Is Depression Linked to Opiate Addiction?

Opiates are a popular choice of drug due to the fact that they have an anesthetic affect on the brain. If used correctly they are an excellent pain killer but they can have a negative and depressing impact once it becomes habit forming.

Effects

• "Some pain medications, especially opiates, can cause depression" according to www.breastcancer.org. Though opiates have the ability to ease the suffering of those in pain, they can also have a catastrophic effect once you become addicted, particularly during withdrawal.

Causes

• Opiates bond to receptors in the brain which "are normally bound by substances produced by the body called endorphins and enkephalins" (released in order to make a person feel good or relaxed) states www.edrugrehab.com.

Considerations

• Addiction and depression commonly go hand in hand with one another whether the mood disorder or the addiction comes first. "Women often develop the mood disorder first while men frequently develop the addiction first" states Dennis C. Daley, Ph.D.

Impact

• "Children of alcoholics or opiate addicts are at increased risk for substance abuse, conduct problems, anxiety disorders and mood disorders" according to Daley. Opiates affect the addict and the addict's friends and family.

Advice

• If you experience symptoms of sadness, a loss of interest in activities, loss of energy, trouble sleeping, changes in weight, feeling worthless and thoughts of suicide, you should speak to your doctor about depression. Report to your doctor if you are on any opiates so you can be treated properly.