Prescription opioid abuse far exceeds every other type of prescription drugs available in the market or on the street. The consequences of prescription opioid abuse are not limited to the abuser and the following, are 10 consequences you should be aware of.

1. Addiction

Prescription opioid abuse almost inevitably leads to higher consumptions if not stopped immediately. You will no longer have control over the consequences to your brain and body as addiction sets in. In fact, you may even begin to use the drugs intravenously or switch to heroin for an easier and cheaper high.

2. Withdrawals

Trying to stop using opioids after abusing them is difficult. Withdrawals are a result of dependency to the drugs and the buildup of tolerance. Withdrawals are painful, unpleasant, and often the main reason people to continue abusing opioids.

3. Overdose

Opioids slow down breathing and heart rate, sometime to dangerous levels resulting in overdose. If not fatal, the dangers to health can lead to early fatality, hypoxia, brain and vital organ damages.

4. Neglect of Children and Families

According to the Institute of Medicine (US),”Drug abuse leads to reallocation of economic support away from the family; lack of participation in family activities, including caregiving; lack of emotional commitment and support for parents and children; and the inability to provide a reliable and adequate role model for other family members, especially children. This impact on the family affects children’s development, learning, and social relations whether or not actual child abuse and neglect occur.”

5. Financial Hardships

Prescription opioid abuse is costly. Financial hardships occur from having to use the drugs daily, purchasing them on the street, and loss of income from abuse.

6. Diseases and Illnesses

Prescription opioid abuse can lead to high blood pressure and irregular heart rate.

Prescription opioid abusers often share needles and other paraphernalia leading to infections and communicable diseases. Disregard for health, hygiene, and healthy habits can deteriorate health and lead to organ impairments, bodily system dysfunctions, high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, diabetes, and other physical maladies.

7. Psychological Disorders

Frequent intoxications from prescriptions opioid abuse can alter brain function and neuronal circuits leading to mental health disorders and neurological problems. Frequent intoxications and withdrawals can be nerve wracking. Depression, anxiety, cognitive difficulties, suicidal or harmful tendencies are not uncommon.

8. Violence and Crime

Violence and crime have been linked to prescription opioid abuse. On the street, these drugs can be very expensive to the user and profitable to the seller. Violence is often involved in “drug deals gone bad”. In order to obtain the drugs and support the habit some people turn to theft or prostitution as a means.

9. Emotional Instabilities

Emotional instabilities are common consequences of prescription opioid abuse. The person can be obnoxious and giddy one minute, and develop aggression, disrespect, anger, and frustration the next. People around them fell like they are walking on “egg shells”

10. Maladaptive Behaviors

Prescription opioid abuse can lead to many unwanted, unproductive, immoral, or unjust behaviors. Lying to and stealing from friends and family are most common.