Opiates Discussed: |
Opiates are narcotics derived from the opium poppy plant. Some of the most well-known opiates include opium, heroin, fentanyl, morphine, codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone. Opiates in low doses have been included in medicines or have been used in hospitals by those professionally trained to administer them. Opiates in high doses or illegal forms can be highly addictive, and they are sold on the illicit market to those who do not have license to administer them.
There are a variety of street names for opiates, but the ones believed to be most common are included in the following list:
Opium
Opium is the hardened juice from the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy plant. It is a yellowish-brown or brownish-black colored substance that can have a solid or sticky texture. Medical professionals prescribe it for medicinal purposes as a painkiller, and recreationally, it has been abused for its euphoric and calming effects. It can be smoked or eaten. Street names include the following:
- Big O
- Black stuff
- Block
- Gum
- Hop
- Dover’s powder
Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive drug that can come in varying forms, from white powder to a black, tar-like substance. The presence of impurities creates the darker shades. White heroin is the purest and most potent kind although sellers sometimes mix it with things like sugar or powdered milk to create the appearance of purity. Heroin is injected, snorted or smoked. It has no legal medical uses. Street names include the following:
- Dope
- Smack
- H
- Train
- Thunder
- Black tar
- China whitehorse
- Junk
- Antifreeze
- Brown sugar
- Henry
- Horse
- Skag
- Hero
- Hell dust
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful painkilling narcotic that is about 80 percent more potent than morphine. Prescriptions such as Actiq, Duragesic and Sublimaze include fentanyl. Medical practitioners prescribe it to treat patients with severe chronic pain, cancer patients or patients in severe pain who have developed a tolerance to other opiates. Fentanyl is very strong and abuses of this drug especially can be fatal. Street names include the following:
- Apache
- China girl
- China white
- Dance fever
- Friend
- Goodfella
- King ivory
- Murder 8
- TNT
- Tango
- Cash
Things to Consider
Morphine
Morphine is used to treat severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. It is found in the forms of powder, liquid and tablets. Morphine is the primary derivative of opium. It can be inhaled, smoked or swallowed. Street names include the following:
- M
- Miss Emma
- Monkey
- White stuff
- Dreamer
Codeine, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone
Codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone are substances that are used in painkillers. Codeine is a weak narcotic sometimes combined with other medicines. Hydrocodone has been used in medications such as Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab and Tramadol. Oxycodone is a main ingredient in the prescription medication OxyContin. All three are very addictive and commonly used in medical practice. Street names include the following:
Codeine-
- Schoolboy
- Cough syrup
- T-three’s (Tylenol #3 with codeine)
Hydrocodone-
- Vikes
- Viko
- Norco
- Hydro
Oxycodone-
- Ox
- Oxicotten
- Oxycet
We Can Help You Now
Addiction to opiates, whether legal prescription drugs or in illicit forms, affects the addict as well as his or her loved ones. If you or someone you love is addicted to opiates, please know that there is help available. You can call us 24 hours a day at our toll-free helpline for any questions you have about treatment and how to stop using opiates. Our trained admissions coordinators can help you begin a new life apart from opiates.