When people abuse drugs, the effects are often detrimental to their health. One of the best ways to prevent the negative effects of narcotics, stimulants, and other depressants is through education. By understanding how drugs affect the body and what type of response they produce, you can ensure that you avoid the dangerous aspects of drug use.
When administered under a physician’s care and guidance, drugs can be a powerful tool to promote health and well-being. The danger of abuse, however, makes all drug use risky, as there is always the possibility of becoming dependent. Recognizing the warning signs of drugs and having a general understanding of their benefits as well as their addictive qualities can ensure that people only use drugs responsibly and under the advice of a physician.
Effects of Narcotics
Narcotics are one of the most powerful drugs known to man. They are painkillers that derive from the opiate family and occur naturally from the opium poppy plant. While narcotics have been invaluable in the medical field and have helped many people reduce the amount of pain experienced during catastrophic situations, they are also highly addictive. The same medications responsible for numbing pain in a patient with third-degree burns or who has undergone major surgery also contribute to some of the world’s most devastating addiction cases. Examples of opiates or narcotics include morphine, opium, codeine, and thebaine.
Additionally, many opiate-based synthetic or derivative drugs are also narcotics. These include, but are not limited to, heroin, Oxycodone and its derivatives (Oxycontin, Roxicodone, Percocet, and Percodan), Naloxone, Buprenorphine, Fentanyl, Methadone, and Butorphanol. Narcotics change brain chemistry and result in a person becoming physically and emotionally dependent upon the drugs. The risk of addiction is high with all of these medications, even when a health care professional prescribes them.
The effects of narcotics affect the body in many ways. Primarily, they reduce pain in the body and release a sense of euphoria or an altered and heightened state of well-being. They also promote sleepiness, and someone may become so lethargic that it is hard to wake them. People under the influence of narcotics often lose their appetite and experience gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Narcotics also promote confusion. Those who use narcotics on a long-term basis may develop brain disorders as well as speech difficulties. Seizures may occur, and the drug causes a decreased heart rate.
Stimulants
Unlike the effects of narcotics, stimulants are a class of drugs that increase heart rate and blood pressure and produce energy within the body. They also create a sense of awareness or alertness in the body and help some people focus better. Stimulants can help keep people awake when tired. Some stimulants target a certain part of the body or major organ. For example, some stimulants affect the brain only, while others may target the heart. While health care providers prescribe stimulants to target and treat certain health conditions, they can be very dangerous when taken on the street or illegally.
Some medical uses of stimulants include treating asthma, narcolepsy, and ADHD. On the street, stimulants are often referred to as “speed” or “uppers.” While cocaine and crack are classified as narcotics by law enforcement officers, their chemical structures define them as stimulants. Other stimulants include Ritalin, amphetamines, Ecstasy, base, ice, methamphetamines, dexamphetamine, and methylphenidate. Caffeine is the most common legal stimulant in the United States.
Depressants
Depressants are often referred to as “downers,” as they slow the body’s functioning systems down. They literally depress or slow down the central nervous system, producing a quieting or relaxing effect. While heroin and opioids are classified as narcotics, they are also central nervous system depressants. One of the most widely used depressants is alcohol.
Depressants are addictive, and those who take them to achieve a relaxed sensation will build up a tolerance. This means that the user will need more of the drug to achieve the same results. This increases the risk of overdose and keeps a person relying upon the drug or alcohol to maintain normalcy. Depressants, like other drugs, change brain chemistry, causing a person to become physically reliant on the substance. Other examples of depressants include valium, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), and Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
Treatment at Morningside
If you or someone you love struggles with narcotics, depressants, or stimulants addiction, then call us today to find help. We offer a variety of addiction treatment services, including:
- Cocaine addiction rehab
- Heroin addiction treatment
- Kratom addiction treatment
- OxyContin addiction treatment
- Prescription drug addiction treatment
To find out how you can get help from our facility and enroll in one of our programs, call us today at 855-631-2135. Don’t let the effects of narcotics destroy your mind, body, and life.
