Opiates are sometimes referred to as narcotics. They are drugs which are commonly known for relieving pain. Sometimes, health practitioners give opioids for the purpose of relieving pain.
This usually comes in handy for those who just had a major surgery, or a recovery from a serious injury. For instance, people who are just recovering from cancer, are those who will be given opioids.
People who use opioids are prone to develop a dependence and hence an addiction. Dependence refers to the withdrawal symptoms which surface when drugs are not taken.
While addiction is referred to as a chronic disease of the brain, which makes a person to compulsively and obsessively seek drugs, irrespective of the fact that they could be harmful.
In the world today, opiate addiction are serious public medical problems. It becomes even shocking to note that, some pregnant women take opioids for the purpose of stepping down the pains which comes with the pre-natal period.
There are a good number of effects associated with opiate addiction. The individual could experience Drowsiness to start with. This is very common among people who are addicted to opiates.
There is also a tendency for the individual to have difficulty in breathing. For those who have breathing problems, this effect could be aggravated.
In addition to this, there is also a chance for constipation and unconsciousness to set in. This implies that, for the latter, it would be difficult for the individual to digest food like before, and this could induce vomiting and a high level of discomfort.
It could get worse, and the person might enter into a coma. At this point, it is advised that the individual is rushed to a medical facility.
Furthermore, tolerance is one of the long-term effects of opiates addiction, but many people are not aware of this.
This is a situation whereby people who are using opioids on a long term, need to increase their doses, so that they can get the same result.
Our bodies are known to adapt to any substance or act which we continually feed it with. People who are addicted to opioids are advised to make it a point of duty to see a health practitioner.