consequences of opioid use and abuse?

consequences of opioid

use and abuse?

Taken as prescribed, opioids can
be used to manage pain safely
and effectively. However, when
abused, even a single large dose
can cause severe respiratory
depression and death. Properly
managed, short-term medical
use of opioid analgesics rarely
causes addiction—characterized
by compulsive drug seeking
and use despite serious adverse
consequences. Regular (e.g., several
times a day, for several weeks or
more) or longer term use or abuse
of opioids can lead to physical
dependence and, in some cases,

addiction. Physical dependence
is a normal adaptation to chronic
exposure to a drug and is not the
same as addiction (see text box on
“Dependence vs. Addiction” on
page 3). In either case, withdrawal
symptoms may occur if drug use
is suddenly reduced or stopped.
These symptoms can include
restlessness, muscle and bone pain,
insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold
flashes with goose bumps (“cold
turkey”), and involuntary leg
movements.