Depression and long-term opioid use

Photo credit: danielfoster437 /Foter

• Opioids in the short-term may cause intense pleasure and strong feelings of wellbeing, decreased blood pressure and pain relief
• But a recent study states long-term use (30 days+) increases risk of depression
• The findings are independent of the known contribution of pain to depression
• More research is required to determine which patients are most vulnerable to opioid-related depression
• This expands on Scherrer's previous study of VA patients and opioids 
• The Saint Louis University study was published online Jan. 11 2016 in the Annals of Family Medicine