n-a-r-c-o-t-i-c
NARCOTIC is a drug that dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces sleep. In medical contexts, it specifically refers to opioid painkillers.
12
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
NARCOTIC originally meant any drug that induces numbness or stupor. In modern medical terminology, narcotics specifically refer to opioid drugs - natural or synthetic substances that bind to opioid receptors in the brain to relieve pain. These powerful medications have legitimate medical uses but carry significant risks of dependence and addiction. The term encompasses both natural opiates derived from the opium poppy (morphine, codeine) and synthetic opioids (fentanyl, oxycodone). While narcotics are essential for managing severe pain in medical settings, their misuse has created a global public health crisis. Understanding narcotics involves recognizing both their vital therapeutic role and their potential for harm.Key characteristics of narcotics:
The word narcotic has ancient Greek origins, deriving from narkōtikos meaning "making numb" or "benumbing." This comes from narkoun "to make numb" and ultimately from narkē meaning "numbness, stupor." The Greek narkē is also the root of "narcissus," the flower named for its supposed narcotic properties in ancient times. In Greek mythology, Narcissus fell into a stupor gazing at his reflection - connecting the concepts of numbness and the flower. The term entered English through Medieval Latin narcoticus in the 14th century, initially referring to any sleep-inducing substance. By the 19th century, it became associated specifically with opium and its derivatives. The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914 legally codified "narcotic" in American law, though it incorrectly included cocaine (a stimulant) under this classification - a confusion that persists in some legal contexts today.
•The opium poppy has been cultivated for over 5,000 years for its narcotic properties
•Morphine, isolated in 1804, was named after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams
•Endorphins are the body's natural narcotics - "endogenous morphine"
•Naloxone (Narcan) can rapidly reverse narcotic overdoses, saving countless lives
"The surgeon prescribed a narcotic painkiller for the first few days after surgery."
"Strict regulations control the distribution of narcotic medications to prevent misuse."
"The narcotic effects of the medication made it difficult to stay awake during recovery."
Words with similar meaning
Opioid
Modern medical term
Analgesic
Pain reliever
Painkiller
Common term
Opiate
Natural opioids
Words with opposite meaning
Stimulant
Increases activity
Energizer
Boosts energy
Excitant
Causes excitement
Invigorant
Gives strength
Plural Form
narcotics
The narcotics were locked in a safe.
Related Verb
narcotize
To narcotize the patient.
State/Condition
narcosis
A state of narcosis.
Related Terms
Opioid pain medication
Drug that blocks effects
Dangerous excess dose
Shorter words within NARCOTIC:
The modern opioid epidemic represents one of the most devastating public health crises in history. What began with aggressive marketing of prescription narcotics like OxyContin in the 1990s has evolved into a complex crisis involving prescription drugs, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Over 70,000 Americans die annually from opioid overdoses, highlighting the dark side of these powerful medications.
Despite their risks, narcotics remain essential in medicine. For severe acute pain, end-of-life care, and certain chronic conditions, opioids provide relief when other treatments fail. The challenge lies in balancing access for legitimate medical needs while preventing misuse. Modern pain management emphasizes multimodal approaches, using narcotics judiciously as part of comprehensive treatment plans.
Opium use dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, where Sumerians called the poppy plant "joy plant." Throughout history, narcotics have been both medicine and curse - laudanum was a Victorian cure-all, morphine revolutionized battlefield medicine, and heroin was initially marketed as a "non-addictive" morphine substitute. This complex history continues to shape modern attitudes and policies around narcotic use.
Narcotic vs. Drug
Narcotics are specific type of drug
Legal vs. Medical definition
Law may include non-opioids
Narcotic vs. Sedative
Different mechanisms and uses
Other valuable medical and pharmaceutical words in Scrabble
Total base points: 12 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 5
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like NARCOTIC