When someone you care about is using opiates, you may find yourself wading through a sea of unfamiliar terms—opiates, opioids, narcotics—and trying to make sense of what it all means. It’s more than just medical jargon. Understanding these distinctions can help you see the bigger picture of what your loved one is facing. At Insight Recovery Center, a clinician-founded and operated addiction treatment center in North Carolina, we believe knowledge is empowering. That’s why we’re breaking this down in clear, compassionate terms—and offering real options, like our opiate recovery program in NC, to help families take the next step forward.
If you’re concerned about someone’s relationship with opiates, don’t wait to get clarity or support. Reach out to our team and start your recovery today.
Opiates vs. opioids vs. narcotics
It’s easy to use these words interchangeably, but they aren’t the same:
- Opiates: Are “opiates” narcotics? These are naturally occurring substances derived from the opium poppy plant. Common opiates include morphine and codeine.
- Opioids: What is the difference between “opiates” and “opioids”? The broader term “opioids” includes “opiates” and also synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs that act on the same brain receptors. Examples include oxycodone and fentanyl.
- Narcotics: Technically, “narcotic” is a legal term used to describe drugs that dull pain and induce sleep. In the United States, the term is often applied to opioids, but it originally referred to any substance with sedative properties—including some that aren’t related to opioids at all.
In a legal setting, “narcotic” can refer to both opioids and illegal drugs like heroin. In a medical context, though, healthcare professionals often use the terms “opioid” and “opiate” more precisely.
What category of drug is opiates?
Opiates fall under the category of central nervous system depressants and are legally classified as Schedule II controlled substances in many cases. This classification reflects two critical realities: these drugs have medical uses, but they also carry a high potential for misuse and dependence.
At Insight Recovery Center, we understand the impact of prescription drug misuse in our communities. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), approximately 16 million people—or 6% of Americans—struggle with prescription medication misuse each year. For some, this challenge escalates further, with around two million individuals, or 12% of those misusing prescription drugs, developing an addiction. These numbers highlight the importance of compassionate, evidence-based care to support those on the path to recovery.
What drugs are considered narcotics?
In the U.S., the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers the following opioids to be narcotics1:
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Codeine
This list covers both prescription drugs and illegal substances. Some are prescribed to help manage pain, but all can be addictive, especially if they’re not used as directed by a doctor.
Understanding the risks of opiates
Even when taken exactly as prescribed, opiates can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Some key risks include:
- Physical dependence: The body adjusts to the drug and needs it to function normally.
- Withdrawal symptoms: When someone stops taking the drug, they may experience nausea, anxiety, sweating, or muscle pain.
- Overdose: Opiates slow breathing and heart rate. In high doses—or when mixed with other depressants—they can be fatal.
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are now the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the nation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).2 Many aren’t even aware they’ve taken fentanyl until it’s too late, as it’s often mixed into counterfeit pills or street drugs.
What should you know about common opiates and opioids?
Understanding the difference between some of the more common medications and substances in this category can be helpful. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Morphine: Natural opiate, often used for severe pain in hospital settings
- Codeine: Used in cough syrups and mild pain medications
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet): Semi-synthetic opioid often prescribed for moderate to severe pain
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin): Similar to oxycodone, commonly prescribed post-surgery
- Fentanyl: Synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine—available legally via patches, but often manufactured illicitly
- Heroin: Illegal opiate made from morphine, typically injected or snorted
Each of these substances interacts with the brain’s reward system, which can make stopping extremely difficult without help.
Why does confusion persist?
The word “narcotic” is often used in the news, law enforcement, and pop culture to describe any drug that’s illegal or dangerous. Unfortunately, this broad use muddles the waters for families trying to understand what their loved one is actually taking.
Our compassionate and knowledgeable staff at Insight Recovery Center takes a different approach—focusing on medical facts, trauma-informed care, and real healing opportunities. We strongly believe in the value of quality over quantity, which is why our partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers personalized, intensive care in a peaceful setting near Asheville.
What to do if someone you love is using opiates
When you’re unsure what substances your loved one is using—or what to call them—it can feel paralyzing. But the most important thing isn’t having the perfect vocabulary. It’s taking that first step toward support and recovery.
Here are a few ways to move forward:
- Start a conversation: Express concern without blame. Use terms like “I’ve noticed” or “I’m worried.”
- Reach out for professional support: A PHP offers structure, medical oversight, and a healing community.
- Educate yourself: Learn more about opioid use from authoritative sources, like the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) or the CDC.
Remember, recovery is possible, and resources are available to help you. With determination and a strong support system, your loved one can overcome opioid addiction and lead a fulfilling life.
Healing starts here: Insight Recovery Center can help
At Insight Recovery Center, we understand how overwhelming it can feel to face addiction, especially when everything about it seems so complicated. If your loved one is struggling with prescription painkillers, heroin, or anything in between, our opiate recovery program in NC is here to offer the structure and compassion they need to heal with dignity.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Let’s take this journey together. Reach out to Insight Recovery Center online or call 828.826.1376 today to talk to someone who truly gets it and learn how we can help support lasting recovery.
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