- In the legal system, narcotics refer to illegal drugs that have a high potential for abuse. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) divides drugs into classifications based on potential for abuse and medical use. These categories are referred to as "Schedules" and range from schedule I to schedule V. The DEA provides specific guidelines regarding controlled substances in the Controlled Substances Act.
- Schedule I controlled substances include drugs that have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, lack accepted safety for use and have a high potential for abuse. Examples include marijuana, heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin and/or psilocyn, peyote or mescaline, MDMA (the active ingredient in "Ecstasy") and various other drugs.
- Schedule II controlled substances include drugs that have a high risk of abuse, but unlike schedule I controlled substances, have accepted medical uses. Examples include cocaine, morphine, oxycontin, opium, methamphetamine and other amphetamine salts, methylphenidate and others. Prescriptions for schedule II narcotics cannot be written with refills in the United States. Prescription drugs from this class include Ritalin, Adderall, Desoxyn and numerous prescription pain relievers.
- Schedule III controlled substances include drugs that have less of a potential for abuse than schedule I or II drugs and have accepted medical uses in the United States. Examples include lysergic acid amide (LSA), a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain species of morning glory seeds, ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic used in veterinary practice and various other depressants and stimulants.
- Schedule IV controlled substances include drugs with less of an abuse potential than schedule I, II or III. Prescriptions for these drugs may be written with refills. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium and Klonopin are included in this class. These medications are frequently used for treating anxiety disorders. Barbituates, such as phenobarbital, are also included in this class. Barbituates are typically used for treating seizure disorders that do not respond to non-narcotic medications.
- Schedule V controlled substances include drugs that have a relatively low potential for abuse and have accepted medical use. Lyrica, a medication used for treating fibromyalgia and other conditions that result in chronic pain, is an example of a schedule V controlled substance. Certain prescription cough medications containing a relatively low amount of codeine are also classified under schedule V.
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