ABSTRACT
Addiction to opioids is a major health challenge in the world today. A few studies have addressed the effects of these substances and the wrong beliefs surrounding their use. This study was designed to compare plasma lipid peroxidation levels, blood lipids, fasting blood sugar [FBS], and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1C] in opium addicts and non-addict control subjects. This case-control study was conducted on a sample consisting of 64 men. The control group comprised 32 cigarette smokers who were studied by urine morphine strip test. The case group included 32 opium addicts with a history of vaporing addiction 1 g/daily for at least 3 years. Data were analyzed by T-test using SPSS and EP16 statistical software. This study showed no significant difference in FBS, HBA1C, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and lipid peroxidation between case and control groups. The results of this study show that opium addiction has no effects on blood sugar or other CVD risk factors and increases the level of malondialdehyde, an important CVD risk factor