In 2024, there were 1,396 drug overdose deaths in Virginia.1 Although the deaths are attributed to a variety of substances, one of the deadliest of these drugs is fentanyl. This opioid is the most powerful one available today, and it has infiltrated even the rural areas of the Old Dominion State, wreaking havoc on too many lives.
If you have noticed a change in a loved one and suspect that they have been living with an opioid use disorder and a mood disorder like depression, help for fentanyl addiction is available at Sobrius. Learn more about this substance use disorder and how it can impact a loved one’s mental health.
Is depression a side effect of opioids?
A common question people have is, “Is depression a side effect of opioids?” The answer is yes, especially when a person has been living with an addiction for a long time. It’s important to understand that fentanyl and other opioids make structural changes to the brain that impact many regions. According to Psychology Today, these regions include:
- Basal ganglia
- Prefrontal cortex
- Extended amygdala
- Hippocampus
- Nucleus accumbens
These regions of the brain control everything from impulsivity to motor function and memory consolidation. If they’re impacted, then all manner of personality changes and mood issues can arise.
Does fentanyl cause depression, then? It can. Aside from the mentioned structural impact the drug can have, fentanyl also damages the brain’s pleasure center. It binds to the opioid receptors in the brain, which diminishes pain and causes euphoria.
Over time, the brain gets used to fentanyl, and it starts “turning off” some of those receptors. This means that this center of the brain is less sensitive, making it very difficult to feel pleasure.
Does fentanyl cause depression, or is depression the trigger?
Conditions that occur at the same time are common, and it’s not always easy to understand whether addiction caused the mental health concern or vice versa. In some cases, the overwhelming symptoms of depression can lead your loved one to rely on substances to help them get relief.
What are the three side effects of fentanyl addiction that can lead to depression?
What are the three side effects of fentanyl addiction that could make depression much more likely in a loved one? One of these is the surge of euphoria that the drug causes. By repeatedly flooding the brain with feel-good chemicals, your loved one may not be able to feel pleasure in anything but fentanyl.
Fentanyl also isolates people, and isolation can quickly impact moods. It causes a surge of cortisol, which is the stress hormone, making it very difficult to go through daily life. That stress, in turn, can make your loved one turn to fentanyl for relief.
One other side effect of fentanyl addiction that can make depression more likely is the withdrawal process. Your loved one’s entire system has been so overrun with the drug that not being able to consume fentanyl will cause a number of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Mood dysregulation is one of them, as is the inability to feel pleasure.
Get your loved one help for fentanyl addiction with dual diagnosis treatment at Sobrius
Seeing a loved one struggling with fentanyl addiction as well as depression can be devastating. These conditions are often inextricably linked, making it essential to treat both at the same time. Sobrius offers dual diagnosis programs to address mental health concerns and addiction.
We provide the chance for your loved one to step away from their daily life and spend time at our Galax location. With our intimate setting and the beauty that the Virginia countryside has to offer, your loved one can feel safe and supported in our program. Enroll in our dual diagnosis program at Sobrius by calling 888.596.6514 or completing our online contact form to get started.
Source:
1. Virginia Department of Health – Drug Overdose and Substance Use Accessed May 9, 2025