Heroin is known to have many adverse effects on the body. That includes its impact on gut health. These effects tend to grow worse over long-term use or in cases of addiction. Therefore, it’s important to be concerned about this side effect and look for treatment options as soon as possible.
Does heroin cause constipation? The answer is yes, it can. Opiates and constipation are commonly interlinked because they slow down the digestive system.
We’ll discuss all the reasons why this happens in the rest of this article and treatment solutions that can help in the short and long term.
Why Heroin and Opiates Cause Constipation
Now that you know that heroin and constipation are linked, you’re probably still wondering, “Why does heroin cause constipation?”
When you take opiates like heroin, it stimulates the opioid receptors in your brain and body. Opiates are depressants, so they slow down the central nervous system and other bodily functions that are affected by opioid receptors.
This can affect gut health and digestion because there are opioid receptors distributed along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Therefore, taking opiates that stimulate those receptors can slow down GI function.
As your body is processing waste and transporting it for elimination, this slowing effect can cause your stool to stay in the GI tract longer.
Part of the GI tract’s function is eliminating moisture from the stool to make it more solid. However, if it stays in the GI tract for too long, it can remove too much moisture and prevent it from leaving the body.
Suddenly, you’re faced with constipation, potential stomach pain, and even bacterial issues in the gut that can crop up down the line if these problems keep happening.
The Impact of Constipation on Health and Well-Being
The negative effects of constipation can take a serious emotional and physical toll. That’s especially the case when it’s ongoing and caused frequently by opioid or opiate use.
One of the biggest negative effects of the stool becoming harder and building up in the GI tract for a long time is it causes excessive straining to push it out. This can lead to effects like:
- Hemorrhoids – Swollen anal veins
- Fissures – Tears around the anus
- Rectal prolapse – A protruding part of the rectum from the anus
- Weakened pelvic floor muscles – Causes urinary or bowel incontinence
Ongoing constipation can also lead to fecal impaction, where part of the stool stays stuck in the rectum. This often requires an enema, stool softeners, or manual removal to treat it.
Plus, constipation can cause serious stomach pain, nutritional deficiencies, and a lot of stress and anxiety.
Other Effects of Heroin Use on Gut Health
Other than opioid-induced constipation, using heroin can have even more negative effects on gut health.
Studies show that opioid-induced dysbiosis is common in those who take opiates like heroin or prescription opioid painkillers. That’s especially the case when these drugs are abused in high doses or taken over a long duration.
Dysbiosis is a condition where your body develops an imbalance of healthy microorganisms and bacteria that regulate gut health. It can lead to infections, irritable bowel disease, and reduced emotional and cognitive function.
It’s generally treatable by stopping opiate or opioid use and taking antibiotics and probiotics. However, if it keeps going for a long time, it can lead to lingering health effects that cause continuous issues. Effects like these are why treating addiction as soon as possible is essential.
How to Relieve Constipation Causes by Heroin or Opiates
When constipation is in the early stages, some simple dietary, lifestyle, or over-the-counter solutions may help relieve it. Those include:
- Dietary changes: Eating more high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains can speed up digestion and make your stool softer. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water and avoid processed foods as much as possible.
- Over-the-counter remedies: Stool softeners and laxatives can be bought over the counter to relieve constipation. However, make sure you use them with caution since they can cause side effects of their own like stomach pain and nausea.
- Physical activity: Some light exercise or increasing your daily activity can help speed up bowel movements. That said, make sure you don’t overdo it since your body is already under a lot of stress due to the side effects of constipation.
If these solutions don’t work, you’re having severe symptoms from constipation, or constipation happens more than once, you should consult a doctor right away. They’ll be able to give you more solutions or treatment options that can help.
Long-Term Solutions: Addressing the Root Cause
Constipation and opioid use can be an ongoing problem until the root cause is addressed. Heroin, other opiates, and opioid painkillers are very addictive, and it can be hard to stop using them on your own.
Fortunately, there are resources available that can help you overcome heroin addiction. Contacting a local treatment center is a great first step toward recovery.
At a treatment center, you’ll be able to get a diagnosis for heroin addiction, and the medical care team will help you create a plan for success, including addressing side effects like continuous constipation.
Common Treatment Options for Heroin Addiction
Medical detox and residential care are common treatment solutions for heroin addiction.
Detox will help eliminate heroin from your system, and you’ll typically notice that side effects like constipation start to go away.
Then, a full residential care program will provide you with therapy, life skill building activities, and help you strategize to maintain long-term sobriety. You’ll have continuous support from friendly staff members throughout the process and a controlled environment that helps you focus on recovery.
Conclusion
Constipation from heroin use is uncomfortable and can lead to serious side effects if it continues. That said, resources are available that can help recover from heroin addiction and treat constipation in the short and long term.
If you or a loved one are struggling with heroin addiction, we’re here to help at Genesis House. We offer medical detox and residential care for alcohol and drug addiction. All our plans are tailored to you, evidence-based, and built to achieve lasting sobriety.
References
- Bueno, L., and J. Fioramonti. “7 Action of Opiates on Gastrointestinal Function.” Baillière’s Clinical Gastroenterology, vol. 2, no. 1, Jan. 1988, pp. 123–139, doi:10.1016/0950-3528(88)90024-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2838107/
- Cleveland Clinic. “Constipation.” Cleveland Clinic, 18 July 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4059-constipation
- Thomas, Karen R., et al. “Pain and Opioid-Induced Gut Microbial Dysbiosis.” Biomedicines, vol. 10, no. 8, 28 July 2022, p. 1815, doi:10.3390/biomedicines10081815. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9404803/
- Mayo Clinic. “Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet.” Mayo Clinic, 4 Nov. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983
- Cleveland Clinic. “Stool Softener: Uses & Side Effects.” Cleveland Clinic, 15 June 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/23274-stool-softener
