Historically, the term narcotic referred to psychoactive substances that induced sleep or relieved pain, such as opium and its derivatives. In modern medical use, it typically refers to opioids or narcotic analgesics that act on the central nervous system to relieve pain. In legal contexts, however, “narcotic” is often used broadly to include various controlled substances, including some non-opioid drugs like cocaine or cannabis, leading to confusion. The World Health Organisation recommends using more precise terminology, such as “opioid,” to avoid ambiguity.
Sources: ProjectKnow; Recovery Research Institute; UNODC; HRB