List of Narcotic Drugs - Opiates & Heroin

The term 'narcotic' is sometimes used in relation with all illegal drugs. In fact narcotics are a specific type of drug that is used relieve pain and induce sleep.

Narcotics are a mix of legal and illegal drugs that include opium and its derivatives- opiates, morphine, heroin and others.

As drugs, both legal and illegal, narcotics are highly addictive, so any prescribed opiate-based medication needs to be taken as instructed and under strict doctors supervision.

The following list of narcotic drugs shows the commonly known legal and illegal 'opioids'.

• Heroin- injected, smoked or snorted, provides a rush or high. Highly addictive with varied short and long term effects.


• Opium- extracted from opium poppies. Used in China and other parts of Asia for centuries it is most often smoked.
  
  Opium is now, most often converted into morphine and its derivatives for medical use, and heroin as a part of the illegal drug trade.

Cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and amphetamines are all illegal drugs, but are not strictly narcotics.

• Oxycodone- medication used for the relief of moderate to severe pain, only available by prescription


• Hydrocodone- medication used for the relief of moderate to severe pain, only available by prescription


• Laudanum- a popular drug in the Victorian era, known as Tincture of Opium, used as a cough suppressant. It is now only available by prescription.


• Diamorphine- legal form of heroin which is a strong analgesic, used for post-surgical and chronic pain releif.


• Morphine- popular analgesic for severe pain relief. It has many medical applications. Is used illicitly and is highly addictive.


• Methadone- substitute for heroin, used as an anti-addictive for those trying to break dependence on opioids. It is also used medically as an analgesic