Narcotics List

Author: Rachael Nayder, RN

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Narcotics, also known as opioids, are psychoactive compounds that produce pain relief and feelings of euphoria. Some are derived from naturally occurring plants like the opium poppy, others are synthetic or created in the lab and some are a mixture of man-made and organic substances.  Today, narcotics are among the most common and widely known classes of drugs, which include illicit opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers like fentanyl, Vicodin or OxyContin.

Narcotic drug schedules range from Schedule I, which means the substance is illegal, carries a high potential for abuse and has no accepted medical use, to Schedule V, which denotes a lower abuse and addiction potential and has verified medical uses.

While opioid painkillers can be very effective in treating pain, they also produce intense feelings of euphoria, which is why many people abuse these substances. Chronic abuse of narcotics can lead to opioid addiction, a condition characterized by compulsive use regardless of negative consequences.

In this article: 

• Types of Narcotics
• Commonly Known Prescription Narcotics
• Lesser-Known Prescription Narcotics
• Illicit Narcotic Drugs
• How to Get Help if You Are Addicted to Narcotics
• Inpatient vs. Outpatient Narcotic Treatment

Types of Narcotics

Narcotics impact the central nervous system by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals and flooding the body with the feel-good transmitter, dopamine. It is important to remember that although some narcotics are legally available by prescription, others are illicitly produced and sold illegally on the street.  Regardless of whether a narcotic is considered legal or illegal, the use of narcotics comes with some potentially serious health consequences, such as overdose and even death.

Narcotics can be divided into three groups:

• Naturally derived from opium
• Partially synthetic, a combination of naturally-derived substances and man-made substances
• Completely synthetic or man-made

Commonly Known Prescription Narcotics

• Morphine
• Oxycodone
• Tramadol
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Meperidine
• OxyContin
• Oxycet
• Percocet
• Vicodin
• Percodan
• Methadone
• Dilaudid
• Opium
• Norco
• Roxicet

Lesser-Known Prescription Narcotics

• Buprenorphine
• Abstral
• Actiq
• Dolophine
• Butrans
• Demerol
• Dolophine
• Duragesic
• Fentora
• Lorcet
• Levorphanol
• Oxymorphone hydrochloride
• Oncet
• Procet
• Xodol
• Zydone
• Lortab
• Kadian
• Maxidone
• MS Contin
• Palladone
• Percodan
• Reprexain
• TussiCaps
• Zydone
• Xodol
• Vicoprofen
• Vituz
• Vicoden ES
• Vicoden HP
• Oxymorphone hydrochloride
• Opana
• Xartemis XR
• Zolvit
• Tuzistra XR
• Tussionex
• Zutripro

Illicit Narcotic Drugs

Illegal narcotic drugs are substances that are illicitly produced and sold on the streets. These substances are not considered to have any accepted medical use and carry a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Heroin

Heroin is an extremely addictive, illegal narcotic that is synthesized from morphine, the naturally occurring opioid found in the Papaver somniferum, poppy plant. Heroin is illegal and has no known medical use. It is typically sold in a white powder form, but also in a brown powder or a black tar-like substance. Heroin can be smoked, snorted, or dissolved into a liquid and injected.

How to Get Help if You Are Addicted to Narcotics

It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with using a narcotic. If your doctor prescribes you one of these drugs, discuss concerns about addiction and about safer pain management strategies.  If opioids are your only option, you will want to make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

If you are worried that you are addicted to narcotics, help is available to you, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient rehab, a support group like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or medication-assisted treatment. You have options.

One of the first steps toward getting help is understanding what options are available to you. The most effective form of treatment is a formal narcotic addiction treatment program and is available through an inpatient or outpatient rehab program. In addition to treating addiction, these programs can also address any underlying mental health conditions that may have influenced your substance abuse.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Narcotic Treatment

An inpatient treatment program requires that you stay at the facility for the duration of your rehab program. This may be the right choice if you have a moderate to severe addiction, lack a strong support system or have a history of relapse.  One critical benefit of an inpatient program is 24/7 access to support—plus, you can focus on your recovery without distractions or exposure to triggers that you would experience outside of the program.

In outpatient treatment, you do not stay at the facility overnight and have flexibility so you can continue to meet your family, work or school responsibilities. In outpatient treatment centers, you will likely participate in individual and group therapy sessions several times per week. Outpatient treatment is good for individuals with mild to moderate addiction who have a strong support system and no history of relapse.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to narcotics, please know that there is always help available. Please call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to start on your path to recovery today.

Resources

1. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020, April). Narcotics.
2. Vorvick, Linda J. (2019, May 13). Pain medications – narcotics. MedlinePlus.
3. It Matters Colorado. (2021). Opioids: Brand names, generic names & street names. American Society of Addiction Medicine.
4. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020, April). Opium.
5. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021, April 28). Heroin. MedlinePlus.
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction.
7. University of Michigan. (2020, June 29). Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Disorder. Michigan Medicine.

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