Morphine is widely recognized for its effective pain-relieving properties, but its potential for addiction raises concerns. In 2019, there was significant public concern over the excessive prescription of addictive opioid medications, with morphine among the most commonly overprescribed. Reports from Public Health England highlighted that opioid prescriptions had surged by over 60% in the previous decade. Consequently, the government implemented stringent addiction warnings on opioid drug labels. The primary issue with opioids, including morphine, is the rapid onset of tolerance and dependence that develops in individuals, potentially leading to addiction.
If you or someone you know is grappling with morphine addiction, it’s critical to seek professional assistance. At Serenity Grove in Athens, Georgia, we aim to provide insights into morphine’s addictive nature and guide those struggling towards recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling, our drug addiction treatment in Georgia can help. Call us now at 844-903-3485 or verify your insurance now.
What is Morphine?
Morphine, an opioid analgesic derived from the opium poppy, is utilized in the medical field to manage severe pain, often in post-surgical patients or those with chronic conditions. It can also be used to help manage moments of temporary intense pain, such as during childbirth, after traumatic injuries, or in cancer treatment. It’s also prescribed for chronic conditions when patients develop a tolerance to weaker opioids like codeine or tramadol. In a hospital setting, morphine is considered safe and effective. Yet, its use outside these controlled environments, whether as prescribed or through abuse, can result in the development of tolerance, dependence, and ultimately, addiction.
How Does Morphine Work?
Morphine operates by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing pain perception and increasing feelings of pleasure, which can lead to its misuse. Essentially, it acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, effectively diminishing or halting pain signals before they reach the brain, while simultaneously boosting the brain’s production of pleasure-inducing chemicals. This dual action not only provides significant pain relief but also contributes to the sensation of well-being in users.
Effects of Morphine
Like all prescription drugs under strict regulation, morphine carries a range of side effects that can become more severe with long-term use. These adverse effects range from mood changes like anxiety and depression to physical issues such as constipation, sleep disturbances, drowsiness, and more serious conditions like respiratory depression and seizures. Additionally, individuals may develop a false perception of pain, potentially leading to actions that might impede recovery.
Extended use of morphine, especially beyond one to two weeks, raises the risk of developing tolerance (needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect), dependence (experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon cessation), and addiction (a severe brain disorder resulting from ongoing drug abuse). Furthermore, there’s extremely little evidence to suggest morphine’s effectiveness in managing most chronic pain conditions for more than three months, highlighting the importance of careful, short-term management to mitigate these risks.
Signs and Symptoms of Morphine Abuse in Others: Is morphine addictive?
If you’re worried that a loved one might be misusing morphine, watch for signs indicative of abuse, such as seeming intoxicated, slurring words, frequently nodding off, showing excessive drowsiness, or appearing detached from reality. Other warning signs include:
- Constricted pupils
- Possession of drug paraphernalia like empty morphine containers or needles
- Experiencing intense happiness for no clear reason
- A too-relaxed demeanor
- Instability while walking
- Breathing that’s unusually slow or shallow.
Is Morphine Addictive?
If you’re using morphine regularly and concerned about addiction, certain signs call for immediate professional intervention. Symptoms of morphine addiction cover a range of conditions, from inability to control dosage, preoccupation with obtaining the next dose, and continued use despite adverse effects, to deterioration of relationships and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.
Other indicators include intense morphine cravings:
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut down usage
- Feelings of being trapped
- Depression
- Guilt over drug use
Additionally, risky behavior such as using morphine in unsafe situations, increasing dosage over time, deceitful actions to acquire the drug, experiencing withdrawal, and social withdrawal are serious signs that may indicate substance abuse. If these symptoms resonate, it’s crucial to seek help for morphine addiction.
Find Drug Rehab in Georgia Today
If you or someone you know is facing a battle with morphine addiction, Serenity Grove is here to help. We offer medically supervised morphine detoxification at our rehab programs in Georgia. We offer personalized detox programs are administered by our highly skilled medical team. Our comprehensive treatment programs and supportive community are designed to aid in your recovery journey. Contact us to learn more about how we can support you in overcoming morphine addiction.
