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Morphine, one of the most potent pain relievers on the market, is derived from the opium poppy plant. Morphine comes as a liquid, pill, suppository, or in an injectable form, in both immediate-release and extended-release formats. It has several medicinal uses, including for pain relief after a medical procedure or surgery, and pain relief for terminally ill cancer patients. Morphine blocks pain receptors and also acts as a cough suppressant and sedative.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA, recognizes that morphine is highly addictive with the potential for abuse and dependency and classifies it as a Schedule II drug. Drug scheduling refers to a drug’s medicinal use versus its abuse potential with the highest level being Schedule I. For instance, heroin is currently classified as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medicinal uses, and heroin is actually a derivative of morphine, possibly first isolated for use as a potential substitute, or cure even, for morphine addiction as reported by the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College. Of course, heroin’s legitimate uses were soon discounted due to the severe side effects and dangers associated with its use, not the least of which being addiction.
Substance abuse costs American society around $559 billion each year in lost workplace production, legal bills, crime, and health care costs, as published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). As a result, we all have a vested interest in addressing issues related to substance abuse and addiction.
Morphine Specifics
Opioid narcotics, such as morphine, act on opioid receptors in the brain. Morphine perfectly fits into these receptors, blocking pain signals from reaching the brain and leaving people feeling pain-free and even euphoric. Morphine also suppresses some of the central nervous system functions, such as respiration, blood pressure and heart rate, which is partly responsible for the feelings of calm and relaxation users feel when taking it.
In short, morphine can make users feel good, thus motivating them to want to take more. Over time, a tolerance can develop and the brain’s natural chemistry is altered as it expects and reacts to morphine’s consistent presence. The parts of the brain responsible for motivation and reward are also affected, which can lead to a physical and psychological dependence or to addiction.
According to the Global Information Network About Drugs (GINAD), 10 percent of Americans have abused an opioid like morphine at least once in their lives, and the United States consumes 55 percent of all of the morphine produced worldwide. Anytime a prescription drug is misused or diverted, it is considered abuse. Morphine may be abused by those with prescriptions who take more than their intended dosage or those who continue to seek prescriptions for morphine after it is no longer needed.
Morphine products are available in different dosage amounts. Brand names include Duramorph, Astramorph, Kadian, Infumorph, MSIR, MS-Contin, morphine sulfate, Roxanol, Oramorph SR, Zomorph, Sevredol, and Avinza. Morphine is also found in several combination medications as well. On the streets, morphine is often used as a heroin substitute and goes by various street names, such as:
- Emma
- Morph
- China white
- Mister blue
- Auntie Em
- Dreamer
- White stuff
- Missy
Dangers of Morphine Abuse
Morphine and other opioid analgesics have many consequences or potential risk factors related to their abuse. In the short-term, morphine can make users feel drowsy, slow down breathing, decrease appetite, cause nausea, lead to constipation, lower sex drive, disrupt normal heart rate and blood pressure, make users sweat and itch, blur vision, make it hard to sleep, and disrupt women’s menstrual cycles. Morphine also causes emotional and behavioral changes, and it can cause slowed cognition, memory loss, confusion, mood swings, and changes in perception. Users are unable to make smart decisions while abusing morphine and may be more likely to get into hazardous situations.
In the long-term, morphine may create lung and respiratory issues as well as damage to the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections. Chronic abuse of morphine can also lead to the body and brain developing a tolerance to the drug. Tolerance occurs when the body becomes complacent with the amount of morphine being taken and requires higher doses in order to increase the desired effects. Over time, tolerance can develop into dependence, and the brain will feel out of sync without morphine, as it has come to expect the chemical interaction of the drug.
Users may experience strong drug cravings and spend most of their time figuring out how to obtain morphine, using it, and then recovering from morphine’s effects. This is considered addiction, which is a potential long-term side effect of morphine abuse. Drug-seeking behavior may create legal troubles also as users may resort to criminal behavior in order to obtain morphine, as well as be more likely to engage in risky or illegal behavior while using it.
Opioid addiction is a global issue. Around the world, an estimated 15.5 million people were dependent on opioids in 2010. The Society for the Study of Addiction estimates that opioid dependency was responsible for 9.2 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). In short, opioid, or morphine, abuse can shorten and impair life when left untreated.
Morphine Overdose
Snorting and injecting morphine sends the drug immediately into the system, creating almost instantaneous results. This increases the risk for a dangerous overdose as well as heightens the chances of developing an infectious disease through the sharing of dirty needles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, considers prescription drug abuse an epidemic and estimates that as many as 120 people die each day as a result of a drug overdose in the United States. As many as 420,040 Americans sought emergency medical treatment as a result of opioid analgesic abuse in 2011, and 16,235 died from an opioid pharmaceutical overdose in 2013. Combining morphine with other drugs or alcohol can greatly increase the chances of an adverse reaction or overdose.
An overdose is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention if you recognize any of the following symptoms:
- Blue-tinged fingernails or skin
- Vomiting
- Muscle flaccidity
- Shallow or difficulty breathing
- Irregular heart rate or weak pulse
- Extreme drowsiness
- Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
Without treatment, a morphine overdose may lead to a coma or even be fatal.
When to Seek Help
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to spot a morphine addiction is to recognize the withdrawal symptoms when the drug leaves the bloodstream. Withdrawal occurs as the brain attempts to regain a natural balance without the drug and can induce a variety of side effects, many of which mirror a bad case of the flu. Other symptoms may include excessive tearing, yawning for no reason, fatigue, uncontrollable crying, anxiety, agitation, depression, and other behavioral or personality shifts. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and should not be attempted without the assistance and direction of a medical professional.
Other warning signs of addiction to morphine may include:
- Fluctuations in weight
- Financial difficulties
- Withdrawal from social interactions and situations
- Interpersonal relationship trouble
- Drop in meeting work, school, or home obligations and production levels
- Legal troubles
- Injection or “track” marks
- Changes in sleep patterns and energy levels
- Decline in physical appearance
- Outbursts of anger
- Jumpiness or seeming to be on edge
- Lack of interest in activities that used to be enjoyed
Addiction is a brain disease that is chronic and relapsing, but it can be successfully managed and treated with proper care and support. If you, or a loved one, are suffering from morphine dependency or addiction, it is time to seek professional help. You are not alone; approximately 22.7 million Americans over the age of 12 suffered from a substance abuse or dependency in 2013, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
Typical Treatment Plan
Treatment for a substance abuse or dependency issue is highly variable and will depend on your individual circumstances. No two treatment plans are exactly alike. Many of the components will be similar, however, and a general treatment model may include an initial physical stabilization, or detox, as well as subsequent therapies and counseling sessions. Reintegration into everyday life and aftercare and support groups will complement the treatment plan.
The duration of each of these components may depend on personal progress, motivation, family support, and the severity of the dependency as well as any mental health disorders that may also need to be managed. Mental health disorders co-occur with drug abuse over half of the time, as reported by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). The best course of action is a comprehensive and integrated care plan where teams of medical professionals work together to achieve positive results.
Detox is the process of alleviating and removing toxins from the body, and in the case of morphine, it should be performed in a detox facility with direct medical supervision for the best chances of success and to ensure the addict’s safety. Symptoms can be uncomfortable and may need to be managed with medications. Methadone and buprenorphine products, Subutex and Suboxone, are often used during morphine detox due to their partial opioid agonist properties. These drugs activate the opioid receptors on a lesser scale than full agonists and have a longer half-life, meaning a lower dosage more often can effectively reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Mood stabilizers and antidepressant medications may also help with some of the psychological side effects of withdrawal.
Physical health can be improved with a healthy diet, regular sleep schedule, and mild fitness regime. Vitamins and supplements may also help restore physical well-being. Counselors and therapists can help improve emotional health via group and individual therapy sessions, teaching new life skills and coping mechanisms, as well as determining the personal root cause of self-destructive behaviors including substance abuse. Behavioral therapies are useful tools for identifying potential triggers, developing new strategies for handling them, and reinventing positive images of the self. Positive peer and family networks can be built and repaired with support groups, forming bonds that will last throughout recovery.
The Oaks at La Paloma is a specialized rehabilitation facility that provides a variety of individualized services and amenities designed to help you or your loved one reach personal goals of success and recovery. Admissions coordinators are available 24 hours a day to provide a specialized and confidential assessment. We can help you make an informed decision about your future – call now.