Morphine Addiction

The Watershed Addiction Treatment Programs

Palm Beaches, Florida

The Watershed of the Palm Beaches is licensed by the State of Florida and “Gold Seal” accredited by The Joint Commission for alcohol and drug treatment. This symbolizes value and illumines the dedication to meeting industry performance standards. We are a world-class health care facility that offers professional addiction treatment. Just two miles from beautiful Palm Beach County beaches, our rehabilitation center is the perfect setting to emerge refreshed and renewed.

How is Morphine Abused?

Morphine abuse is very dangerous, as it can lead to a number of side effects including a lifetime struggle with addiction. According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, morphine can be found as an injectable, oral solution, immediate and controlled release tablet, or as a suppository. It may be abused in any of these forms, and the tablets are sometimes crushed up and snorted or injected.

Other Names for Morphine

Morphine may be referred to both under street names and brand names. It is important to be aware of these in order to be able to detect if a loved one is wrongly taking the drug. According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency morphine street names include:

Dreamer
Emsel
First line
God’s drug
Hows
MS
Mister
Blue
Morf
Morpho
Unkie

Generic and brand names for morphine are the names it is marketed under. These include:

MS-Contin
Oramorph SR
MSiR
Roxanol
Kadian
RMS

What are the Effects of Morphine?

The effects of morphine vary depending on the dosage, route of administration, and the previous exposure a particular person has had to the drug. With exposure, people develop a tolerance which means that they need more of the drug to feel the same effects as previously.

Short-term effects of morphine include:

Relief of physical pain
Euphoria
Decrease in hunger
Drowsiness
Disconnectedness
Mental clouding

Onset of these effects is usually within 15 to 60 minutes, and they last for up to 6 hours. Morphine also has a number of side effects. According to the US National Library of Medicine, side effects of morphine may include:

Drowsiness, dizziness
Nausea, vomiting
Constipation or diarrhea
Loss of appetite, can lead to weight loss
Dry mouth
Sweating
Weakness
Headache
Agitation or mood changes
Confusion
Small pupils
Flu symptoms

Morphine Overdose

It is possible to overdose on morphine. Taking too much morphine can lead to coma or death, and it is extremely important to be able to recognize an overdose. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms as a result of taking morphine call 911.

Cold, clammy skin
Lowered blood pressure
Slowed breathing
Slowed pulse rate
Seizures
Blue or purple color to the skin
Fainting
Chest pain
Hives, rash, or itching
Difficulty swallowing
Swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs

Morphine Dependence and Withdrawal

Morphine withdrawal is a collection of symptoms that people feel when they are dependent on morphine and abruptly stop taking it. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, dependence develops when your body becomes used to a drug. This occurs at a neuronal level in the brain when the neurons adapt to repeated drug exposure. This means that they have come to depend on morphine in order to function.

Withdrawal occurs when a morphine-dependent person stops using it. The body reacts with symptoms similar to a terrible flu, symptoms which last for about a week according to MedlinePlus. Developing a morphine dependence and feeling withdrawal symptoms when you are not on morphine can be very dangerous, and is a sign of addiction.

Morphine withdrawal symptoms may include:

Agitation
Anxiety
Muscle aches
Increased tearing
Insomnia
Runny nose
Sweating
Yawning
Abdominal cramping
Diarrhea
Dilated pupils
Goose bumps
Nausea
Vomiting

These symptoms are painful and uncomfortable, but they are not life-threatening. The worst of the physical withdrawal symptoms are sure to dissipate within about a week, though the psychological symptoms may last a few weeks longer. Medications such as methadone and buprenorphine are sometimes prescribed to help with withdrawal, though they can be habit-forming as well.

Staying hydrated, exercising, and eating a good and balanced diet are some recommended remedies for morphine withdrawal.

Signs of Morphine Abuse and Addiction

If you suspect that someone you love is using morphine and may be addicted, or are worried that you are developing an addiction yourself, you should look out for certain signs. One characteristic of morphine abuse and substance abuse in general is that people often try to hide it, so it may be hard to identify. However, morphine addiction signs may be seen at behavioral, physical, and psychological levels.

Signs of addiction include:

‘Doctor shopping’ or going to several different doctors in attempts to get more morphine
Frequent trips to the ER with little to no explanation
Abrupt changes in hangouts, friend groups
Unexplained financial loss, always in need of money, possibly even stealing money from others
Not paying attention to physical appearance
Abrupt or unexplained weight loss
Decline in performance in work or at school
Compulsive drug-seeking behavior

Signs of morphine abuse which can also be signs of addiction include:

Track marks, or needle marks from injection
Small, pinpoint pupils
Seeming withdrawn, anxious or irritable
Frequent drowsiness, nodding off
Sedation
Loss of appetite, weight loss

Getting Help for Morphine Addiction

Morphine addiction treatment can help you overcome an addiction to morphine. Treatment usually involves a detox period followed by counseling and medication therapy. Treatment may take place in an inpatient or residential rehab center, outpatient facility, or with the help of support groups. Some people are able to overcome addiction without treatment, but it does not work for everyone and is not recommended.

Inpatient rehab is recommended for people who have a long history of substance abuse, those with co-occurring medical or mental health conditions, and people who lack support in their home. Inpatient centers provide around the clock care and support, as well as housing in the facility.
Outpatient treatment is most helpful for people who have support at home, those who have a relatively shorter history of morphine use, and who are not affected by other mental health or medical conditions.
Support groups are helpful throughout the treatment process. Many people begin attending support group meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous, while in treatment. It is recommended to continue attending these meetings long after treatment, as well, as they can be very helpful for maintaining recovery. Connecting and sharing experiences with others in recovery can be a great help along the way.

Counseling is an important part of treatment. Morphine addiction treatment may involve various types of counseling, and they may be on a one-on-one basis with a counselor, in a group, and may incorporate your family and loved ones as well. Counseling helps people cope with drug cravings, heal from any trauma associated with their drug abuse, and develop skills necessary to lead a drug-free life.

Medications are also a main component in many treatment programs for morphine addiction. Medications used in treatment are opiates themselves and work on the same brain receptors as morphine. These drugs, however, do not create the same high effect and allow people to go to work and participate in other aspects of life that their morphine addiction prevented. According to Harvard Health Publications methadone, buprenorphine, and Suboxone are some of the most common medications used for this purpose. They are normally administered once a day either in a specialized clinic (for methadone) or at a physician’s office (for Suboxone and buprenorphine).