Medical Providers:
Dr. Michael Vines, MD
Alex Spritzer, FNP, CARN-AP, PMHNP
Clinical Providers:
Natalie Foster, LPC-S, MS
Last Updated: November 16, 2022
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 10 million Americans misused opioids in 2018. Prolonged addiction can cause lasting harm to both the brain and body.
Opioid addiction is a chronic, long-term disease that can result in serious health complications, as well as social and financial difficulties.
Opioid addiction “is characterized by a powerful, compulsive urge to use opioid drugs, even when they are no longer medically required.” – National Institutes of Health
Addiction is a progressive condition that often becomes apparent to friends or family before the person struggling with it recognizes the problem themselves. Although addiction involves many internal and emotional struggles, there are also noticeable behavioral and physical indicators of substance misuse.
It’s important to remember that not everyone who shows these signs is addicted to opioids or other substances, and not every opioid user will display them. For personalized guidance and support, contact Arizona IOP addiction specialists.
Opioid Addiction May Physically Present As:
Opioid Addiction May Present In Behaviors As:
The American Psychiatric Association outlines 11 key symptoms of opioid addiction, which may include:
Like many addictions, opioid use disorder is diagnosed on a spectrum. Experiencing two to three symptoms indicates a Mild Opioid Use Disorder, four to five symptoms suggest a Moderate Opioid Use Disorder, and six or more symptoms point to a Severe Opioid Use Disorder.
While recognizing the clinical signs of opioid addiction is valuable, only a licensed medical professional can provide a formal diagnosis and guide you toward appropriate treatment options.
The effects of opioid addiction can differ depending on the type of opioid used and the severity of the addiction.
Research has shown that opioid use can cause noticeable size changes in several key regions of the brain—even when taken as prescribed. These alterations can persist for months after a person stops using opioids.
Opioids cause significant changes in brain function, leading to the development of dependence. Over time, frequent use alters the brain’s reward system, encouraging continued use and creating a self-perpetuating cycle of addiction.
With repeated exposure and increasing doses, the brain begins to operate normally only when opioids are present—and abnormally when they are not.
Opioid users are ten times more likely to require inpatient mental health care, and those with a dual diagnosis—meaning a co-occurring mental health disorder—tend to have significantly higher rates of emergency room visits.
While opioids can cause serious changes in brain structure and function, their impact extends beyond the brain. These substances can also disrupt normal bodily processes, leading to a range of harmful physical effects.
Constipation is a common side effect of opioid use, affecting approximately 45% to 90% of individuals who take these medications.
Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting are common side effects of opioid use, affecting roughly 25% of users.
Opioid misuse can lead to a respiratory condition known as hypoxia, which occurs when insufficient oxygen reaches the brain. This lack of oxygen prevents the body’s tissues from functioning properly. Hypoxia can cause serious short- and long-term complications, including permanent brain damage, coma, and even death.
The most severe long-term physical effects of opioid use often arise when individuals transition from taking oral opioids to injecting opioids such as heroin. Studies show that over 80% of people who inject opioids began by using prescribed opioid medications.
One of the most dangerous consequences of opioid abuse, however, is the risk of overdose.
“Opioids account for more deaths than any other medication.”
Opioids significantly raise the risk of death from various causes, including accidents related to impairment, overdose—particularly when combined with benzodiazepines—and infectious diseases contracted through intravenous drug use.
Infectious endocarditis is a serious, life-threatening infection of the heart. Once more common in older adults, it has become increasingly prevalent among younger individuals who use injectable opioids such as heroin.
Each year, nearly 34,000 people receive treatment for this condition, and about 20% die as a result. Survivors often face long-term cardiovascular complications that can impact their overall health and quality of life.
With the rise in injectable opioid use, the risk of bloodborne infections has become a major concern. Over the past decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a 350% increase in new Hepatitis C cases, many of which are directly linked to the ongoing opioid epidemic.
People who have taken too many opioids may exhibit several common signs of an overdose, including:
Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, was developed to help prevent deaths caused by opioid overdoses. This medication can quickly reverse the effects of an overdose and save lives. Typically administered as an injection or nasal spray, Naloxone rapidly binds to the body’s opioid receptors, blocking the effects of opioids already in the system and preventing additional opioids from taking effect after it has been given.
While many signs of heroin use overlap with those of general opioid use, there are also distinct indicators. One of the most recognizable signs is the presence of track marks—visible scars or puncture wounds on the skin caused by repeated needle injections.
Other signs can include:
