Difference between revisions of "Narcotic"
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| − | A narcotic is "an agent that causes insensibility or stupor; usually refers to opiods given to relieve pain."<ref>http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/db_alpha.aspx?CdrID=44691</ref> | + | A narcotic is "an agent that causes insensibility or stupor; usually refers to [[opiods]] given to relieve pain."<ref>http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/db_alpha.aspx?CdrID=44691</ref> |
Although in popular usage "narcotic" is often used to refer to most any illegal drug, strictly speaking the term "narcotic" can only be applied to substances that induce "narcosis", or a sleep/dream-like state. Examples include legal drugs such as [[morphine]] and [[codeine]], as well as illegal drugs such as [[heroin]] and [[opium]]. | Although in popular usage "narcotic" is often used to refer to most any illegal drug, strictly speaking the term "narcotic" can only be applied to substances that induce "narcosis", or a sleep/dream-like state. Examples include legal drugs such as [[morphine]] and [[codeine]], as well as illegal drugs such as [[heroin]] and [[opium]]. | ||
Revision as of 18:25, July 17, 2007
A narcotic is "an agent that causes insensibility or stupor; usually refers to opiods given to relieve pain."[1]
Although in popular usage "narcotic" is often used to refer to most any illegal drug, strictly speaking the term "narcotic" can only be applied to substances that induce "narcosis", or a sleep/dream-like state. Examples include legal drugs such as morphine and codeine, as well as illegal drugs such as heroin and opium.