What are the short-term and long-term effects of opioids?
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS • POSITIVE — pain relief (analgesia), euphoria, drowsiness, relaxation, cough suppression • NEUTRAL — itching, pupillary constriction, stimulation, sweating • NEGATIVE — difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, reduced respiratory rate, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, anxiety, lethargy, constipation, dysphoria, reduced libido, death, spontaneous abortion LONG-TERM EFFECTS Long-term use of opioids can lead to depression, reduced pain threshold, difficulty concentrating, malnutrition, insomnia, sexual problems, and addiction. As the body becomes accustomed to a specific dosage, the drug will no longer provide the same level of pain relief or euphoria as it once did, and this is called tolerance. Where 20 milligrams of oxycodone might have provided pain relief and euphoria, the user may find himself needing 160 mg, or much, much more. As tolerance grows, the body stops producing its own endorphins, and withdrawal becomes more severe. Injecting opioids carries addit
