What are Opioids?

 

• Opioids are a class of drugs that include opiates naturally derived from the opium poppy such as morphine and codeine.

• Opioids also include synthetic drugs such as oxycodone, and hydrocodone. 

• Opioids are often prescribed for the management of acute pain associated with surgery or injury, and chronic pain associated with illness including cancer.

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Medical Effects of Drug Abuse

• Cardiovascular Effects 

  • Increased blood pressure

  • Cause vasoconstriction

  • Alter electroactivity of the heart

  • Promote cardiac stimulant effect

  • Induce angina; precipitate myocardial infarction

  • Cause a variety of arrhythmias and palpations including sudden cardiac death

  • Contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

• Neurological Effects

  • Memory lapses​

  • Euphoric effects

  • Decision- making or attention problems

  • Seizures

  • Depression

  • Amnesia

• Gastrointestinal Effects 

  • Cocaine that is ingested can cause severe bowel gangrene due to reduced blood flow​.

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

• Kidney Damage

  • Chronic drug use causes toxicity to several organs including the kidney​.

  • Pain medications, alcohol, antibiotics, and illegal drugs can all cause kidney damage if not used properly.

  • Toluene can affect the liver and kidneys severely.

• Liver Damage

  • The liver detoxifies drugs, chemicals, and alcohol that are ingested. ​

  • Changes in liver function due to drug abuse decrease the metabolism of drugs: when not able to break down properly, the drug can maintain at a toxic level. 

  • Chronic abuse of heroin, inhalants, and steroids may cause significant liver damage.

• Musculoskeletal Effects

  • Steroid use during childhood or adolescence can result in artificially high hormone level; bone growth culminates earlier than usual, which results in short stature​.

  • Other drugs may cause severe muscle cramping and overall weakness.

• Respiratory Effects

  • The use of tobacco, marijuana, and inhalants all damage sensitive lung tissue.​

  • A compromised respiratory system can result in a reduced respiration rate, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer.

• Prenatal Effects 

  • Prenatal drug abuse has been associated with:​

    • Miscarriage​

    • Premature birth

    • Low birth weight 

  • Inhalant abuse by expectant women can result in fetal solvent syndrome with abnormalities similar to those occurring in fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD).

• Infections

  • Drug users are at risk for acquiring a large range of infections such as:​

    • abscesses or cellulitis located at injection sites

    • septic arthritis 

    • osteomyelitis 

    • pulmonary tuberculosis (common in crowded living quarters, crack houses, and homeless shelters)

    • infective endocarditis

    • community acquired pneumonia

(Wilkins, 2017, page 1097- 1098)