problematic because of the risk of abuse. It is a very difficult drug to recover from once you’re addicted.


Codeine is a drug that is synthesized from morphine. It is available in combination with other medications to help with pain. It also acts as a cough suppressant, which makes it a popular ingredient in prescribed cough medicine.

This narcotic drug is often abused by young people. They will add it to other beverages to create dangerous combinations. These new drinks are referred to by the street terms, Purple Drank and Lean. Drinking them can be dangerous, and it can lead to an overdose.


Meperidine is most often known by its brand name, Demerol. This drug usually begins with getting a prescription. People take it for acute pain, but they tend to become tolerant to it very quickly.

When the medication stops working well, people will typically increase how much they’re taking. When they do, they are unknowingly abusing it. This is the very first sign of Demerol dependence, which can quickly lead to an addiction.


Tramadol is a drug that most people consider to be much safer than other opiates. It works a bit differently because it blocks the reabsorption of norepinephrine and serotonin. This increases its ability to dull pain. Tramadol often goes by the names Ultram or ConZip.

Most experts believe Tramadol to be much less addictive than other opioid drugs. However, recent reports have not shown this to be the case. Its abuse potential is growing with every passing year.


Oxymorphone is a drug that most people recognize by its brand name, Opana ER. It was designed to offer pain relief around the clock to those who need it. This medication is usually only prescribed after other opiates have failed. It is twice as powerful as Oxycodone.

Oxymorphone produces a powerful high. It’s very difficult to snort this drug. People may attempt to chew the pills, or they can dissolve them and inject them into a vein. In recent years, the number of prescriptions for this medication have increased.


Carfentanil is the most dangerous opioid drug on this list. It was designed to be used as a tranquilizer for large animals, such as elephants. Therefore, it’s often used in zoo settings. It is available on the street, and it has resulted in many fatalities and overdoses.

To make matters worse, this is a drug that is being mixed with other drugs. That means that people are using heroin or cocaine, and they’re not realizing that they’re getting Carfentanil as well.


Buprenorphine is a medication that has caused so many people to have high hopes. While it is an opioid drug, it is approved to treat opioid addiction. It works by attaching to the opioid receptors in the body. This prevents the user from getting high when using another opiate drug or medication. It also effectively helps to address withdrawal.

The problem is that Buprenorphine is often abused. It can be sold as Buprenex, Subutex and Butrans, among other brand names. When it’s used excessively, it can result in a euphoric high.

What is the Abuse of Narcotics?

When you are abusing narcotic drugs, you’re taking them in a way that you shouldn’t. If it’s a prescription drug, you’re not following your doctor’s instructions. If it’s an illegal narcotic, any use of it at all is considered to be abuse.

People abuse these drugs in many different ways. Sometimes they’re doing so without realizing it. They may find that the drug isn’t working to help their pain, so they increase their dosage. Any use of one of these substances for the purpose of getting high is considered abuse as well.

How Does This Lead to a Narcotics Addiction?

Sometimes people will abuse narcotics regularly without thinking about the consequences. It never crosses their minds that they may one day become addicted. Unfortunately, that’s the case for most of them. That could even be the case for you.

A narcotics addiction happens because your brain and body get used to having the substance regularly. Opioid drugs cause an increase in the amount of dopamine in the brain. This gives you a pleasurable feeling, and eventually, your brain stops making it on its own. Without it, you don’t feel like yourself, and you begin withdrawing. This is a painful process that prompts you to use again.

You may not know if you’re addicted to narcotic drugs or not. However, you do need to know for sure. That way, you can take action and get the help you need to stop using them.

It might help you to see some of the more common signs and symptoms of addiction, which include:

  • Neglecting people and activities that you usually enjoy
  • Frequently losing control over how much or how often you use
  • Having relationship issues
  • Having problems at work or at school
  • Going through withdrawal when you quit using
  • Trying to stop, but being unsuccessful
  • Continually using these drugs in spite of the negative consequences

The Effects of Opioid Drugs on the Mind and Body

When people form addictions to opioids, they usually do so because they enjoy their positive effects. Using them makes them feel sedated, calm and euphoric. The drugs calm them down and even play a role in relieving anxiety. However, these medications have so much more in store.

In the short-term, people can experience:

  • Drowsiness
  • Feeling lethargic and fatigued
  • Paranoia
  • Respiratory problems
  • Nausea

The longer someone takes a narcotic drug, the more serious the side effects become. The long-term effects include:

  • Abdominal bloating and distention
  • Severe constipation, and even blockages
  • Liver damage
  • Brain damage
  • The risk of addiction

What are Narcotics? Are You Addicted?

The Importance of Addiction Treatment

Getting treated for your narcotics addiction is so important. You should know that it might not be enough for you to go to Narcotics Anonymous. This is an excellent program, but if you’re an addict, you need professional treatment. This means that you must address the physical and the psychological sides of your addiction.

It’s not easy to stop taking a narcotic drug, and cold turkey quitting is never recommended. Opiate detox is important because this will help your body adjust to you no longer using. You will experience withdrawal when you quit. Symptoms may include:

  • Intense cravings for the drugs
  • Headaches
  • Aches and pains
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Intense anxiety
  • Diarrhea

Detoxing can help you minimize the effects of withdrawal. It can also shorten its duration and make you feel much more comfortable.

After you’ve detoxed, the next step is to determine why you are addicted to narcotic drugs. This might be something you’re aware of, but it might not be. People form addictions for a number of different reasons.

It could be that you turned to opioid drugs because you’re under a lot of stress. Maybe you recently got a divorce or lost your job, and the drugs made you feel better. Or, it’s possible that you suffered from a traumatic event, and you now have PTSD. Using narcotics is the only way you’ve found that helps you cope.

No matter what the issue is, it’s important to address it. This will be done for you during your narcotics addiction treatment. Remember, it’s not going to work for you to just ignore your addiction. You also can’t only address the physical side. You must address the psychological aspect of it as well.

Finding the Right Narcotics Rehab for Your Recovery

At this point, you need to find the best narcotics rehab program that can meet all of your needs. That’s what you’ll find when you choose Northpoint Washington. We understand the ins and outs of this addiction. We know how hard it is to recover, and we’ve devised strategies that are proven to help.

It might make you feel a little scared to think of never using again. Perhaps you’re afraid of withdrawal, or maybe you just can’t imagine not having your opioid drugs. You’re not the only person to ever feel this way. It’s actually quite common. We can assure you that we’ll be with you every step of the way.

If you’re a narcotic addict, you don’t have to continue to suffer alone. How can we answer any of your other questions about this addiction? Do you need help getting started with treatment? Contact us today and let’s put a plan together to help you with your recovery.

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