Respiratory Issues Caused by Addiction

There are many scary symptoms of addiction, but respiratory issues are some of the most dangerous. For people using drugs or alcohol, problems like slowed breathing can be subtle at first but deadly if ignored. Some substances irritate your lungs, while others slow down your nervous system, directly affecting your breathing ability. Whatever the case, changes in your breathing should never be brushed off, especially if you’re also experiencing anxiety or withdrawal or are using multiple substances at once. Understanding how drug and alcohol addiction can cause respiratory issues can help prevent permanent damage and even save your life.

respiratory-lungs

What is meant by “respiratory issues”?

Respiratory issues are problems that affect one’s ability to breathe normally. Breathing is something we do automatically, but it depends on many systems working together. These include the lungs, which bring in oxygen; the heart, which pumps it around; and the brain, which controls the rhythm.

When anything disrupts that process, it can cause changes in how you breathe or how your body feels. These changes can be temporary or chronic if the cause isn’t addressed. Symptoms of respiratory issues vary, but they can include:

Shortness of breath
A tight chest
A constant cough
Wheezing
Shallow breathing that leaves you feeling constantly tired

These respiratory issues can range from mild to life-threatening. In some cases, you may feel a little breathlessness when you exercise. In others, it can lead to full respiratory failure if your lungs can’t do their job. Whether it’s due to illness, injury or external factors like alcohol or drug addiction, breathing problems should never be ignored.

How does addiction cause respiratory issues?

Different substances affect your breathing in different ways, but many can cause medical emergencies and put your life at risk. Opioids like heroin, morphine, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers are some of the most dangerous when it comes to respiratory issues. They slow down your brain’s control of breathing and, in high doses or when mixed with other depressants, they can cause your breathing to slow to the point of stopping.

Stimulants like crack cocaine or meth can damage your lung tissue, leading to scarring, wheezing and chronic bronchitis. Likewise, cannabis and synthetic drugs like Spice can trigger lung problems, especially in long-term users and those who smoke or inhale the substances. These respiratory issues are often preceded by escalating coughing, shortness of breath and chronic chest tightness, all of which can be worsened by anxiety or panic attacks during substance abuse and withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines can also cause slowed breathing, especially when you are taking them more prescribed, without a doctor’s supervision or in combination with other drugs or alcohol. If you have ever found yourself nodding off or gasping awake after benzodiazepine use, your breathing may already be dangerously affected.

What are some common respiratory issues to look out for?

Addiction-related respiratory issues often build up slowly, and the signs can be easy to miss. But if you are regularly using drugs or alcohol, these symptoms should be taken very seriously:

Confusion

Drugs like opioids and even alcohol can slow your breathing so much that your brain stops getting enough oxygen. When that happens, you might feel confused, foggy or forgetful, all of which can be symptoms of opioid overdose.

Rapid heartbeat

If your breathing slows down too much, your heart can try to compensate by speeding up and pumping oxygen around your body more quickly. This increased heart rate is your body trying to stay alive, even when the drugs are working against it. A rapid heartbeat is a symptom that is paid close attention to during the detox phase of rehab treatment because it can escalate quickly and dangerously.

Dry coughing

If you smoke crack cocaine, heroin, meth or cannabis, your lungs can become raw and irritated. A dry cough is often the first sign, but over time, you may start coughing up mucus and, in some cases, blood. These are symptoms of inflammation, scarring or even infections inside your lungs.

Swollen lower extremities

Long-term alcohol use and stimulant abuse can lead to heart strain, making it harder for your body to circulate blood properly. This can cause swelling in your feet, ankles or legs as your heart and lungs come under increasing pressure.

Shortness of breath

Running out of breath during simple activities isn’t normal, but if you’ve been smoking drugs or using stimulants, your lungs may be inflamed or scarred, making even mild movement exhausting.

Chest pain

Chest pain is a major red flag, especially if you have been using stimulants, opioids or alcohol. It could mean your heart or lungs are struggling under the pressure and could be an early symptom of an impending emergency like a heart attack.

Wheezing

If you smoke drugs, wheezing is a sign that your airways are narrowing or damaged. It often sounds like a high-pitched whistling sound when you breathe in or out which means your lungs aren’t working properly.

Fatigue and weight loss

Substances like meth and cocaine can drain your energy and suppress your appetite, while poor lung function makes your body work harder to breathe. If you feel fatigued all the time and you are losing weight, you should get checked out right away.

Difficulty in breathing when lying down

Opioids and alcohol slow your breathing, especially when you lie down. This is a sign that your respiratory system is becoming too weak to keep up, even when you’re resting.

A feeling of drowning, suffocation or intense anxiety

This is common during overdoses or severe withdrawal, especially with depressants like heroin or alcohol. You may feel intense anxiety or like you’re suffocating and it could be a sign that you are at serious risk of complications.

What are the dangers of ignoring respiratory issues?

The longer you ignore respiratory issues, the more dangerous they become. With opioids and alcohol, the most immediate risk is slowed breathing with some people falling asleep and stopping breathing altogether. In fact, many overdose deaths happen not from a massive dose but from a slow decline in oxygen that goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Stimulants, especially when smoked, can leave lasting damage to your lungs and scarring, collapsed airways and chronic infections can all set in while you’re still using. Coughing up blood or waking up gasping are common signs that your lungs are severely inflamed or scarred. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to permanent damage that can result in life-threatening conditions.

Whatever symptoms are affecting you, whether it’s a persistent wheeze, pain in your chest or sudden breathlessness, you should seek medical help before it’s too late.

man-pain-in-respiratory

What should I do if I notice respiratory issues in myself or a loved one?

Breathing should never feel like a struggle and if you’re experiencing respiratory issues because of substance use, don’t wait to see if things get better. At Addiction Helper, we help people find the right addiction treatment so they can start breathing easier and avoid fatal consequences. Contact us today and get the help you need.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I’m still having respiratory issues after addiction treatment?

If you’re still having breathing problems after finishing treatment, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible. Some respiratory issues don’t go away overnight, especially if your lungs are badly damaged by smoking drugs or long-term substance abuse. A medical check-up can help identify if the problem is lingering withdrawal, permanent damage or something else that needs attention.

Will my respiratory issues improve once I successfully undergo addiction treatment?

In many cases, yes. When you stop using substances that are damaging your lungs or slowing your breathing, your body has a chance to heal. While some issues may be permanent, especially if there has been long-term smoking or scarring, many people notice a huge improvement in their breathing during and after treatment. Recovery times can vary but your lungs are built to heal and removing the source of harm gives them that chance.

Are some drugs more likely to impact breathing than others?

Yes, some drugs are particularly hard on your respiratory system. Opioids like heroin, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers can cause slowed breathing, which is the main reason they are so dangerous during overdose. Benzodiazepines and alcohol can also depress your breathing, especially when you mix them with other substances. On the other hand, stimulants like crack cocaine and meth damage the lungs themselves, often through direct exposure when smoked.