The name "Opioids," which is older, refers to substances like medications derived from opium, including morphine itself. Other opioids include endogenous peptides like endorphins, antagonist medications like naloxone, and semi-synthetic and synthetic pharmaceuticals like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Sometimes, the words opiate and narcotic are used interchangeably with the word opioid. Although certain opiates contain semi-synthetic derivatives, opiate is legitimately restricted to the natural alkaloids present in the resin of the opium poppy.
In American law, the phrase "narcotic," which is derived from terms that imply "numbness" or "sleep," refers to cocaine, Opioids, and their parent materials. It is also used amorphously to refer to any unlawful or regulated psychoactive substance. In some places, it is lawful to classify all restricted substances as narcotics. The use of the phrase is typically discouraged where it has negative implications.
