Opioid Abuse Linked to Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Opioids such as oxycontin, are usually a common and effective treatment for chronic and acute pain. However, recently, non-medical use of prescription opioids has increased drastically and according to the Susbstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, prescription opioids are the second most frequently used illegal drug in the U.S. New studies led by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found that mood and anxiety disorders are highly associated with non-medical prescription opioid use, such as oxycontin. As the studies have shown, prescription opioids are highly addictive and prolonged use of these opioids can produce neurological changes and physiological dependence. Therefore, many individuals suffering from mood and anxiety disorders such as bipolar, panic disorder, and major depressive disorder are highly likely to abuse opioids. During the researchers studies, they examined the association between individuals with mood and anxiety disorders with non-medical prescription opiod use and opioid disorder.

This new study that opioid abuse could be linked to mood and anxiety disorders, affects humanity and the lives of the future. If the government doesn’t get involved with the abuse of illegal opioids and regulate the amounts people take of opioid drugs, further diseases will emerge and many people may possibly die as a result of this. Especially with the increased use of non-medical prescription drugs, even among adolescents, the association with future psychopathology is in great concern. As Carla Storr, ScD, author of the study and an adjunct professor with the Bloomberg School’s Department of Mental Health says, “ Using opioids, or even withdrawal from opioids, might precipitate anxiety disorders, suggesting that there is a subgroup of people who are vulnerable to future development of anxiety disorders."

I found this article to be very interesting and intriguing even though at times it was confusing. I think that learning about the seriousness of these opioid drugs, that aren’t even mentioned that often, and the effect that they have on people and could have on future lives, is very fascinating. I also found it very interesting that opioids are the second most frequently abused drugs in the U.S. after marijuana because such little is heard about these drugs, and the effect on people is so vital effect that it made this article that much more interesting. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful article, and would love to learn in more depth about why opioids are so addictive.