How the medical profession and FDA classify a drug is going to effect a lot of aspects regarding how people use and sell the drug. What we find on the streets is a common misinterpretation about the word narcotic and how it relates to opioid addiction. If people don’t clearly understand what is a narcotic, they might make a judgment error that leads to severe ramifications. Hopefully, the information we are providing below will serve to clarify precisely what defines a narcotic.
What is a Narcotic?
By formal definition, a narcotic is “any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.”
Depending on who you might be speaking with, a narcotic could mean one of two things. Within the medical profession, experts focus more on the properties of these drugs and what they do. On the streets and with law enforcement, the focus falls more on how people use the drug. For them, a narcotic is a substance that produces the aforementioned effects while people use them for non-medical purposes. That means recreational substance abuse.
Treating Narcotic Substance Abuse
When it comes to addiction, the issue of what is a narcotic is far less significant than the treatment process. Any substance an individual might abuse and become addicted to will require some level of professional treatment.
Depending on the narcotic in question, the treatment process might differ slightly from one narcotic to the next. However, the base process will likely remain the same. Using Crest View Recovery Center’s painkiller addiction treatment center as an example, we want to describe the treatment process.
When a client enters treatment, they will likely go through a vetting process. Addiction treatment professionals will use the vetting process to determine the proper course of treatment. Many narcotics are capable of creating a significant addiction profile. That’s why so many clients need to submit to a detox program. A detox program aims to keep the client safe while they go through opioid withdrawal. Once the client clears withdrawal and eliminates their cravings, they should be able to focus on therapy.
During therapy, the client will work with their counselor(s) to find the root causes of their addiction. It’s going to take open and honest introspection. If successful, then the client will be in a position to develop the right coping skills to target their specific triggers. That’s the key to a lasting recovery.
What We Do at Crest View Recovery Center
In all three of our locations, we strive to help clients overcome their addiction. Our methods are simple. We focus on the overall wellness of each individual, using a combination of reality-based and holistic treatment options. Our high level of success speaks for itself. Here’s a partial list of our treatment options:
- Dual diagnosis treatment with an addiction emphasis
- Trauma therapy
- Holistic options – acupuncture, equine, nutrition, recreational therapy, and yoga
- Intensive outpatient treatment – up to 8 hours a day
- Heavy focus on family therapy programs
Regardless of what is a narcotic, addiction is an addiction. If you are dealing with such a condition, we encourage you to consider getting help at Crest View Recovery Center. Our mission will be to launch you into a full recovery. If you are ready to start, you can call one of our representatives at 8663272505.