What are narcotic medications?
There seems to be a misconception that a drug is safe if it comes with a prescription. This is not the case, however. Narcotic medications can be extremely addictive, and they must only be prescribed with the utmost care and with a physician’s supervision. People who have a tendency towards addiction should avoid all narcotic medications in most situations.
There are three categories of narcotic medications: opiates or painkillers, stimulants, and benzodiazepines. Opiates include drugs like hydrocodone and oxycodone. Click here to read more about opiates. Stimulants include ADHD medication such as Adderall and Ritalin. And benzodiazepines include drugs like Xanax and Valium. They are typically prescribed for anxiety.
How are narcotic medications used?
Most of the time narcotic medications are ingested in pill form. However, they can also be crushes and then snorted for a quicker effect.
How do narcotic medications affect those who have used them?
To read more about how opiates affect those who use them, please visit our page about heroin and other opiates.
Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin affect people in very similar ways that drugs like crystal meth affect people. In fact, some chemists and physicians say that the chemical compounds in crystal meth and the chemical compounds in drugs like Adderall are extremely similar. Those who have used these drugs may experience:
- unhealthy weight loss and loss of appetite
- insomnia
- increased heart rate
- paranoia
- irritability
Those who have taken benzodiazepines may experience:
- confusion
- fatigue
- impaired thinking
- feelings of euphoria
- slurred speech
- blurred vision
- nausea
- headache
- dizziness
- memory loss
What are the long-term health effects of narcotic medications?
To read more about the long-term health effects of opiates, have a look at our opiate page.
People who use stimulants like Adderall for long periods of time may experience:
- extreme paranoia
- severe depression
- hostility towards self and others
People who use benzodiazepines for long periods of time may experience:
- confusion as well as difficulty thinking
- lack of motivation and lethargy
- difficulty sleeping
- excessive sleepiness or drowsiness
- weight gain
- nausea
- depression
- irritability
- headaches