A Look At Morphine Addiction

Morphine and Addiction

Morphine is a pain-relieving medication that is only used for severe pain. In most cases, morphine is only administered after an operation to help the patient recover from the procedure, as an instant pain relief medication for someone who has been severely injured and is awaiting treatment, or for those with end-stage cancer to provide relief. Morphine is an opiate-based drug and is highly addictive. It is a purer opiate than Oxycodone or Oxycontin and provides a euphoric feeling similar to heroin. For someone that is battling prescription drug abuse and opiate addiction, morphine quickly becomes a drug of choice. However, people who use morphine quickly build a tolerance to the drug and require higher doses or more frequent usage to retain the high that they desire. This can lead to serious side effects.

Common Side Effects Associated with Morphine Abuse

• Euphoria
• Loss of concentration
• Shallow breathing
• Respiratory failure
• Hallucinations
• Dizziness
• Itchy skin
• Apathy
• Chest pain
• Rapid heartbeat
• Loss of sex drive
• No desire for self-care
• Severe mood changes

Common Signs of Morphine Overdose

• Slowed or slurred speech
• Inability to move limbs
• Shallow breathing leading to respiratory failure
• Extreme drowsiness or sleepiness
• Uncontrolled muscle spasms, especially in the legs
• Elevated blood pressure
• Increased thirst
• Pain in the lower back or side
• Unconsciousness

Morphine works by depressing the nervous system. In an overdose event, people can slip into a coma or stop breathing because their nervous system does not send the signals to the lungs to continue to breathe.

Morphine Addiction

Morphine is a potent medication. Although it is not illegal for medicinal purposes, it is highly regulated because of its addictive nature. People who become addicted to morphine will continue to seek out more and more of the substance so that they can continue the feeling they experience while under the influence of the drug. Morphine addiction is easy to hide at first, which makes it very dangerous. However, it will soon become noticeable as the person can no longer function without being in that euphoric state. Even those who build a tolerance to the drug still find themselves in an apathetic state while under the influence of the drug. Many people that use morphine and cannot find the drug will switch to heroin to get the same effect. This is why it is vital to help a person overcome their addiction to morphine as soon as possible.

Drug Rehabilitation for Morphine Abuse

Anyone who has been trying to manage a morphine addiction will benefit from the services offered at an drug rehab retreat. Drug rehab is the best way to overcome the physical, mental and emotional addiction to this powerful drug. Entering into an addiction recovery center will also allow the substance abuse counselor to address other issues that may be a result of or cause your addiction. Often, poor health, depression, or pain that is not being properly managed are at the root of the addiction. Addressing these issues in conjunction with the physical addiction is the best way to enter into recovery. Overcoming morphine addiction can be a challenge. Morphine, like any opiate-based drug, changes the chemical and physical structure of your brain. For these reasons, the patient may need medically supervised detox. The physical dependence is genuine, and overcoming this dependence requires professional help. The great news is that there are addiction recovery centers that are dedicated to treating opiate addictions. They understand the challenges faced by the program participants, and they are there to help in every way. As you progress through the drug rehabilitation program, you will learn to address the addiction’s physical, emotional, and mental aspects and overcome these challenges. You will address any underlying issues such s depression, anxiety, poor health, or pain issues and work to manage these problems. As you progress, you will also learn new skills to help you in your drug-free life. It may seem impossible now, but you can enter into recovery and take control of your life once again. Morphine does not have to rule your life. The skills that you will learn while you are in the addiction recovery center will help you build a new and fulfilling drug-free life.