Side Effects of Taking Narcotics

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The term narcotic is often used interchangeably with opioid, though they don’t actually mean the same thing. Opioids are a term used in medicine to describe a class of drugs, both prescription and illegal, that act on the opioid receptors in the brain. Narcotic is a broader and less precise term. Medically, it originally referred to drugs that relieve pain and induce sleep. However, in legal and law enforcement contexts, “narcotic” is often used more loosely to describe a wide range of controlled substances, including drugs that aren’t opioids, such as cocaine.

In this article, we will use the term narcotic to describe opioid substances that qualified medical professionals prescribe for pain management.

Narcotics

Narcotics can have very negative side effects for your mental and physical health.

Narcotic drugs are widely used for pain control and can be grouped into three categories:

• Natural: These drugs are derived from the seeds of the poppy plant. Ex: morphine or codeine.
• Semi-synthetic: These substances are made in a lab using natural opioids. Ex: hydrocodone
• Synthetic: These substances are created in a lab without any natural ingredients. Ex: fentanyl

While these medications come in various formulations, the side effects associated with their use are the same.

Individual genetic factors can influence how a person’s body will respond to the effects of these drugs, with some people experiencing more severe side effects than others.

Narcotics work by binding to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and blocking pain signals. They also trigger a large release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This is where the feelings of euphoria come in. Over time, the brain stops producing dopamine, disrupting the reward pathway. For this reason, a person needs to take more of the substance to achieve the desired effects. This is referred to as drug tolerance.

As use continues, the body becomes so accustomed to the presence of these drugs that without them it does not function normally; this is called drug dependence. In some individuals, this dependence progresses to addiction.

Addiction can be described as a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking, substance use or behaviors despite harmful consequences.

Are Narcotic Side Effects Potentially Fatal?

Narcotics are very serious drugs. They are easy to overdose on, and the side effects can be fatal. Each narcotic drug has its own dangers.

Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Individuals who have developed a dependence will experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce or stop taking these substances.

The severity of acute withdrawal syndrome depends on how long a person used and how large the doses were. In other words, the larger the dose, the longer you use it, the worse your symptoms will be.

Common narcotic withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Anxiety, irritability and insomnia
• Muscle aches
• rapid heart rate and an increase in blood pressure
• Sweating, watery eyes and a runny nose
• Goose bumps
• Tremors
• Intense drug cravings

Drug Abuse

As the body becomes increasingly dependent on the effects of narcotics, the risk of misuse grows. What may begin as legitimate use can gradually shift into something more dangerous, making drug abuse a very real and serious consequence.

If you or someone you care about may be struggling, don’t wait for things to get worse. Help is available, and recovery is possible. Reaching out to a healthcare provider, counselor or treatment program today can be the first step toward reclaiming your health and your future.

You can overcome the side effects of narcotics; call  800-934-1582(Sponsored) now to find treatment programs near you!

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