When people talk about the opioid crisis, the focus is usually on addiction, overdose, and recovery. However, one of the most overlooked aspects of the conversation is how these substances impact the body, specifically, the heart and lungs.
For example, can opioids cause breathing issues? Are heart problems among the long-term effects of opioids?
The physical damage caused by long-term opioid use can be as devastating as the addiction itself, especially when it goes unnoticed.
While most people understand that opioids are addictive, fewer realize the serious toll they take on vital organs. Breathing becomes slower. Blood flow changes. Oxygen struggles to reach where it’s needed.
Over time, these effects can become life-threatening, even in people who don’t consider themselves “heavy” users.
At Boardwalk Recovery, we’ve seen how important it is to treat not just the addiction, but the harm it causes to the body. Healing isn’t just about quitting. It’s also about helping the body recover from everything it’s been through.
What Do Opioids Do to the Body Over Time?
Opioids attach to certain receptors throughout the brain and nervous system that affect pain, mood, and breathing. In the short term, they can ease discomfort and create a sense of calm or even euphoria.
That’s part of what makes them so powerful, but also so dangerous.
The long-term effects of opioids go far beyond short-term relief. With continued use, the brain starts to rely on the drug just to function normally. This throws off the natural balance of brain chemicals and interferes with important processes like how the body responds to pain, stress, and even breathing.
As the body adjusts, people often need more of the drug to feel the same effect, which is a process known as tolerance. This increases the chances of overdose and long-term health complications.
That’s why opioid addiction treatment needs to address both the psychological and physical damage. At Boardwalk Recovery, treatment plans include not just therapy but support for stabilizing the body and reducing the long-term risks that opioids leave behind.
Opioid Effects on the Respiratory System
One of the most serious dangers of opioid use is how it interferes with breathing.
Opioids slow the central nervous system, including the part of the brain that’s responsible for controlling respiration. When that system is suppressed, breathing can become so slow and shallow that oxygen fails to reach the organs that need it most.
In severe cases, this can lead to opioid-induced hypoxia, which is where the brain is starved of oxygen. Hypoxia can cause permanent brain damage, lead to a coma, or even result in death if not treated right away.
The risk goes up even more when opioids are mixed with other depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines, or when someone unknowingly uses drugs that contain fentanyl.
A common question is whether opioids can still cause breathing issues when they’re prescribed. The answer is yes. Even when used for medical reasons, opioids can slow breathing, especially if they’re taken in high doses or more often than directed.
Signs that something is wrong include very slow or irregular breathing, bluish lips or fingertips, confusion, and difficulty staying awake.
These symptoms are not just side effects. They can signal a medical emergency and should never be ignored. What looks like someone simply nodding off could be life-threatening.
Opioids and Heart Problems
Opioids don’t just affect breathing—they can also put serious strain on the heart. People who use opioids regularly may experience irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), low blood pressure, and even heart failure over time. Infections like endocarditis, which is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, are especially common in people who inject opioids.
These substances slow everything down, including circulation. As a result, oxygen and nutrients don’t move efficiently through the body. When the heart has to work harder to keep up, it becomes more vulnerable to damage.
The danger is even higher when opioids are combined with stimulants like cocaine or meth. These drug combinations push the body in opposite directions, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.
Whether the opioids are taken by prescription or bought on the street, the cardiovascular risks are real and often hidden until something serious happens.
That’s why treatment isn’t just about stopping use. It’s about identifying the damage and helping the body recover before it’s too late.
Overdose and Organ Damage
When someone overdoses on opioids, breathing slows or stops entirely, cutting off the oxygen supply to vital organs.
Without enough oxygen, the brain and heart begin to shut down. The longer this continues, the more likely it is that the damage will become permanent.
Memory loss, impaired thinking, and lung scarring are common after an overdose. The heart may also be weakened by the strain, leading to long-term cardiovascular issues.
While medications like Narcan (naloxone) can reverse an opioid overdose and save lives, they’re not a cure. Many people assume that if someone is revived, the crisis is over, but that’s not always the case.
Some effects may linger for weeks or months, and the risk of another overdose remains high without treatment.
Understanding the possible long-term effects of opioids on the body is one of the reasons why ongoing care is so important. Recovery isn’t just about quitting; it’s about healing from the damage that’s already been done.
Opioid Use and Co-Occurring Conditions
Many people struggling with opioid use also live with mental conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. These issues can make recovery more difficult, and the physical effects of opioid use even more dangerous.
For example, someone with panic disorder may already experience shortness of breath and chest pain. Add opioid withdrawal or respiratory depression into the mix, and their risk of serious complications goes way up. In these cases, the connection between mental and physical health becomes impossible to ignore.
That’s why dual diagnosis treatment is so essential for clients at Boardwalk Recovery. Treating addiction without addressing underlying mental health concerns often leads to relapse or stalled progress. The reverse is also true: therapy is more effective when someone is stable and free from active substance use.
At Boardwalk, clients receive integrated care through a team that understands both sides of the struggle. Whether someone comes in through a referral, a crisis, or their own decision, they’ll find a drug rehab that takes the full picture into account, mind, body, and everything in between.
How Boardwalk Recovery Can Help Repair the Damage
Healing from opioid use goes beyond just quitting the drug. It’s also about giving your body and mind the support they need to recover from everything that came with it.
Boardwalk Recovery is a trusted option for those searching for an intensive outpatient drug rehab in San Diego. Boardwalk offers a level of care that supports both physical healing and long-term emotional growth.
Therapies include EMDR for trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for managing thoughts and emotions, and Motivational Interviewing to strengthen readiness for change.
The program also includes MMA therapy to help process stress through physical movement and ecotherapy to reconnect clients with nature as part of their recovery.
Boardwalk’s treatment plans are built with young adults in mind, especially those dealing with both substance use and mental health challenges. Whether someone is deep in their struggle with opioids or just starting to notice things getting out of control, they’ll find real support here. The team meets each person with respect, understanding, and practical tools to help them take the next step forward.
Detox and Stabilization
For a lot of people, the first step in recovery is getting off opioids safely. If symptoms are intense or the risk of complications is high, starting with detox is crucial. Boardwalk Recovery doesn’t offer detox on-site, but our team partners with reliable detox centers nearby to make sure each person has the support they need during withdrawal.
Once stabilized, clients can transition into ongoing treatment through outpatient care, which may be necessary if more structure is required. From there, the team helps guide clients through a step-down model based on individual progress and needs.
This kind of support helps clients rebuild health and avoid the rollercoaster of stopping and starting treatment. It’s not just about getting clean, it’s about staying connected, stable, and supported every step of the way.
Career, Family, and Aftercare Support
Recovery is easier when your foundation is strong.
At Boardwalk, clients receive career coaching to help them build resumes, practice interviewing skills, learn budgeting techniques, and prepare for life after treatment. These skills reduce stress and increase independence, both of which lower the risk of relapse.
Families are also invited to participate. Through optional family therapy and educational groups, loved ones learn how to best support recovery without enabling and how to heal from the impact of addiction in their own lives. This level of family addiction support can be life-changing for everyone involved.
Once treatment ends, it doesn’t really end. Clients stay connected through addiction aftercare programs, peer support, and alumni activities that help reinforce the progress they’ve made. Whether it’s a weekly check-in or a sober social event, that ongoing connection makes all the difference.
How to Know When It’s Time for Help
It’s easy to brush off the early warning signs of physical damage from opioid use.
Maybe it starts with shortness of breath, fatigue, or chest tightness. These symptoms can be subtle, but they’re often the body’s way of asking for help.
If you’re noticing changes in how your body feels, especially related to breathing, energy, or heart rate, it might be time to consider getting support.
Searching for an addiction treatment center is a first step that doesn’t have to lead straight to inpatient care. Recovery can begin at any stage.
At Boardwalk Recovery, early intervention is just as important as crisis care. Whether you’re just beginning to feel the effects or have already experienced a scare, our outpatient model is designed to meet you where you are—before things get worse.
Start Healing at a San Diego Drug Rehab You Can Trust
Boardwalk Recovery isn’t just a place to get sober. It’s a space where people feel seen, supported, and genuinely cared for. The team combines clinical expertise and real-world experience to provide treatment that feels grounded, personal, and effective.
Boardwalk Recovery sits right in the heart of Pacific Beach, but what really sets us apart is the way it treats the whole person, not just the addiction. The focus isn’t only on getting sober. It’s about helping you build a life that feels stable, fulfilling, and truly your own.
The team blends evidence-based therapy with a flexible, holistic approach that evolves with you. Whether you’re looking for support with opioid use or trying to find an alcohol rehab center in San Diego, you’ll find real care here. This is a place where people are met with respect, not judgment, and where healing happens one step at a time.
Even if things feel like they’ve gone too far, healing is still possible. With the right support, the body can recover, and so can your life. Contact us today.
