A new study from at the University of Queensland found people who are prescribed opioids for pain relief have a higher risk of developing mood disorders such as anxiety.
The study is published in Pain Medicine and was conducted by Janni Leung et al.
There has been a lot of research around addiction to opioids—commonly used in cancer treatment or acute pain—but there is limited understanding of how they affect the development of mood disorders.
In the study, the team systematically reviewed the effects of prescribed opioids on mental health.
They reviewed studies of patients who were prescribed opioids to treat painful physical health conditions, including burns and trauma surgery.
The team compared these samples with individuals who were not using opioids or were prescribed lower dosages.
The results showed that higher doses of prescription opioids might increase the risk of developing depressive, bipolar, and anxiety disorders, particularly with prolonged use.
The link between chronic pain and mental health is complex, as each condition contributes to the other.
Researchers say that over the past two decades the prescription of opioids for pain management has increased.
Research into the influence of opioids on mental health is still in the early stages, and further research is needed to find out how the medication affects different mood disorders.
It is important to understand all risks before prescribing the medication to a patient.
The effects on mental health should be taken into account when prescribing opioids, especially in individuals who are at risk of mood disorders such as anxiety or depression.
The team says it’s incredibly important to understand the role opioids play in the development of these mood disorders to ensure people are receiving the care and treatment they require, without putting them at high risk.
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