Morphine Addiction: What You Need To Know

Morphine is a painkiller that works by stopping the brain from perceiving pain. To understand how this drug works, you need to know that inside the human body are several opioids. Morphine mimics the effects of natural opioids and by doing so, it affects the transmission of pain impulses. In simple terms, it interrupts the messengers of pain that goes through the spinal cord then goes to the brain. Morphine is a potent drug and is typically administered in tablet or syrup form. In some cases, the drug is injected into the body. Sometimes patients switch from Dilaudid to Morphine. Because of the strength of Morphine, people using have a high risk of developing an addiction.

What Does Morphine Dependence Mean?

If a patient is taking amounts of Morphine that is greater than what his or her doctor has prescribed, then that person is already abusing the drug. It also means that the person has already grown dependent on the drug. A patient may need to take more Morphine because the regular dose is no longer enough to deal with the pain he or she is experiencing. When a person starts to abuse opioids, there will come a time when his brain will crave the drug, and because of this craving, the person will go to great lengths to get the drug. To a drug addict, the craving for a substance can be insatiable. The more he tries to satisfy the cravings, the more he becomes dependent on the drug.

What are the Signs of Morphine Addiction?

When an individual continues to abuse Morphine, he will soon experience side effects. One can consider these side effects as signs of morphine addiction. Side effects can be severe or mild, depending on the number of drugs the user has taken and the length of time he has been taking the drug. The longer a person has been using and abusing Morphine, the more severe the side effects. One of the first signs of morphine addiction is dizziness and confusion. This is because the drug is known to inhibit both alertness and emotions. A person under the influence of Morphine loses his perception. This is why someone who has taken Morphine should not drive or operate heavy machinery. You can also check if the person is having a hard time expressing a coherent thought. If a morphine user always seems confused, then he is likely abusing the drug.

What are the Signs of Morphine Withdrawal?

If a person is addicted to Morphine and stops taking the drug, that person will start to experience withdrawal symptoms. When a person uses a drug like Morphine, his body will soon become used to the feeling that the drug provides. Then there will come a point that the person will start craving the drug and will want more of it. When that person fails to get a dose of the drug, his body will start showing signs. These signs are known as withdrawal symptoms. The longer a person has been using Morphine, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be. At the beginning of the withdrawal, the patient can experience chills, restlessness, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, weakness and fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia. The person can also experience anxiety, which may lead to thoughts of suicide. People who express views of suicide should seek immediate professional help.

How is Morphine Addiction Treated?

If you feel that you cannot control your craving for Morphine, then that’s the time you should seek medical help. Reaching out to a professional who can help you is the most important step you can take. Only a medical professional can come up with a plan to help you recover from the addiction. Your doctor will be the one to suggest resources and provide you with references that can help you overcome your morphine addiction. The only way to treat addiction is through residential rehabilitation. In a rehabilitation facility, the patient will be under strict monitoring and observation. Detoxing outside of a rehabilitation center is not recommended because of the dangers it presents. If a patient is in a rehab facility, accidental overdose can be prevented. The patient will be able to go through the entire withdrawal process in a controlled and safe manner.

People who are suffering from morphine addiction have several treatment options. But choosing the right program and the right facility is crucial for recovery. There are rehab centers that focus solely on the physical aspects of addiction, while there are facilities that focus on the psychological aspects. The best kind of rehab facility, of course, is one that works on both aspects. A good example of a holistic drug addiction rehab facility is Elevate Recovery Center.