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I believe that it depends on the type of opiod being discussed. Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you want to look at it) there is no "generic" opiate/oid functional group, such as diazepine in benzo's, to apply to all the substances that fit the description of a narcotic analgesic. There are phenanthrenens ( morphine and codeine), partially-synthetics (ketones of phenanthrenes, etc), morphinans (levorphanol) piperidines, both a-piperidines (the fentanyls) and p-piperidines (meperidine), the open-chain, or diphenylpropylamines (methadone, propoxyphene), etc, etc

Many of these classes of narcotics only have one thing in common: they bind to mu-receptors.

But as far as stimulation of the endogenous opiod system is concerned, I dont believe there are any long-term problems associated with their use, aside from addiction.

However, there may be secondary long-term effects based on a person's response to a certain narcotic. For instance, a person on methadone for many years may gain weight because of the drug-induced lethargy. This could lead to problems later in life.

Or, a long-time oxycodone may have higher stress and anxiety due to the stimulant effects the drug possesses. This may lead to problems later in life.

I have heard of hearing loss with a few different narcotics, but this may be people confusing otic-toxicity of combo narcotics, not pure opiods.

Yet another idea I heard, just yesterday, came from my chemistry prof. We were discussing the ring-structure of benzene, when he pointed out how poisonous the stuff is, and that it has cancer-causing properties. He then offered his theory that since so many consumables that humans use contain benzene (drug-wise, the majority do. ASA,APAP, MS,etc), that their consumption could lead to cancer.

I had never heard this before, so I am taking it with a grain of salt, but, it does seem plausible.

I am the same way with the oxycodone.  I feel great, painfree, etc, but it is almost like I want to be alone.  I have such a short fuse, for anything.  Be it my girlfriend, the cat playing with its toy, or even my dog staring at me. 

It is the only narcotic I have felt "strung-out" on, and I can only be on it for a few months at a time before swithching to another analgesic, because I start to get weird.  My sleep is affected, which only adds to the poor temperment, and everyday starts to feel like the day after doing psychedelics.  Annoyed, tired, borderline paranoid, while at the same time feeling "good".

I dont know much about the chemical properties of benzene.  All I really know is that it is an organic (carbon-containing) highly flammable liquid, that is added to petroleum products, and is used in other industrial applications.

I am mainly familiar with it's molecular structure, which, if you have every studied chemistry, you would surely recognize it.  It is a cyclohexane (6 sided polygon, cyclo referring to the ring structure).

It has alternating double and single Carbon-Carbon bonds.  So, if you can envision the polygon I am talking about, it is the on with a double bond alternating with a single bond on the inside of the ring structure. If you go to wikipedia, you can see it's structure.  It also has a brief description of it's properties. I would suggest checking it out, and then start typing in various drugs, both OTC and rx, and you will see this ring structure in many of the drugs we commonly ingest.  For instance,morphine, acetaminophen, aspirin, diphenhydramine, all have a benzene ring in their molecular skeleton.

I don't know if the professor's theory is true, or if it is even feasible, but it would be interesting to find out. 

As for certain opiods that can cause localized problems to an organ/organ system, I remember hearing that methadone and it's derivatives (levo-acetylmethadol (LAAM) were linked to an increased cardiac QT-interval (this is measured from the start of the Q wave, until the end of the T wave).  Lengthening or shortening the interval can cause arrhythmia, and in this case, a braycardic arrhythmia.  

I think this was the reason for LAAM being withdrawn from the market, although it could have been hepatoxicity, I cant remember.

I am also not sure if this drug reaction is a primary cause-and effect relationship, or if these instances involve a pre-existing cardiac problem being exacerbated by the drug.

I also know that in patients with poor hepatic or renal functioning, certain narcotics, especially prodrugs and those who undergo extensive 1st pass metabolism can further liver/kidney damage, and decrease elimination of the drug from the body, causing accumulation.  This would include codeine (methylmorphine-->demethylation via CYP2D6-->morphine), morphine(CYP3A4), methadone(CYP2D6+CYP3A4), and others.  Although, this could be said for any drug that is heavily metabolized by liver enzymes, and not just narcotics.

For the most part, opiods are a very safe medication, and there are very few direct correlations between prolonged administration and detrimental problems.  For this reason, it is hard to determine whether the instances of problems due to opiod administration are due to the opiod, or because of an underlying problem.

 Good thread though.  You have piqued my interest, and now I am inclined to do a little research.

Pizz.. Thank a lot for your comments and info! They all add onto and are very interesting at that. The Rumor of Oxycodone linked to cause of diabetes is a bit frightening but very interesting tho it is not confirmed truth or rumor as or yet. Thank you very much for you help :)