10 Essential Facts About Opioids: What They Are & How They Affect You

3. Short-Term Effects

There are various short-term effects that opioids can have on an individual’s body, and can affect both their physical and mental well-being. Some of the short-term physical effects of opioid use include drowsiness, constipation, nausea and vomiting, and difficulty breathing, which can also worsen sleep apnea. Male patients may also experience impotence due to using this medication, even for a short period of time. Mental effects of opioid use include experiencing feelings of euphoria or feeling high, as well as headaches, dizziness, and confusion, which can cause an individual to lose their balance and fall, resulting in possible fractures or other injuries. Continue reading to find out what the long-term effects of opioid use can do to the body.

4. Long-Term Effects

The long-term effects of using opioids can also include an increased tolerance to it, substance use disorder or dependence, liver damage, infertility in women, worsening pain also known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in infants born to addicted mothers. Even when opioids are prescribed by a physician for pain management and relief, some of the serious side effects include a physical dependence, substance use disorder, and the possibility for the patient to overdose. Individuals who end up dealing with an opioid dependence problem are likely to experience intense withdrawal symptoms when they lower their dosage quickly or suddenly stop using the medication. If a patient wants to lower their dosage, they should do so with the help of a healthcare provider. Next, discover the various types of opioids that are used for pain relief.