narcotic or opioid analgesic

other use of term narcotic by law enforcement

Papaver somnifum

naturally occuring opiates

    opium
    morphine
    codeine

semisynthetic opioids

    heroin
    hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
    oxycodone (Percodan)

synthetic opioids

    methadone (Dolophine)
    propoyphene (Darvon)
    mepiridine (Demerol)
    fentanyl (Sublimaze) and similar super-potent synthetics
    designer  analogues

medical uses of opioids

common effects of opioids on behavior

common effects of opioids on body

particular risks associated with non-medical narcotics (e.g. street heroin) and injection route

opioid receptors and most important locations in CNS; type of receptor most strongly linked to analgesia and abuse

endogenous opioids (endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins) and their functions

early US use of narcotics

theories about what motivates compulsive use

withdrawal syndrome

pharmacologically assisted withdrawal
        with methadone
        rapid detox under general anesthesia

methadone maintenance (also LAAM  or buprenophine maintenance)

harm-reduction and benefits of needle programs; maintenance programs

difference between an agonist and an antagonist

uses of narcotic antagonists; examples of antagonists

examples of non-pharmacological treatment approaches

    therapeutic communities
    Narcotics Anonymous