Narcotics Abuse – Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatment Options

What are Narcotics?

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) describes narcotics as a range of mind-altering substances that dull sensory experiences and relieve pain.² In the past, “narcotic” was a broad term for all illicit drugs. Currently, narcotics are most commonly associated with opiates and opioids.

Opiates come from naturally produced opium in a medicinal poppy plant. Opioids, on the other hand, are synthetic and semisynthetic drugs derived from chemical compounds in laboratories.

Opioids can take many forms. Qualified health professionals may legally prescribe pain relievers, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine. Opioids may also include synthetic and illicit drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is 80 times more potent than morphine.³ Since 2013, fentanyl has been a catalyst for the steep rise in opioid overdoses.

Below is a brief list of narcotics that have contributed to the opioid overdose epidemic:

Understanding Opioid Misuse and Drug Addiction

Opioid misuse, drug addiction, and fatal overdoses have torn families apart, taking a toll on users and their loved ones. The causes behind the opioid epidemic are diverse. For instance, a doctor may prescribe an opioid to reduce pain after a major injury or surgery. Opioid prescriptions are also common in the treatment of severe pain related to a health condition such as cancer or chronic pain.

However, prescription opioid medication comes with a high risk of dependence and addiction if misused. Opioid misuse can lead to heroin use after the prescription has expired, and users want to continue to reach the same “highs.” There has also been a surge of illicitly manufactured fentanyl that fuels the black market. All of these causes have contributed to the epidemic.

Another significant problem contributor of opioid misuse is the rising number of women who are misusing opioids while pregnant.⁴ Opioid use during pregnancies can cause babies to be born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, which is an addiction to opioids and immediate withdrawal symptoms.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released the 2024 edition of Drugs of Abuse, A DEA Resource Guide. This resource includes important information about the harms and consequences of drug use, as well as the most commonly abused and misused drugs in the nation. The most abused narcotics include:⁵

Fentanyl (Actiq^®, Fentora^®, Subsys^®)
Heroin (Street names: Black Tar, Hell Dust, Smack)
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid, EXALGO^®, Palladone™)
Methadone (Dolophine^®, Methadose)
Morphine (MS-Contin^®, MSir^®, RMS^®)
Opium (Street names: Black Pill, Dopium, Great Tabacco)
Oxycodone (OxyContin^®, Percodan^®, Roxicet^®)

Why Do People Become Addicted to Opioids?

The American Society of Anesthesiologists notes that opioids may make your brain and body believe the drug is necessary for survival and everyday functioning.⁶ Indeed, as time passes, users generally start to tolerate the dose prescribed. As a result, they become increasingly dependent as they need higher dose to relieve their pain. This need for more medication leads to dependency or addiction. Medical professionals describe addition “as an irresistible craving for a drug, out-of-control and compulsive use of the drug, and continued use of the drug despite repeated, harmful consequences.”⁷

However, bear in mind that each case is different. Your personal history and how long you use opioids also play a role, yet it’s difficult to predict the severity of drug abuse for each person.

Risk Factors of Narcotics Abuse

Although anyone can become addicted to drugs, certain situations may put you at higher risk, including:⁷

Criminal activity
Family history of substance abuse
History of severe depression or anxiety
Lower socioeconomic status
Personal history of substance abuse
Prior drug or alcohol rehabilitation
Regular contact with high-risk people
Risk-taking or thrill-seeking behavior
Stressful circumstances
Substantial tobacco use
Unemployment
Younger adults

How to Tell If a Loved One is Abusing Narcotics

Loved ones need to increase their awareness of addiction as well as the signs and symptoms of narcotics abuse. There are a range of signs that can help determine if a loved one is misusing opioids or narcotics.

Ask yourself these questions first:

What are the chances my loved one could be addicted? (Pay attention to the known risk factors of narcotics abuse.)
What changes have you noticed?

Here are some common signs of opioid addiction to look out for in your loved ones:

Not taking medication as intended, such as taking more than the prescribed dose or continues using a drug after it’s no longer necessary for pain relief.
Feeling shaky, depressed, sick, sweaty, or experiencing headaches when the drug wears off. They may also experience emotional changes, such as excessive mood swings.
Spending a lot of time thinking about the drug. They may try to borrow or steal medications from others or pretend to lose the medication so they can get another prescription.
Losing interest in hobbies or passions, having trouble doing everyday tasks, or putting themselves in danger, such as driving recklessly or stealing money for drugs.
Having bloodshot eyes, bad breath, frequent bloody noses, or a significant difference in their weight.

Treatment Options for Narcotics Abuse

Drug addiction is a chronic disease, so if you’re a victim of narcotics abuse long-term or repeated care may be needed. Effective drug addiction treatments may include:⁹

Behavioral therapies
Long-term follow-up for relapse prevention
Medical devices to treat withdrawal symptoms
Medication, such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone
Outpatient or inpatient behavioral treatment
Treatment for co-occurring mental health issues

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2023–2024.
United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d). Narcotics (Opioids).
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2025). Fentanyl.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Opioid misuse and addiction.
United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (2024). Drugs of abuse, A DEA resource guide.
American Society of Anesthesiologists. (2024). Opioid abuse.
Mayo Clinic. (2024). How opioid addiction occurs.

the Take-Away

Narcotics abuse is a growing trend due to the highly addictive nature of opioid medications. Treatment options are available to get your life back to normal.

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