Narcotics

Narcotics are also called opiates or opiods.  They depress, or decrease the action of, the central nervous system. Narcotics include opium, the crude preparation from opium poppy juices; morphine and codeine; and some semisynthetic  and synthetic chemics such as heroin and fentanyl. Analgesia (pain relief) and euphoria (an intense sense of pleasure and well-being) are two effects of narcotics.  Respiratory depression accompanies both effects and is the cause of death due to overdose.  The search for more effective narcotics has resulted in new, very potent opium derivatives such as fentanyl, which is used medically as an analgesic.  Unfortunately, it is also favored by abusers, who refer to it as China White.

Active drugs occur in all parts of the opium poppy.  The drug name, narcotics, derives from a Greek term for stupor, a state resembling the deep sleep that can be induced by the narcotics.  Opium has been used for thousands of years, perhaps as early as the 15th century B.C.  Narcotics were introduced to the United States in the late 1800s by Chinese workers.  Opium poppies were introduced to Mexico and Central and South America during World War II.  Morphine shortages during World War II led German chemists to synthesize methadone as a substitute.  Methadone is very long-acting and prevents euphoria in tolerant users.  Because of this, it is a mainstay of detoxification and maintenance treatment programs.

Abuse is a relatively recent problem in the history of narcotics.  Until the 17th century only weak preparations were available, societal and medical norms regulated their use, and the drugs were taken orally.  The introduction of smoking and injection, the isolation of morphine and the synthesis of heroin (so-called by its German developers because users felt heroic) all increased abuse.  Many pain medications are combinations of acetaminophen and narcotics, and many narcotics are now listed as scheduled drugs, generally Schedule I and Schedule II. Prescription pain medications have familiar names such as Oxycontin, Percacet, Demerol, Darvon, etc., and most have abuse and dependence potential.

Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine that is ten times more potent than morphine and is able to enter the brain much more rapidly.  Narcotic effects result from drug interaction with specific receptors in several areas of the central nervous system, including the peptides known as endorphins and enkephalins. Chronic use of narcotics can produce significant tolerance and dependence in the user and also in a fetus carried by a user.  Sudden cessation of use in a tolerant user can cause intensely uncomfortable, but not life-threatening, withdrawal effects.  The symptoms associated with withdrawal include irritability, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, and gooseflesh.  There may also be tremors and twitching movements.  The average length of withdrawal symptoms is 7 to 10 days after the last drug use.

For more information regarding narcotics, go to http://www.emedicinehealth.com/pain_medications/page5_em.htm.