Narcotic drugs are either legal or illegal. Prescription painkillers like OxyContin are legal forms of narcotic drugs, while illegal forms include heroin, opium, and illegally sold fentanyl. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 9.1% of the U.S. population has misused narcotic drugs within their lifetime.

Besides the overall sense of well-being and contentment these drugs produce, adverse narcotic effects stay with a person long after pleasurable effects have subsided. Withdrawal episodes and addiction sit at the top of the list. Additionally, narcotic use can trigger permanent health issues and impaired brain function.

Side Effects

Whether prescribed legally or purchased illegally, narcotic drugs come with a long list of side effects and adverse reactions. Some of the more commonly used narcotics include:

• Methadone
• Opium
• Fentanyl
• Darvocet
• Morphine
• Dilaudid
• Heroine
• Oxycontin
• Lortab
• Norco

With prescription medications, narcotics can cause nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, and fatigue. While illegal drugs can cause similar side effects, the effects from the additives and byproducts used in the making of these drugs can be far worse.

The types of side effects experienced can vary with the type of drug used, the method of ingestion, and the frequency of use. In addition to the side effect potential, narcotics’ effects leave the brain and body wanting more with each successive use. As a person’s tolerance level increases, the potential for drug dependence and addiction increases substantially.

Withdrawal Effects

For long-term users, the effects become most apparent whenever a person tries to stop using. Withdrawal effects can happen as soon as 12 hours after the last drug dose is taken. As narcotics damage brain and body functions, withdrawal is the result of the body trying to repair itself. In effect, the body has become dependent on the effects and must “re-learn” how to function without the drug in the system.

Withdrawal effects can vary from person to person. Drug type, usage rates, and method of ingestion also determine the types of effects a person will experience. Some of the most likely adverse side effects to occur include:

• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Sweating
• Muscle aches
• Abdominal cramping
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils

Increased Risk of Overdose and Death

One of the most serious dangers associated with narcotic use is the risk of overdose, which can happen when too much of a drug overwhelms the body’s ability to function normally. Opioid drugs slow breathing and heart rate. In high doses, this effect can become life-threatening, leading to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or death.

Overdose risk increases significantly when narcotics are mixed with other substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or additional opioids. Reduced tolerance after a period of abstinence—such as following detox or incarceration—can also make a previously tolerated dose deadly.

Because of these factors, even occasional misuse carries substantial risk, especially with potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which can be dozens of times stronger than morphine.

Recognizing the signs of overdose quickly can save a life. Common warning signs include slowed or stopped breathing, bluish lips or fingertips, loss of consciousness, and an inability to wake the person. Immediate medical attention is critical in these situations, as timely treatment with medications like naloxone can reverse opioid effects and restore breathing.

Health Problems

Narcotics’ effects on the overall health of the body cause ongoing damage the longer a person uses them. IV users in particular stand to develop collapsed veins and eventual infections beneath the skin. These infections can move through the bloodstream and invade other areas of the body, such as the heart and lungs. When this happens, a person may develop serious respiratory and cardiac conditions.

Ongoing narcotic use in general greatly reduces a person’s appetite, leading to poor dietary habits. This, in turn, weakens the body’s immune system, making it more vulnerable to sickness and disease. Long-term narcotic use also takes a tremendous toll on the liver and kidneys. Liver and kidney damage lead to toxins accumulating throughout the body. This further contributes to the likelihood of getting sick and developing chronic disease conditions.