Opioids and Mental Health

Opioids and Mental Health Opioids are a group of very strong pain relievers used to relieve pain after a surgery or traumatic injury. They are much more effective than over-the-counter pain relievers, however, they are also highly addictive. People who suffer from mental health conditions are much more likely to become addicted to opioids, making it important to understand the link between opioids and mental health. The Connection Between Addiction to Opioids and Mental Health People with mood and anxiety disorders are twice as likely to use opioids as people without mental health disorders They are also more than three times as likely to misuse their opioid prescriptions Adults with mental health disorders are twice as likely than those without a mental health disorder to take opioids for long periods A 2016 study found that about 10 percent of people who were prescribed opioids developed depression after a month of taking the drugs, and it worsened over time Why are People with Mental Health Disorders More Likely to Become Addicted? There are a number of reasons why individuals with mental health disorders are more likely to become addicted to opioids. One of the major reasons is because they are trying to self-medicate, whether the mental health disorder has been diagnosed or undiagnosed. Opioids bring about a feeling of euphoria, which releases dopamine and makes a person temporarily feel good. However, the major side effects of opioids are anxiety and depression. For s...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Addiction Addiction to Pharmaceuticals Mental Health mental health costs mental health coverage mental illness opiate addiction opiates opioid opioid crisis opioids Source Type: blogs