In the United States, the word "narcotic" is often misused. While the term "narcotics" is often used to refer to any illicit substance, it technically means a substance derived from opium (opiates) or its synthetic replacements (thegooddrugguide.com).

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According to Merriam Webster , A narcotic is a drug (as in opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions.

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Narcotics are also often confused with stimulants, which in many ways are actually the opposite, as stimulants' effects are alertness and activity.

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Examples of narcotics include heroin, morphine and codeine, all of which are highly addictive.

 

Prescription narcotics (opioids) are prescribed as analgesics, to treat pain.