Definition
A narcotic is a term that was originally used to describe drugs that are medically used for inducing sleep. However, the term today has negative connotations to it. In a legal context, it is used to describe substances that are prohibited by the law. Possession of substances that are classified as narcotics increases the penalties for violation of drug control statutes. For instance, the penalty for possession of cocaine is greater than that of possession of amphetamines because narcotics are classified as narcotics (Walker & Wood, 2003).
History of narcotics
The word narcotic originates from a Greek word that means stupor. It is believed to have been coined by a Greek physician known as Galen. He used the term to mean a substance that causes paralysis. The term was also used by Hippocrates when he was describing the process of numbing or a numbed state. Galen used poppy juice, commonly known as opium and alters seeds as examples of narcotics. The term narcotic was originally used to describe any substances that induce sleep, relieve pain or cause numbness. The word is now used to refer to any illicit substances or substances that bind to opioid receptors. Opioid receptors are those membrane proteins that are activated by substances such as heroin and morphine (Walker & Wood, 2003).
Pharmacological effects of narcotics
Narcotics have pharmacological effects when delivered to a patient and these effects can be positive or negative. They are known to relieve pain without the patient losing consciousness. This is known as the analgesic effect. Narcotics are commonly used for this purpose. The process through which narcotics work cannot be clearly described although it is believed that analgesia is obtained through the action of chemical substances found in the narcotics on the cerebral cortex. Theyâre also known to raise a patientâs threshold for pain and therefore are used as pain relievers. They produce a soothing and relaxing effect. In addition, they are also used on patients who are terminally ill.
They are also used as antitussive agents. These agents serve to control or prevent a cough. They usually depress the cough center of the brain and as a result, produce the antitussive effect. The antitussive dose is usually lower than the analgesic dose. However, narcotics cannot be used for all types of coughs. Sometimes it is important for the patient to cough in order to expel substances from the lungs.
Narcotics can alter the mood of a patient. Mood changes can be put into two categories: dysphoria and euphoria. Dysphoria is characterized by feelings of anxiety, fidgetiness or being ill at ease while euphoria is characterized by an exaggerated feeling of being well (Glass, 2001).
They also produce effects on the gastrointestinal system. Patients have reported suffering from constipation after being administered narcotics. This is because they reduce the peristaltic movements of the gastrointestinal tract. It is for this effect that they can be used to treat diarrhea. They can also be used to cause nausea and vomiting. This is because they can be used to stimulate the chemoreceptor trigger zone which is located at the base of the brain which in turn produces nausea and vomiting (Glass, 2001).
Narcotics have also been used to reduce the sensitivity of the medullary centers to carbon dioxide in the blood. This in turn causes depression in the respiratory tract and this only takes place under higher doses of narcotics.
Side effects of narcotics
One of the common side effects of narcotics is dizziness and drowsiness. However, these effects decrease as the body gets used to the medication. In order to reduce this effect, medical practitioners advise that patients take the drugs with food.
Nausea and vomiting are other effects of narcotics. It is advised that a change in diet should be observed and eating small amounts of food. Avoiding spicy foods and fatty foods may relieve vomiting and nausea. Headache and fatigue is other side effect of narcotics. However, this effect should diminish with time as the body gets used to the medications (Glass, 2001).
Tolerance and addiction may come as a result of using narcotics. When one uses them over a long period of time, they are likely to develop tolerance and thus may need to use larger amounts of the medication in order to relieve any symptoms of the disease. Constipation is also another side effect of using narcotics. This is because they slow down the gastrointestinal tract (Glass, 2001).
Heroin abuse
Heroin is a highly addictive substance that is illegal in most countries in the world. It is considered to be the most abused substance and is processed from morphine. It usually comes in a white or brownish powder or as a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin (Cobb, 2006). Pure heroin is common but it is mostly âcutâ with other substances such as powdered milk, sugar, etc. most people who abuse this drug do not know the true strength of the drug and therefore end up overdosing and dying. Using the drug also comes with other complications such as HIV which is easily spread through sharing of needles. The heroine is mostly consumed through smoking, injection or sniffing. A heroin user may inject himself/ herself up to four times a day. Some of the long-term effects of heroin include addiction, infection of the heart lining and valves and collapsed veins (Cobb, 2006).
Reference
Cobb, A.B. (2006). Heroin and Your Veins: The Incredibly Disgusting Story. Rosen Publishing Group
Glass, G (2001). Narcotics: Dangerous Painkillers. The Rosen Publishing Group
Walker, P & Wood, E (2003). Narcotics. Lucent Books