Narcotics Narcotics, or the medical term narcotic, refers to opium and opium derivatives or synthetic substitutes. Narcotics are used medically to relieve intense pain and suppress coughs. Under medical supervision, narcotics are administered orally or by intramuscular injection. Narcotics have a high potential for abuse.
Some narcotics come from the resin that is extracted from the seed of the Asian poppy.
This group of drugs includes opium, morphine, heroin, and codeine. Dependence is likely, whether using large amounts frequently or occasionally over a long period of time. When a person becomes dependent, finding and using the drug often becomes the main focus in life. As more and more of the drug is used over time, larger amounts are needed to get the same effects. This is called tolerance.