Types of Narcotics

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Narcotics include a wide list of potentially addictive drugs. While this group includes many substances, the ones most commonly abused are typically opioid-based drugs, which are known for their severe pain-relieving effects and high risk of dependence.  Narcotics that are most commonly abused include:

• Naturally occurring narcotics such as morphine and opium
• Synthetic narcotics such as Percodan, Demerol and Darvon
• Semi-synthetic narcotics such as heroin, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone

Narcotics is a term frequently used to describe drugs that produce pain-relieving (analgesic) effects, most commonly those derived from or related to opiates.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also uses the term “narcotics” more broadly to refer to certain controlled substances.  The DEA regulates the prescription, use and possession of these drugs to help prevent misuse and addiction. 

DEA Narcotics Include:

• Demerol
• Darvocet
• Codeine
• Darvon
• Dilaudid
• Hydromorphone
• Lorcet
• Lortab
• Oramorph
• Percocet
• PhenaphenTalawin
• Tussionex
• Tylenol w/ Codeine
• Vicodin

Possession of any of these narcotics without a proper prescription or selling these drugs can lead to severe legal consequences, including arrest, as well as jail or prison time.

In some cases, narcotics include more than just opioids or prescription pain medications.

Some additional narcotics include:

Cannabis

A wide variety of prescription medications are considered to be narcotics.

Marijuana, derived from the cannabis plant, is considered a Schedule 1 drug.   Although most Schedule I drugs are heavily regulated and deemed to have a high potential for abuse, as of 2026, marijuana use has been legalized in 24 states and the District of Columbia recreationally. According to the American Journal of Public Health, 62 to 64 million Americans have used marijuana in the last year, making it the most commonly used federally illegal drug in America. 

LSD & Hallucinogenic Drugs

Many psychedelic drugs are also included on the DEA’s list of narcotics.  Some of the most common hallucinogenic drugs include LSD and PCP.  Hallucinogenic drugs alter one’s perception of reality, potentially leading to extreme changes in a user’s mood, which may result in that user becoming a danger to themselves or to others.

Opioids

Opioids are the most widely abused narcotics, including heroin,  certain synthetic compounds and some prescription medications. Although most opioids are used to treat pain, some individuals misuse them for their ability to cause euphoria and feelings of pleasure. 

Opioids List

Opioids are a group of drugs that are synthetically derived from the poppy plant. Most opioids are prescription painkillers that should not be taken wrongly.

Pain Medications

Most people who think of narcotics think of pain medications. Narcotics may be prescribed for the treatment of acute, post-surgical and chronic pain. As well, certain narcotics can be used for a persistent cough or diarrhea. While extremely beneficial for pain management, these drugs carry a high potential for dependence and in some people addiction. 

Narcotics Schedules

The DEA classifies controlled substances into 5 Schedules. These categories reflect the medical use of the drug, the risk of dependence and potential for abuse. The most dangerous narcotics are Schedule I substances, while the least dangerous or those with a minimal chance of abuse are in Schedule 5. All narcotics fall somewhere within this schedule of substances as outlined by the DEA.

The DEA Schedules are as follows:

• Schedule 1 Narcotics – have no accepted medical use and are federally illegal to possess, including marijuana and heroin
• Schedule 2 Narcotics – have a high potential for abuse but may have medical uses. These include cocaine, methadone and fentanyl
• Schedule 3 Narcotics – have a high potential for abuse, not as high as Schedule 1 or 2 substances, but still dangerously high. These include Vicodin & some steroids
• Schedule 4 Narcotics – have a relatively low potential for abuse and contain very limited amounts of narcotics. These include Darvocet, valium and Xanax
• Schedule 5 Narcotics – a low potential for abuse and very limited narcotic quantities. These include Robitussin AC and medications with less than 200mg of codeine

If you or someone you know abuses narcotics, call  800-934-1582(Sponsored) for help finding a treatment program. 

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