One of the side effects that opioids have on a person is contracting their pupils. This seems to happen more often with those who use these drugs or have people close enough for them too, as you can see from this photo!
Why Opioids Constrict Your Pupils
Our pupils get larger and smaller to control the amount of light entering our eyes. When it’s dark out, our pupils get larger to allow more light in, and they get smaller to keep light out when it’s bright. Taking opioids constrict your pupils no matter if it’s dark or light out.
There are many factors that determine the size of your pupils. For example, you have sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems which regulate your body accordingly. The “fight or flight” response is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system and causes greater dilatation during emergencies. Your heart rate may also increase due to heightened senses along with an increased amount of blood fluid draining from skin towards vital organs since this would help in case there was a threat around us.
Your parasympathetic system is responsible for most non-emergency body functions, but it can’t do it alone. The sympathetic nervous system balances out these activities by maintaining heart rate and respiratory rates when you are at rest or relaxed.
With opioids, the body’s balance is disrupted. Opioids stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which constricts your pupils. Pain, anxiety, and stress signals are blocked which make sympathetic activity very low. When your body experiences this, your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing may rise to dangerous levels, which can lead to overdose.
Dangers of Opioid Abuse
Opioids are a class of drugs that include both opiates and opioids. Both have been shown to be beneficial in medical treatment but can also lead some people down the path towards addiction when they don’t seek help for their habit.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that drug overdose is the leading cause in unintentional deaths with opiates accounting 70%. If you are struggling with an addiction to opioids, it’s important to seek help as soon possible before something bad happens, like death by accidental OD.
Signs and Symptoms of an Opiate Addiction
Constricted pupils happen as other physical symptoms like nodding off, lack of motivation, bloodshot eyes and sudden weight loss. Here are some physical and psychological signs of opioid addiction to look out for.
Physical signs include:
- Confusion
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Sweating
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness
- Constricted pupils
- Unconsciousness
- Obvious drowsiness
- Overexcitement
- Bradypnea
Psychological symptoms include:
- Social isolation
- Not satisfied with only one doctor’s prescription
- Mood swings
- New financial problems
- Fear
- Persistent falling and staying asleep
Opioid Addiction Treatment
Opiate addiction is an epidemic that affects millions of people around the world. It’s often thought to be impossible for addicts to overcome their habit, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. When you get expert help with counseling and treatment there are many paths forward including a life without opiates
To begin your journey back into sobriety, try one step at first – reach out today!
