Abusing and consuming illicit opioids can cause a list of related risks, with overdosing being the most crucial concern. However, research has discovered that illegal opioid users are vulnerable to other conditions and illnesses too.
Illicit Opioids Use in the USA
Opioids abuse has destroyed many Americans in different areas over the past 20 years. Early on, terrific over-prescription of opioids as a pain management drug introduced people to an addictive method of treatment. Many people developed addictions to opioids prescriptions, which later turned into illicit opioids abuse.
Illicit alternatives are cheaper, which encourages people to choose them, especially if their doctors refuse to give them prescriptions. The addictive habits produced by these drugs pushes people further for more use. Unfortunately, these behaviors eventually cause death, but researchers are discovering that opioid overdose isn’t the only risk to such people.
The following are the most common dangers of consuming illicit opioids.
Infectious Illnesses
Many people inject illicit opioids intravenously, which creates an open opportunity for spreading infectious diseases. Hepatitis C and HIV diseases have increased tremendously in recent years since intravenous drug use (IDU) became popularized.
Poor hygiene from misuse of needles often causes severe infectious diseases through blood transmission. These diseases mainly affect the homeless community who lack proper knowledge of risks of sharing drugs through injections.
Suicide
Addiction is a psychological health disorder that directly impacts and affects physical health. The biological dependency produced by opioids often initiates unstable mental health problems to the abuser. The social and financial consequences linked with addiction together, with unstable mental health, can create a dangerous mental state that leads to suicide.
A survey of drug abusers recovering from overdose discovered that 39% did not care whether or not they pass away while taking illicit drugs. Additional studies found that people abusing illicit opioids are 40 to 60% more likely of suicidal attempts.
Unintended Injuries
In the overall American population, unexpected injuries are the third leading cause of death. The risks associated with unintentional injuries occur due to drug dependence. For instance, the use of heavy equipment and driving cars both warn people of extreme dangers of operating them while under the influence of drugs.
Opioids are specifically dangerous due to their sedative effects. Usually, illicit opioid abusers, have quick reaction time and impeded coordination. Both these problems increase the chance that a person may end up in injuries.
Older people are particularly at high risk of unintended injuries. An already injury-prone population has high chances of falls and injuries when under the influence of opioids addiction. More often, it is not the direct injuries that lead to death, but the complications that arise from infections while treating the injuries.
Getting Help from Illicit Opioids Abuse
If you or your friend are struggling with opioids addiction, understand that you can get help and support. The overdose risks or other dangerous consequences are too high when you try to solve the addiction conditions by yourself. Usually, there are available professionals trained in rehabilitation and therapy to assist you on your journey towards recovery.
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