The Effects of Narcotics
Narcotics
are highly addictive drugs that are used medically to kill pain.
They are often prescribed by doctors to relieve moderate and severe
pain (except heroin, which is illegal in the United States). The
physical withdrawal symptoms of narcotics are insomnia, tremors,
nausea, chills, muscular pains and uncontrollable kicking (hence
the expression "kicking the habit").
The
most common narcotics are the following:
- Codeine
Codeine is a derivative of the opium poppy. It is the least
addictive type of narcotic and most widely used in medical
treatment. It is prescribed in pure tablets or in tablets
containing other pain relievers. Codeine is also found in
some prescription liquid cough remedies.
- Morphine
Morphine is also derived from the opium poppy. It is precribed
by doctors and used in hospitals and is one of the most
effective drugs for the relief of pain. It can be taken
in tablet or liquid (injectible form).
- Heroin
Heroin was used as a legal narcotic in the United States
until its high potential for addiction was learned. Today,
it is only sold illegally on the street. Pure heroin is
a white powder but heroin on the street can vary in color
from white to dark brown due to additives and impurities.
Heroin addicts are known as "junkies" because of the "junk"
with which heroin is cut.
- Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone is commonly referred to as "Dilaudud." It
is sold as either a tablet or injectible fluid. Dialudid
is semi-synthetic and at least twice as potent as morphine.
It is widely sought by narcotics addicts.
Method
of Ingestion:
Swallowed in pill form, sniffed, smoked or injected
Short-
and Long-Term Effects of Narcotics:
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Apathy
- Nausea
and vomiting
- Slurred
speech
- Constricted
pupils
- Decreased
physical activity
- Convulsions
- Respiratory
depression
- Greater
susceptibility to infection.
- Increased
risk of hepatitis or AIDS from infected needles
- Coma
- Death
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