Morphine Addiction Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

What is Morphine?

Morphine is a prescription painkiller that is especially valuable for treating moderate to severe pain. It is commonly used alongside major surgeries as well as given to patients who suffer from chronic pain.

Like many painkillers, it is an opioid, which unfortunately means that it also presents a risk for addiction when used. Since the drug is incredibly potent, this risk is higher than many modern comparable options, and it is possible for an addiction to form even if a patient is carefully following their doctor’s instructions.

Taken in higher doses, the drug can produce a euphoric high that is often valued in recreational use. By adapting to its effects, users begin to crave the drug, forming an addiction. If that person does not seek the help of medical and clinical professionals, it is extremely difficult to break free from their substance use disorder and face the possibility of overdose.

Alone, a morphine addiction is a devastating problem that can easily destroy a person’s life. However, with the help of an experienced rehab center, those struggling can begin to break the cycle of substance abuse and find a life…recovered.

Please contact our Admissions Specialists now at 855-575-1292 to begin the process of admission and treatment.

Understanding Morphine Addiction

When it comes to prescription painkillers, morphine is perhaps the most recognized and respected name in the business. Still common on the market today, morphine gained prominence by the mid-1800s, as it was believed to be a safer and more effective alternative to another addictive opioid painkiller called opium. As morphine was created by isolating a compound from opium and thus making it purer, its effectiveness rose notably. However, so did its risk for addiction.

Morphine takes its name from Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. This choice was a result of the effects that Friedrich Wilhelm Serturner, the creator of morphine, noticed when he tested the drug on himself. In particular, it was inspired by the cloud of euphoria that the drug put him in, which is sometimes described as an exciting dream-like state. Today, it is this high that makes the drug desirable in recreational use, making it one of the most abused opioids in the nation.

In its most basic form, morphine is a crystalline compound. It can be administered as a pure liquid into the bloodstream, although this is rare outside of hospital settings. It is more commonly found as tablets or pills that are marked with their milligram dosage. These were developed as an alternative for patients to take on their own or when a stronger dose of morphine was not immediately needed. Capsules release less morphine into the body at one time, making it significantly safer to use.

When abused, the capsules and pills may be ingested orally, crushed and snorted or dissolved into a liquid for intravenous use. Oftentimes, recreational users choose the latter two means of ingestion, as they help speed up the effects of the drug.

Nicknames and Popular Brand Names for Morphine

With how long morphine has been available, it is no surprise that the chemical compound is now available under a variety of brand names and in other products. All of these can still only be acquired with a prescription, and a list of the most recognizable options include:

• Embeda

• Kadian ER

• Morphabond

• Morphine Sulfate ER

• MS Contin

It is important to keep in mind that when it comes to street names, this list is ever evolving as users seek new ways to avoid detection. Thus, if someone is not using a name that on this list, that does not rule out use, abuse and addiction.

How Addictive is Morphine?

When prescribed for pain, a patient is usually instructed to take between 15 to 30 mg every four hours, as needed. The exact amount will vary depending on the individual and the type of pain, but regardless it is extremely important to follow those guidelines. This is not just to have to the best chance for avoiding addiction, but also because the potency of morphine makes it easy to accidentally overdose on.

A dependence forms when a person’s body adapts itself to manage the effects of the drug, specifically the large number of endorphins the body releases to create the euphoric high. This initially overwhelms the body, but with repeated use the body builds a tolerance to the drug, requiring greater amounts to produce the same effect. Eventually, this leads to the point where the body loses its ability to function normally without morphine in its system. Here, an official dependence has been created.

A morphine addiction does not just alter the body, it also changes the way the brain operates, making it a difficult substance to quit using. Here, the overabundance of endorphins progressively retrains the brain to desire more. When you pair this with dependency, drug use becomes instinctual rather than a conscious act.

For all these reasons, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies morphine as a Schedule II controlled substance. Being listed in this category means that the drug is recognized for having important medical value but should be treated with great caution because it presents a significant risk for addiction.

Symptoms of Morphine Abuse

To recognize when a person is abusing morphine, it is useful to know the symptoms associated with the drug. This is because in many cases, a user will attempt to hide their addiction out of shame, fear or simply a desire to continue using. The symptoms of use are not only physical and psychological, but also behavioral. With long-term use, some effects that can even cause permanent damage.

Some behavioral changes to watch out for are:

• Lying about drug use

• Hiding pills (often in mint tins or candy containers)

• Crushing pills or taking them in ways other than intended

• Stealing to cover costs

• Switching doctors or visiting multiple doctors at once for the same condition

• Mixing morphine with alcohol or other substances

• Losing interest in old hobbies

• Neglecting responsibilities such as a job or family

Common physical and psychological symptoms include:

Demographics and Statistics of Morphine Addiction

Learning some of the demographics and statistics of morphine use can be a valuable way to better understand its impact on society and the risks that come with taking the drug. This can also potentially help to identify addicts by making people more aware about how widespread abuse is.

Some of the statistics that can be valuable for this are:

• Morphine is a gateway drug to illegal opioids like heroin

• For most common tests, morphine can be detected in a person’s system for 2-3 days

• Hair testing can identify morphine use after several months

• According the CDC, around 60 people die from opioid pain medications like morphine every day

• More than 60% of morphine users acquire the drug from friends or family

• Most people who develop a substance use disorder will not seek treatment

Treatment for Morphine Addiction

Once a dependence has formed, breaking away from a morphine addiction is an extremely difficult task. Nevertheless, with the proper treatment from a reputable and licensed rehab facility, a morphine user can find freedom from addiction and rebuild their lives.

Since morphine is a highly addictive drug, the most effective strategy for treatment involves inpatient care, where the individual resides on-site for an allotted period of time. Most often, an addict’s environment and surroundings can negatively influence their addiction, thus it is best to remove them from those triggers for the best chance of recovery.

Once a patient has entered treatment, they typically begin with a process known as detoxification. Here, all addictive substances are carefully removed from the body, under the supervision of medical professionals. As withdrawal symptoms and other possible health concerns may crop up, it is imperative to seek the help of licensed experts to mitigate any potentially harmful side effects. To help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal, physicians and nursing staff will utilize various interventions, including medication if appropriate.

Once a patient has successfully completed detoxification, they can transition into residential care. Here, they will begin to work closely with their primary counselor to address underlying causes of their addiction, as well as negative thinking and behavioral patterns that influence their disease. Clinicians utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities throughout residential treatment including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, holistic treatment, family education, recreational therapy, as well as many others.

Before a patient leave inpatient treatment, they will have a customized aftercare plan tailored to fit their needs and circumstances. This can include additional therapy, introduction into local 12-Step support groups, vocational support and co-occurring disorder treatment. A comprehensive aftercare plan is essential to long-term recovery success, as it provides the patient with the necessary tools for a life outside of rehab.

Get Help Today for Your Morphine Addiction

Are you or someone you know struggling with an addiction to morphine or other substances? If so, you have come to the right place!

At Brookdale, we will provide you and your loved ones with the necessary tools and guidance to break free from the bonds of addiction and begin healing physically, mentally and spiritually. Our team of trusted professionals have the experience it takes to help guide you on the path of a life…recovered, and we are only one phone call away!

Don’t wait any longer! Contact us NOW at 855-575-1292 to begin the admissions and treatment process.