What Is Morphine? 
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November 12, 2019
What Is Morphine?
Morphine is an opioid drug primarily used to control pain. It works by binding to receptors in the brain and spinal cord to reduce pain sensations, in addition to reducing emotional responses to pain. Morphine has one of the highest addiction and abuse rates among similar to other opioid drugs used to treat severe and chronic pain. The drug is available in several forms which include a syrup, tablet or suppository. Morphine can be swallowed, injected, or even smoked depending on what form it is in. Those who use morphine over a period of time are at high risk for developing a psychological or physical dependency. Tolerance levels for morphine can develop fast in its users, and since the drug is relatively inexpensive it is commonly abused. The rates of morphine overdoses are also the highest among opiate drugs. Slang names for morphine includes: Miss Emma, White Stuff, Monkey, Roxanol, Duramorph, or M.
Morphine is responsible for creating a host of opiate substances, like heroin. Those who become dependent on the morphine derived substance must enroll in heroin addiction treatment to overcome their addiction.
Effects of Morphine Abuse and Addiction
Addiction or abuse of morphine can induce a series of detrimental health consequences to one’s mental, physical and emotional health. The short-term effects associated with morphine abuse causes the manifestation of various physical disturbances, and with long-term use physical conditions tend to rapidly deteriorate as the cause further health complications, such as damage to the blood, bones, and brain. Some of the physical effects caused by morphine abuse includes:
- Blurred vision
- Itching
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dryness of the mouth
- Decreased appetite
- Respiratory difficulties
Morphine addiction can also induce a multitude of psychological, emotional and social effects including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Emotional instability
- Isolation and withdrawal from friends and family
- Avoiding social gatherings
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
- Issues in interpersonal relationships
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Morphine Addiction Withdrawal
When morphine is consumed over a long period of time, the body tends to develop a dependency on the drug. The dependency created by morphine can cause a user’s body to believe they need the drug in order to properly function, however this type of dependency makes it more complex to stop using the drug. Morphine withdrawal symptoms generally occur within hours of your last interaction with the drug, and in many cases the symptoms last for a matter of weeks while the body readjusts to func
tioning without the use of morphine. Some of the more common symptoms of withdrawal associated with morphine includes:
- Unstable mood
- Intense stomach aches
- Rapid heartbeat
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Intense muscle aches
- Depression
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Headaches
- Disorientation
- Excessive sweating and chills
Withdrawal from morphine can be best managed under medical supervision and care, health professionals can help avoid any further complications.
Recognizing the Need For Morphine Addiction Treatment
Individuals struggling with a morphine addiction tend to display specific signs and symptoms which imply there’s a drug use problem present. Some users abusing morphine will also use other opiate drugs like codeine and Vicodin. Treating those addictions in addition to one’s morphine use is imperative for making a full recovery, and may include codeine addiction treatment. If you or a loved one are currently dealing with a morphine addiction, it is important to be aware of the more common signs and symptoms indicating the presence of an addiction including:
- Loss of control over drug use
- Unusual rashes all over the body caused by morphine abuse
- Fainting spells
- Seizures
- Bluish tint on of the skin
- Marked drowsiness
- Uncontrollable muscle twitching
- Breathing difficulties
- Using morphine outside of its intended use (recreational use)
- Experiencing health issues as a result of morphine abuse
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when drug use has been reduced or completely stopped
- Lying, cheating, and/or stealing as a means to obtain more morphine
Treatment for Morphine Addiction
A comprehensive treatment plan is vital in targeting a morphine addiction, one which implements the use of both medication and psychotherapeutic approaches, in order to produce the most effective outcome. Naltrexone, which blocks the opioid receptors in the brain and Naloxone, which is capable of countering the effects of morphine overdose, are two of the primary and most effective medications used in morphine addiction treatment. Various forms of psychotherapy have also been found to be effective for their ability to address issues deep rooted at the cause of one’s addictions. Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, are highly effective in treating morphine addiction, especially when combined with effective medication.
In some instances methadone addiction treatment is recommended for morphine use disorders.
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