Exploring the science, risks, and effects of opioid use on mood and mental well-being

HEALTH & WELLNESS – NETNEWSLEDGER – As opioid-related health issues continue to affect communities across Canada — including in Northwestern Ontario — there is growing interest in how these powerful pain-relieving drugs impact not just the body, but also the mind.

A common question raised by patients, families, and health professionals alike is: Do opioids cause depression?

The answer, backed by growing clinical research, is complex. While opioids are prescribed to relieve physical pain, they can also have profound effects on brain chemistry, and in many cases, they may contribute to or worsen depression, especially with long-term use.

🔍 What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription painkillers (like oxycodone, morphine, and hydromorphone) and illegal substances (like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl). These drugs bind to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain and trigger feelings of pleasure or euphoria.

Because of this effect, they are highly addictive, and extended use can result in tolerance, dependence, and serious mental health consequences.

🧠 How Opioids Affect the Brain

While opioids can initially elevate mood by triggering dopamine (the brain’s “feel-good” chemical), over time, their impact on the brain’s reward system can become harmful.

Long-term use often results in:

• Diminished dopamine response, leading to reduced pleasure from normal activities

• Brain chemistry changes that can cause emotional numbness or sadness

• Withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, and deep depression when the drug wears off

This cycle creates what experts call opioid-induced depression — a condition where mood deteriorates as a result of chemical dependency and altered neurobiology.

📊 What Does the Research Say?

Several major studies have found a clear link between prolonged opioid use and depression:

• A 2016 study published in The Annals of Family Medicine found that patients on opioids for longer than 30 days were more likely to develop depression, even when accounting for the pain condition that prompted the prescription.

• A 2020 review in CNS Drugs confirmed that opioid users are at higher risk for both developing depression and having worse outcomes when depression is present.

Importantly, depression can also be a pre-existing factor — meaning people with underlying mental health challenges may be more vulnerable to opioid misuse in the first place.

⚠️ Signs of Opioid-Linked Depression

If you or someone you know is using opioids — legally or otherwise — here are some warning signs of opioid-related depression:

• Loss of interest in daily activities

• Changes in appetite or sleep

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness

• Social withdrawal

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability or increased anxiety

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

These symptoms can emerge during use, in withdrawal, or in recovery, and should be taken seriously.

🩺 What You Can Do

If you suspect that opioids are affecting your mental health, talk to a healthcare provider immediately. Treatment options may include:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with drugs like methadone or Suboxone

• Psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• Tapering plans to reduce and eventually stop opioid use under medical supervision

• Support groups or mental health resources, including crisis lines

📞 Support in Northwestern Ontario

For residents in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, help is available:

• NorWest Community Health Centres: (807) 626-8480

• St. Joseph’s Care Group – Mental Health and Addictions: (807) 343-4300

• Crisis Response Services – 24/7: 1-866-888-8988

• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566

✅ Final Thoughts

Opioids are powerful tools in managing pain, but their use must be approached with caution and awareness of the mental health risks. Depression linked to opioid use is real, treatable, and preventable — but it requires open conversations, medical support, and community understanding.

If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait. Help is out there — and recovery is possible.