What Health Issues Can be Caused by an Opioid Addiction?

The opioid epidemic is a serious concern afflicting all types of people, robbing them of their joy of living, livelihood, and even lives. More than 10 million Americans abuse opioids every year. And in 2019, more than 70,000 Americans died due to a drug overdose, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Many individuals have become trapped in a cycle of opioid dependence. Fortunately, our board-certified nurse practitioner and addiction recovery specialist, Lisa Perna, is here for you every step of the way. We’d love to help you put your opioid use disorder (OUD) in the rearview and enjoy a healthier, happier future. So, if you live near West Bloomfield, Canton, Novi, East Lansing, or Lansing, MI, please get in touch with us at Revival Recovery Center in Brighton, MI. 

What kind of health issues are caused by opioid addiction? 

One of the biggest hurdles for those seeking to conquer opioid addiction is post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). It occurs soon after an individual begins their road to recovery. Once a patient stops taking an opioid or weans themselves by taking less, the following days and weeks can be plagued by various all-encompassing symptoms as the body and brain reset after a period of abuse. 

PAWS can strike often, quickly, and without warning. It can include a gamut of physical, emotional, and mental effects, including mood swings, muscle pain, depression, fatigue, irritability, restlessness, emotional distress, and other debilitating symptoms. As always, we’ll caringly create a treatment plan just for you, which may include various strategies, including support, counseling, and medication-assisted treatments. 

The continued use of opioids can also have detrimental gastrointestinal effects, negatively impacting the digestive system. The most common issues are nausea and opioid-induced constipation, the latter being the most common consequences of taking pain meds, even for those who adhere to prescription doses and avoid abuse. Additionally, these drugs can cause drowsiness or a pervading lethargy that makes users listless and robs them of their former productivity. 

How does opioid use disorder affect one’s life? 

The mental and emotional impacts can be devastating. Addiction causes profound changes to brain processes, especially those controlling the “reward center” that plays an indispensable role in daily happiness and contentment. Opioid abuse can make things seem hopeless, but that’s not the case. We’ll help you regain more favorable brain chemistry and the optimism necessary to thrive in your new, healthier life. 

Altogether, these effects of OUD can have severe consequences on one’s professional life, making it impossible for sufferers to dedicate themselves to academic purposes. It can also derail a promising career and keep one from engaging in healthy habits, such as working out or eating right. There’s a significant interpersonal effect as well, and OUD (along with other addictions) commonly wrecks relationships, whether it’s with one’s family, friends, or significant other. 

A brighter, happier, healthier future awaits 

At Revival Recovery Center, Lisa Perna and the rest of our team can help you do just that: revive and recover. We can help you manage pain and hurdle obstacles in your way through clinically proven therapies that focus on your physical, emotional, and mental wellness. 

There’s no reason to suffer another day when a brighter future is just a call or message away. So, please reach out to us today to find out how we can best serve you. We also warmly welcome you to pay us an in-person visit in Brighton, MI, and discuss your hopes and struggles in a caring, confidential, judgment-free environment.