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Opioids, while they are effective when it comes to treating pain, are known to cause a variety of different side effects and mental health complications. Some of these complications can even cause further health issues and exacerbate the conditions that someone is taking medication to treat. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of all the possible side effects and signs of opioid use. If an opioid causes side effects that interfere with how you communicate and live your life, it might be time to consider stopping or using an alternative medication.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a classification of drugs that include natural or synthetic prescription pain relievers and some illicit substances such as heroin. Medications such as acetaminophen/oxycodone (Percocet), morphine (Kadian), and oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), fentanyl, methadone, pethidine, tramadol and carfentanil, can be categorized as opioids.
Opioid pain relievers are typically prescribed after someone experiences an extreme toothache, an injury, cancer, or a surgery. The chemicals in opioids work by interacting with opioid receptors on the brain and body’s nerve cells to reduce pain. Opioids are very commonly prescribed because of their strong ability to relieve pain and increase relaxation. However, opioids are very easy to misuse and abuse. Many people who take opioids are prone to developing a physical and psychological dependence to the opioid or opioids they use.
Side Effects & Signs of Opioid Use
Since there are many different kinds of opioids that are designed to treat varied types of pain, not one opioid medication is exactly alike. Each type of opioid comes with its own set of symptoms and side effects. But when someone begins to abuse any type of opioid, they might begin to feel and display signs of misuse or abuse. Side effects of opioid use may include:
- Drowsiness
- Mental confusion
- Euphoria
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Overdose
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood changes and swings
Do Opioids Cause Anger?
Yes, opioids can cause anger. When someone misuses an opioid, they are likely to experience mood swings and changes. They can go from feeling a positive mood like elation or joy to a negative mood like hostility or irritability. This type of side effect is especially common for individuals who have pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Opioid use can also lead to higher rates of depression or bipolar disorder because they contribute to symptoms of mental health conditions and mood disorders.
Managing Side Effects of Opioids
People should stop using opioids when they no longer feel bodily pain or if they experience extreme or uncomfortable side effects. However, they should not suddenly stop without a doctor’s permission. Only after they have the sign-off from a doctor should someone start weaning off of this medication. If a person quits taking opioids suddenly, they will be at risk for symptoms of withdrawal like sweating, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, tremors, anxiety, generalized pain, chills, cramps,dilated pupils, restlessness, and intense cravings.
Opioid Abuse & Addiction Treatment
Anyone who uses opioids at a high volume or for an extended period of time has the potential to develop opioid dependence or addiction. Depending on how severely someone misuses opioids, they may require inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment. While receiving treatment for opioid use disorder or abuse, a person is likely to take certain medications like naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine. They may also have access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), which is a widely known effective treatment for individuals with an opioid use disorder. Individuals trying to recover from opioid abuse may also benefit from therapy, counseling, meditation, yoga, and other self-care practices.
To learn more about anger’s association with opioid abuse, contact our team of substance abuse recovery representatives by calling 267.719.8689.
