What’s the difference between opiates and hallucinogens? Knowing about the drugs you or a loved one may be addicted to can help you to fight the dependence. In addition, it will give you a healthy respect for what kinds of effects they can have on you and what consequences they can have on your physical body and emotional well-being.

We offer definitions for various types of drugs - from hallucinogens to the anti-anxiety drug, Xanax. Use our descriptions to help explain the nature of your addiction. Xanax, Heroin and Oxycontin are all unique and distinct drugs. Are you struggling with a Xanax addiction? Knowing the difference between these three drugs (and others) will help keep you clean and sober.

Opiates (Oxycontin, Vicodin, Heroin, etc.)
Opiates may contain a high dosage of one particular drug, but are typically a combination of opium and another synthetic drug.

Codeine
Codeine is made from opium that comes from the poppy plant. It is available over the counter in Canada.

Demerol (Meperidine)
It is a high potency painkiller of the opioid type.

Fentanyl
Fentanyl is one of several synthetic opioids available by prescription.

Heroin
Heroin is classified as a Class 1 narcotic by the F.D.A. There is no medical use for it.

Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opiate. It is not picked up as an opiate on the usual urine tests. Therefore, there is a separate test needed for it. If someone is taking methadone but is not taking other opiates, including heroin, their drug screen would be positive for methadone and negative for opiates.

Morphine
Morphine is derived from the poppy plant. A urine test screen readily picks it up.

Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocet
Oxycontin, Percodan and Percocet are all synthetic opiates. They contain the drug Oxycodone. The Percodan form contains aspirin, while Percocet contains acetaminophen.

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