There is an opioid epidemic in the United States. Every day in the country, an average of 130 people die as a result of taking opioids. The sad reality is that many people remain unaware of the dangers because their doctors prescribed the medication to them.
A lot of people assume prescription medication is safe, but the truth of the matter is that some medication can be just as dangerous as consuming an excessive amount of alcohol. You face serious consequences if convicted on any drug charges. Therefore, if you take any kind of prescription painkiller, then you need to know precisely how it impacts your body and mind.
How opiates affect your mental state
Your doctor should go over all the possible side effects of taking prescription drugs before you take them. While opioids affect everyone differently, you need to take them for a while to determine how they affect you. Many people discover they experience drowsiness after taking prescription drugs, and it is extremely dangerous to operate a vehicle while sleepy. You may also notice visual impairment and mental confusion. As a result, a driver may have trouble keeping the car in the right lane. Taking opioids can also result in other poor driving judgment, such as merging when it is not safe. The effects only become worse if the person consumes alcohol or other drugs.
Avoid opiates at all costs
Many doctors prescribe opioids after surgery because the person may experience extreme pain otherwise. However, if you can avoid it, then you should not take opioids at all. You can stick with over-the-counter pain medication to help you manage during this time. A huge problem with opioids is they can quickly lead to addiction. After a doctor stops prescribing medication, instances exist where some patients resort to taking heroin, which provides the same effects as prescription opioids.