Health Effects & Risks of Opioid Use

Addiction is a chronic progressive disease that increases in severity over time. In the early stages, people who use harmful substances experience relatively mild problems. The consequences of their drug use are not significant and they can continue leading almost normal lives. However, with escalating drug use, problems start to develop and worsen as time passes. Some of the consequences of misusing or abusing drugs, including prescription opioids and heroin, include:

• Legal problems including drug-related arrests and jail time
• Inability to perform work duties, which can lead to job loss
• Financial problems due to drug costs, lost time at work, healthcare costs, and legal troubles
• Breakdown of relationships
• Inability to function independently
• Worsening physical health
• Mental health issues, including depression and anxiety

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

People who have developed a physical dependence on opioid drugs almost certainly experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to cut back on drug use or quit cold turkey (suddenly stop using). These opioid withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days to a week or more and may include:

• Muscle and bone pain
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Runny nose
• Yawning
• Uncontrolled movements
• Hot and cold flashes
• Sweating
• Severe drug cravings
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Depression
• Irritability

The appearance of these uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings is one of the key reasons why opioid drug users relapse. Undergoing a medically supervised opioid detoxification at a professional addiction treatment center can help in managing these symptoms and increasing the chances of a successful recovery. ^[1]

Opioid Overdose

By far the most serious risk associated with opioid use is the risk of a fatal overdose. Opioid drugs affect the part of the brain that controls breathing. Taking a high dose of opioids can lead to respiratory depression (slowed or stopped breathing), which can be fatal if it is not treated in time. ^[2]

Symptoms of respiratory depression can be reversed by immediately administering a rescue medication called naloxone which blocks the effects of opioids within 2-3 minutes. First responders carry this medication. It is also available by prescription to people who are at a high risk of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available in two forms – as an auto-injector and a nasal spray. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a 4-mg naloxone nasal spray available over-the-counter. ^[3] If you or a loved one is using opioid drugs, having naloxone available can be life-saving. Naloxone is not harmful if someone is not overdosing or is overdosing on drugs other than opioids. Therefore, it is better to err on the side of caution and use naloxone if you think someone might be overdosing on an opioid drug.

An opioid overdose is a medical emergency. You should call 911 even if you have administered naloxone. Signs and symptoms of an overdose on opioids may include:

• Pale, clammy skin
• Limp body
• Blue or purple fingernails or lips
• Vomiting or gurgling noises
• Unresponsiveness or inability to speak
• Slowed or stopped breathing
• Slowed heartbeat

Risk Factors for Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction develops from a complex combination of environmental and genetic factors. ^[4] Some of the risk factors for opioid addiction include:

• Easy access to prescription opioids, legally or illegally.
• Previous history of substance use disorders.
• Anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric illnesses.
• Abuse or neglect during childhood.
• Personality traits, such as sensation-seeking behavior, poor decision-making, disinhibition, and impulsivity.
• Socioeconomic conditions (living in a poverty-stricken area and associating with others who have opioid addiction).

These external factors can increase a person’s risk of developing an opioid use disorder. In addition, genetics plays a role in the development of substance use disorders. A family history of drug abuse increases a person’s risk of developing an addiction, including opioid addiction. The Harvard Twin Study of Substance Abuse by Tsuang et al. found that genetics makes a moderate contribution to opioid abuse and dependence. ^[5]

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Prescription Opioid Addiction

Prescription opioid medications reduce pain and produce feelings of relaxation and happiness. They have a legitimate medical use and are extremely helpful in managing chronic severe pain. But misusing or abusing these drugs can have many unwanted, even dangerous effects. Some of the side effects of opioid pain pills include:

• Confusion or mental fog
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Slowed breathing

Long-term use of prescription opioids can lead to a variety of health problems, involving the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, immune, endocrine (hormonal), and central nervous systems. ^[6]

The most dangerous effect of opioids is respiratory depression or slowed breathing. This can lead to hypoxia (lack of oxygen supply) in the brain, leading to short- and long-term neurological and psychological effects, including permanent brain damage, coma, and death.

Other adverse effects of opioid abuse and addiction include:

• Physical and mental health problems.
• Failure to meet work or school and family responsibilities.
• Impaired judgment due to drug use, leading to risky behaviors, such as unsafe sex.
• Increased risk of contracting HIV and other infections due to shared drug-injection equipment.

Last updated: March 15, 2024