Signs of Morphine Addiction
Morphine addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Addiction to morphine can have devastating effects on an individual's physical and mental health, as well as their personal and professional relationships.
What Is Morphine?
Morphine is a powerful opioid pain reliever that is often prescribed to manage severe pain. While morphine can be effective in treating pain, it can also be highly addictive.
Morphine has one of the highest addiction and abuse rates among drugs of its kind. This is largely due to the fact morphine is a powerful prescription medication painkiller that can be easily obtained and is relatively inexpensive.
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Named after the Greek god of dreams, “Morpheus,” morphine was first isolated from the poppy plant in the mid-1800’s. It was used to treat soldiers who were hurt in the Civil War. Many soldiers became addicted to morphine after they were treated with it.
Then, in the early 1900s, a company called Bayer made a new drug called heroin. Heroin was supposed to be a less addictive painkiller than morphine, but it turned out to be even more addictive than morphine.
How Is Morphine Used?
Today, morphine is still used to treat pain. But it is only used when other pain medicines don't work well enough. Doctors are careful to only give morphine to people who really need it. Morphine can be very addictive, and it can be dangerous if it is not used properly.
Morphine can be taken by mouth, injected, or put under the skin, and is used to help people feel better when they are in significant pain. It works by changing the way the brain and spinal cord send pain signals. Morphine also has the highest overdose rate of all opiates.
Morphine is a powerful drug and can be addictive. If you are taking morphine for pain, it is important to take it exactly as your doctor tells you—and to never share morphine with anyone else.
What Are The Risks Of Morphine Addiction?
Morphine addiction is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can have devastating effects on an individual's physical and mental health. When used for pain management, morphine is a highly effective medication that can provide immense relief to patients.
However, it can also be highly addictive and can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Continued use of morphine can lead to a tolerance to the drug, requiring higher and higher doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead to an increased risk of overdose, which can be fatal.
Additionally, morphine addiction can have significant behavioral and psychological impacts, including social isolation, financial problems, and a decreased quality of life.
It is important to seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with morphine addiction, as it is a complex condition that requires specialized treatment and support.
How to Recognize Morphine Addiction Signs in Yourself
While morphine can be effective in managing pain, it also has a high potential for addiction. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of morphine addiction in oneself is crucial in seeking help and preventing further harm to physical and mental health.
Physical Symptoms
There are two main physical symptoms of morphine addiction:
- tolerance
- withdrawal
If you take morphine for a long time, your body can get used to it. When someone has developed a tolerance for morphine, this means that they need to take more of the drug to get the same effect.
Withdrawal symptoms of morphine addiction usually occur when you stop taking the drug. You may experience physical symptoms, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
Many people also experience psychological symptoms. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common.
Behavioral Symptoms
While physical signs of morphine addiction can be easily identified by anyone, behavioral signs of morphine addiction might be difficult to perceive unless you’re paying attention to habits over a period of time. These might include:
- Using morphine more frequently than prescribed
- Using a greater amount of morphine than prescribed
- Spending increasing amounts of money on the drug
- Lying about your use of the morphine
- Stealing the drug from others
- Hiding the substance in various places out of fear it may be confiscated
- Continuing to use morphine even though it is causing problems in your life
When someone takes morphine too much, they are rarely the ones to recognize that they’re in trouble. Often, a friend or family member has to intervene to tell them they have a problem and seek help.
Talking about addiction is hard, but remaining addicted to morphine will make things worse in many ways. The sooner someone seeks treatment for morphine addiction, the more likely it is that they can avoid the many uncomfortable consequences that might occur–including overdose.
How to Recognize Morphine Addiction Symptoms in Someone Else
The same behavioral and physical signs and symptoms of morphine addiction that you’d see in someone who has an addiction can also be observed in someone who is using the drug recreationally. In addition to the lists above, you may also notice:
- Seemingly sudden, frequent money and/or legal issues
- Avoiding or withdrawing from relationships or activities they used to be passionate about
- Dilated pupils, slurred speech, and “nodding off”
- Uncharacteristic mood swings, irritability, and inattention
- Switching doctors frequently
- Neglecting regular responsibilities
If you recognize these signs of morphine addiction in someone near you, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Something as simple as a phone call can mean the difference between life and death.
Why It's Important to Look Out for Signs of Morphine Addiction
Morphine addiction can have a devastating impact on your life. The drug is highly addictive, and can lead to a range of negative physical consequences, including impaired cognitive function, respiratory depression, and increased risk of overdose.
Furthermore, the withdrawal symptoms associated with morphine addiction can be extremely unpleasant and difficult to manage without professional help. It is, therefore, crucial to use the drug only as prescribed and seek help immediately if you suspect addiction.
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Treatment for Morphine Addiction
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be addicted to morphine, please seek help. There is help available, and you don't have to go through this alone.
Here at Sequoia, we understand that recovery from morphine addiction can be daunting, and we commend you for taking that first step! Our team is committed to helping individuals stop the cycle of substance abuse to rebuild healthy, happy, and accomplished lives. Our licensed clinicians will develop an individualized treatment plan unique to your situation.
Reach out to us to learn about how our team can assist you in developing new and healthy habits, coping strategies, relapse prevention, and greater levels of success—all in a safe, welcoming environment. Give us a call today.