Opioid Drug Addiction: Long-Term Effects

The short-term impact of opioid addiction presents severe consequences for a person’s mental and physical well-being.

And the long-term effects of prolonged opioid use present significant health effects including withdrawals, risk of overdose, and permanent mental health effects.

In general, a person that uses opioids over a long period of time will experience effects like:

• constipation
• mood swings
• permanent behavior changes
• insomnia
• sexual dysfunction
• itching
• physical withdrawal symptoms (vomiting, shaking, fever)

Long-Term Physical Effects Of Opioid Abuse

People that use opioids may experience damage to the heart and brain due to the changes in blood oxygen and blood pressure. Long-term opioid use may also lead to liver and kidney disorders.

Many people take opioids in ways that can cause long-term physical impact.

The following common opioids are usually ingested by smoking, injecting, snorting, plugging (rectal administration), or swallowing pills/capsules.

Commonly misused opioids:

• codeine
• fentanyl
• morphine
• heroin
• hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)

Long-Term Damage From Opioids By Route Of Administration

Over time, opioids that are ingested through methods meant to fast-track effects can produce uncomfortable and even life-threatening effects.

Damage From Smoking Opioids:

• lung damage
• chronic respiratory issues (labored breathing, asthma)

Damage From Injecting Opioids:

• abscesses
• scars (track marks)
• HIV/AIDS (needle sharing)
• bruising
• hepatitis C (needle sharing)
• severe skin wounds and ulcers (from xylazine-contaminated supply)

Damage From Snorting Opioids:

• deviated septum
• nose bleeds
• lung/sinus infections

Damage From Plugging Opioids:

• diarrhea
• bloody stools
• increased HIV/AIDS risk
• bowel irregularities

Opioid Dependence, Addiction, And Withdrawal

Continuous opioid misuse creates a tolerance — meaning that more of the drug will be needed to achieve the same result and keep withdrawal symptoms from occurring.

This can lead to people searching for more potent opioids, or different formulations that include fentanyl to achieve an expected feeling.

More critically, fentanyl now contaminates a wide range of illicit drugs, including counterfeit pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This means many people are exposed to fentanyl without their knowledge. This makes overdose a risk even for people who have never intentionally used opioids.

A person who has built up a tolerance to opioids will often experience negative symptoms when the drugs are absent from their system. This dependence means that opioid drug use becomes a regular part of their day-to-day life.

Addiction is the psychologically-driven craving for drug use, which can accompany physical dependence and can persist even after a person detoxes from opioid use.

When opioids are absent, a person may experience withdrawal symptoms like:

• shaking
• fever-like symptoms
• nausea
• irritability
• anxiety
• muscle aches and cramping
• intense drug cravings
• insomnia
• runny nose and teary eyes (autonomic symptoms)

Long-Term Effects Of Opioid Abuse On The Brain

Opioids affect a person’s behavior and ability to think clearly and interact with stability after immediate and prolonged use.

However, when opioids are consistently misused, brain chemistry can change.

Chronic opioid misuse can lead to issues like:

• poor response to stress
• increased risk of co-occurring mental health disorders
• depression
• problems with decision-making and behavior
• behavior regulation
• altered pain perception
• anhedonia (difficulty experiencing pleasure)

Getting Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder

Recovery from long-term opioid addiction can help reduce and even reverse some symptoms of prolonged opioid misuse. In general, inpatient treatment will provide the best environment for detox and early-stage recovery.

On a case-by-case basis, outpatient therapy and care management can help ensure a successful rehabilitation recovery.

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are FDA-approved treatments that reduce withdrawal symptoms, curb cravings, and significantly lower overdose risk.

Commonly used MOUD medications include:

• methadone
• buprenorphine
• naltrexone

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff