When we’re in pain, it’s our first response to want to make it go away – and sometimes if that pain becomes too searing, too distracting, or too uncomfortable, we’re willing to do anything to make it go away. Prescription painkillers can make that situation 10 times better – but it does come at a hefty price. The opioid epidemic has shown us just how easy it is to become addicted to these drugs, as they make virtually all our stress and pain disappear. People who find themselves in a predicament of prescription opioid addiction often experience different quality of life (QOL) factors than people who are otherwise addiction-free. Rather than focusing directly on recovery, understanding the impact of prescription opioid addiction on the mind and body while it’s active can help us understand what our loved ones, friends and community members are going through.
Researchers conducted a study to explore this very comparison of QOL between people with opioid addiction and those in the general population. They found that those with opioid addiction experienced much worse physical and mental health compared to otherwise “healthy” individuals. Not only that, but they found several characteristics that were more likely to cause a person to experience worse QOL if they were addicted to prescription opioids:
- Females showed lower mental QOL scores
- Older age was associated with lower physical QOL scores
- Participants with chronic pain scored lower on QOL
- Individuals who also had a substance use disorder (SUD) other than opioid dependence did score worse on QOL than those with only opioid addiction
- Smoking nicotine did seem to reduce QOL
- People who also had major depression disorder found themselves with lower QOL
Quality of life overall is often thought of regarding physical and social functioning, physical and emotional limitations, mental health, general health and bodily pain experienced. A person’s QOL can become greatly reduced when opioid addiction is present, and this is what makes recovery so important. There are a number of resources and support that a person can use to push past their obstacles and find a lifetime of health and happiness. Oftentimes, it’s small steps that can be taken to improve even chronic pain – and it’s all a matter of finding what works best for the individual.
Improve your quality of life today by taking steps towards managing the elements of your life that have been holding you back. Now is the time!
Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit alcohol and drug-addiction treatment center located on the banks of the Cumberland river in Nashville, Tennessee. On a sprawling 177-campus, we are made up of 2 twelve-step immersion campuses, 12 outpatient recovery centers and 4 sober living homes. We believe that each person has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we always put the patient first.
Call us today at 1-800-646-9998 to take the next step towards your happiness and health.
