Explain the effects and side effects of narcotic drugs

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

?The most commonly used narcotic drugs in the United States are the opiates (such as opium, heroin, and morphine). The term narcotic means "sleep inducing." In actuality, drugs classified as narcotics are more accurately called analgesics, or painkillers. The principal effect produced by narcotic drugs is a feeling of euphoria. The opiates are all derived from the opium poppy, which grows in many countries. Morphine is the main active ingredient of opium.
Opiates affect the central nervous system and produce feelings of tranquility, drowsiness, or euphoria. Overdoses can cause convulsions, coma, and in rare cases, death by respiratory failure. All opiates are now recognized as highly addictive. Heroin is the most widely abused opiate. In addition to the aforementioned effects, heroin slows the functioning parts of the brain. The user's appetite and sex drive tend to be dulled. Opiate addiction occurs when the user takes the drug regularly for a period of time. Whether addiction will occur depends on the opiate taken, the strength of the dosages, the regularity of use, the characteristics of the user, and the length of time taken. The withdrawal process is very unpleasant. Symptoms include chills, cramps, sweating, nervousness, anxiety, runny eyes and nose, dilated pupils, muscle aches, increased blood pressure, severe cramps, nausea, and fever. Most addicts are obsessed with securing a fix to avoid these severe withdrawal symptoms. Unsanitary injections of heroin may cause hepatitis and other infections. Communal use of needles can spread AIDS. Also, the high cost of maintaining a heroin habit-often more than $100 daily-may create huge financial problems for the user. Because the price of illicit narcotic drugs is so high, organized crime has made huge profits in the smuggling and distribution of these drugs. Often narcotics are diluted with dangerous impurities, which pose serious health hazards for the users.