Risk of Overdose Death
When a person becomes addicted to an opioid, he or she develops increased tolerance to the drug over time. Tolerance may lead an addicted person to take larger amounts of the opioid to get the same effect, or “high.” These larger doses can cause breathing to slow so much that breathing stops, causing a fatal accidental overdose.
- Opioid overdose may cause stupor, coma, decreased breathing, and pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs), all of which can be fatal. Use of illicit, injected opioids such as heroin has also been associated with transmitted diseases, brain problems and muscle damage.
Besides the risk of overdose death, opioid use disorder can significantly disrupt a person’s life.
- Opioid abuse is often associated with drug-related crimes (possession or distribution of drugs, forgery, burglary, robbery, larceny, and/ or receiving stolen goods).
- People who abuse opioids also commonly develop relationship problems with family, friends, and significant others.
- Chronic use of opioids can cause a depressed mood and loss of interest in usual activities and relationships.
- Unemployment and difficulty holding a steady job are also common problems with opioid addiction.
Babu KM, Brent J, Juurlink DN. Prevention of Opioid Overdose N Engl J Med. 2019 Jun 6;380(23):2246-2255.
