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Long-Term Effects of Opiate Abuse

In proper, prescribed doses, opiates can play a very important role in helping people cope with pain. However, when opiates are abused over a long-term period, serious consequences can arise.

  1. What are opiates?

    • Opiates are painkillers, and release from the brain endorphins, a naturally-produced chemical. When endorphins flood the body, resulting in a calming, euphoric feeling. Opiates include heroin, morphine, codeine, and prescription medication such as oxycontin, percocet, and vicodin.

    Dependence

    • The more a person takes opiates, the more tolerance he builds up, which results in larger doses for the euphoric feeling he is seeking. Eventually, long-term users no longer create endorphins naturally, as the brain becomes dependent on the drug to deliver the chemicals to the body.

    Physical health consequences

    • Prolonged opiate use can result in heart infection, liver disease, and pulmonary problems such as pneumonia. Other effects include decreased sex drive, constipation, and infertility. Also, long-term intravenous usage can lead to collapsed veins.

    Poor hygiene

    • The longer a person abuses opiates, the more likely he will be to ignore personal hygiene, which greatly increases the chances of acquiring disease and alienating people close to him.

    Crime, death

    • Ultimately, long-term opiate use can lead to a life of crime for the user to continue supporting her habit, and possibly death, either due to an overdose or to one of the health problems listed above.

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