As most people know opiate side effects vary from person to person and depend on if that individual is in fact addicted to opiates or using opiates for a medical reason.  The opiate side effects also depend on amount of opiates that are being taken and how often they are being taken.  When determining what stage of opiate side effects that you are dealing with consider your usage.  In any case, living with an opiate addiction is something that needs to be addressed immediately to avoid future problems in your life and possibly suffering from a deadly side effect.

Short-term Opiate Side Effects (prescription and recreational)

The Short-term opiate side effects go hand-in-hand with both usage choices.  A person will experience these effects in as little as three minutes after consumption and they can last for several hours.  Most all of the Short-term opiate side effects completely leave a person’s system within 24 hours, but their also may be long term damaging opiate side effects if an individual chooses to overuse the drug used.  A few of the most common Short-term opiate side effects consist of

- Nausea
- Slowed, shallow breathing
- Vomiting
- Itching sensations all over the body
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Mood changes
- Increased heart rate
- Euphoria
- Pain management

Long-term Opiate Side Effects (prescription)

When using an opiate prescription you always need to concern yourself with the possible damaging long-term effects to your health.  These effects, like all other opiate side effects are based on how long you use the drugs and to what severity.  If you follow strict guidelines of opiate usage, but you remain on the drugs for several months to several years you may become a victim to the unfortunate long-term opiate side effects of:

- Opiate addiction
- Tolerance build up
- Weakened immune system
- Heart problems
- Arthritis
- Heart valve infections
- Respiratory infections
- Central nervous system hyperactivity
- Chronic constipation
- Hyperalgesia

Long-term Opiate Side Effects (recreational usage)

Recreational usage of opiates is much different than using a drug for a medical condition.  When someone is struggling with an addiction to an opiate, legal or illegal, the individual will usually use large quantities of the drug at one time and suffer from much more severe long term opiate side effects as opposed to someone that chose to use the drugs long term for their medical needs.  A few of the most common long term opiate side effects from recreational usage include:

- Contraction of HIV/AIDS as well as Hepatitis
- Collapsed veins and poor blood circulation
- Liver and kidney damage, cancer or failure
- Chronic depression
- Chronic constipation
- Heart valve infections
- Respiratory depression
- Memory loss
- Financial struggles
- Relationship difficulties
- Sexual dysfunction
- Trouble feeling pleasure without drugs

Withdrawal opiate side effects (prescription and recreational)

No matter how you choose to take opiates you still have a high chance of experiencing withdrawal opiate side effects once you choose to come clean from the drugs.  These withdrawal opiate side effects occur within about an hour after you have quit taking the drugs cold turkey and can remain constant for up to two weeks.  The most commonly experienced withdrawal opiate side effects include, but are not limited to

- Vomiting
- Fever
- Nausea
- Body aches and pains
- Aggression
- Depression
- Constant intense cravings
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Dilated pupils
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Night terrors
- Chills
- Cramps
- Possible seizure (in extreme addiction cases)

Committing To A Recovery Solution

Opiates are going to continue to be prescribed to people throughout America for future generations, but going through treatment for an addiction to opiates is the best way to fully recover so that you can get back to your life without drugs present.  If you or someone that you care for is struggling in every aspect of their life whether they are prescribed opiates or recreationally abusing opiates; getting help for the opiate side effects now through a medical professional is the best way to come clean from your problem.

Author Bio:

Myra Lemmons is a freelance writer who is currently creating content for drug rehabilitation websites.  She strives to educate readers about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and hopes to encourage addicts to seek help from professional addiction rehab facilities. For more information on addiction rehab contact http://www.rehabhelp.com/rehab-addiction.