There is no doubt that opioid painkillers have legitimate medical uses in treating and managing severe pain. For example, after a severe injury or major surgery, a prescription for opioid painkillers is reasonable. However, they were never intended for long-term use, even if they have often been prescribed for long periods. Many people with chronic pain believe opioids are the best way to manage it, but that’s usually untrue. Long-term opioid use can lead to abuse, dependency, and addiction.
The Arbor offers professional substance abuse treatment for you or a loved one seeking to break the cycle of opioid use and addiction. Call 844.413.2690 to get started.
Long-Term Effects of Opioid Use
Addiction
Physical dependence and addiction are the most significant risks from prolonged use of opioids, and once you become dependent or addicted, the other side effects are much more likely. Opioids are among the most highly addictive drugs, second only to tobacco. They are so addictive that the Centers for Disease Control now recommends opioid prescriptions be limited to seven days to prevent dependence. Many people have become addicted to opioids by taking them as prescribed following an operation, medical procedure, or wisdom tooth extraction.
Depression
Some evidence suggests prolonged opioid use, even as directed, can increase your risk of depression. One study found that the rate of depression among people on long-term opioid therapy was about 38 percent, compared to a depression rate of about seven percent in the general population. This picture is complicated since many people on long-term opioid therapy will have chronic pain or conditions like cancer, leading to depression. There is also a strong possibility of developing depression due to opioid addiction since addiction often makes people feel ashamed, helpless, and anxious.
Pain
Ironically, opioid painkillers may end up causing more pain. First, there’s a condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia, which can make you more sensitive to pain and even cause pain in places where there was none before. And when you build a tolerance, and especially when you quit opioids, the pain is worse than before since your brain learns to experience normal sensations as being painful.
Health problems
There are several health problems associated with long-term opioid use. For example, about 75 percent of long-term opioid users will experience sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea. This can cause a number of problems, including:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Brain damage from lack of oxygen
Using opioids long-term also increases your risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack. Other problems include low testosterone and sexual dysfunction in men and suppressed immunity, leading to a greater risk of infection.
Overdose
The gravest risk of long-term opioid use is overdose, which can be fatal. People typically assume overdoses only happen to people who are pushing their limits, chasing a high, or using unreliable street drugs. The problem is actually that you build a tolerance to the pain-relieving qualities of opioids much faster than you develop a tolerance to the central nervous system suppression that can stop your breathing. So by increasing your dosage to manage pain, you may be creeping into the danger zone.
Contact Arbor Behavioral Healthcare to learn more about Opioid Use and Its Effects
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare offers an integrative and holistic approach to treating substance abuse and a wide variety of addictions, as well as co-occurring psychological disorders. At The Arbor, our programs are designed to heal the mind, body, and spirit leading to a lifetime of sobriety, health, and wellness. Call 844.413.2690 or reach out online if you or a loved one are ready to break the cycle of opioid addiction and regain your well-being.