What is Heroin?
Heroin is a potent and illicit substance derived from a natural substance found in the seed pod of various opium poppy plants. It is most commonly found in a white or brown powder form or a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” Heroin is an opioid drug that can be ingested through snorting, smoking, or injecting. Heroin (and another dangerous opioid, fentanyl) has led to a significant public health concern in The United States – the opioid crisis. More than 130 people die from these illicit drugs every single day, making it essential to understand more about the drug and how you can get yourself or a loved one help for heroin abuse.
What is Morphine?
Morphine is a non-synthetic narcotic drug that is commonly used in a hospital-like setting by medical professionals to treat moderate to severe pain. Morphine works by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain to effectively reduce pain signals.
Morphine is one of the world’s oldest prescription opioids. It was used to develop other opioid drugs, such as codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Morphine is also known to be highly addictive and has caused many opioid overdose deaths.
Exploring The Difference Between Heroin and Morphine
While heroin is derived from morphine, and both drugs have similar side effects, there are a few key differences.
Legal Status and Medicinal Use
One of the most significant differences between heroin and morphine comes down to legal status. Heroin is illegal and has no accepted medicinal use, so it is designated as a Schedule I controlled substance. On the other hand, morphine is a prescription drug and a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating its high potential for abuse but also recognizing that it has medicinal use for pain relief.
Unlike heroin, morphine is highly regulated as a prescription drug and may be prescribed as a severe pain reliever. This drug is ingested in various forms, including oral tablets, injections, and extended-release formulations.
Chemical Makeup of Synthetic Opioids and the Illegal Drug Heroin
Heroin and morphine are both opioids, and heroin is made from morphine, however, they are different when it comes to the chemical structure. Morphine is a naturally occurring substance, whereas heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid created by modifying morphine molecules. This results in a more potent, fast-acting high.
Health Risks of Opioid Drug Use
Both heroin and morphine share common side effects associated with opioid use; they both produce euphoria when taken in a dose that gets the user high. However, side effects can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and sedation.
Heroin is often considered to be significantly more dangerous than morphine because heroin is purchased on the streets without medical supervision. This means the user has no idea what’s really in the drug that they’re using. It could be laced with other poisonous substances or drugs, like fentanyl, that can increase the potency of the heroin and possibly lead to overdose. Fentanyl is the leading cause of opioid-related drug overdoses today. As a result, people may be more likely to overdose when abusing heroin than they are when abusing morphine.
Opioids and Fatal Overdoses
Fatal overdoses are the most concerning aspect of opioid use. While it is certainly possible to overdose on morphine and other natural opioids, overdosing on heroin is much more common because it is often mixed in with other street drugs, and the user has no idea what’s in it. Heroin is often mixed with fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger. This means that much smaller doses of heroin can lead to fatal overdose deaths.
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Blue or purple nails and lips
- Not reacting to verbal commands or physical stimuli
- Extremely small pupils
- Breathing that is slow, sporadic, or has stopped
- Incredibly slow heart rate
- Skin that appears pale and feels clammy
If you notice any of these signs, taking immediate action is essential. The best course of treatment is to provide Naloxone if you have it available; this is a medication that essentially reverses the overdose. If you do this successfully, it’s still critical to call first responders and get professional treatment for the person experiencing the overdose.
What Are Signs of Opioid Dependence?
Opioid dependence is a serious issue and can cause significant adverse side effects in a person’s life. Understanding the signs of opioid abuse can help you get effective treatment for yourself or a loved one. If you don’t know what to look for, getting the help you need is difficult. Some of the most common signs of an opioid use problem include the following:
- Physical withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Collapsed veins
- Drowsiness and pinpoint pupils
- Isolation from social activities and loved ones
- Neglect of responsibilities and poor personal hygiene
- Mood swings, anxiety, and depression
If you recognize these signs in yourself or anyone else, it’s important to reach out to a treatment center as soon as possible. All kinds of opioids have serious side effects and can lead to fatal overdoses in tragic cases. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Types of Addiction Treatment For Morphine and Heroin Use
If you or someone you know needs treatment for heroin and morphine addiction or any opiate or other drug addiction, it’s essential to understand your options so you can choose the best plan for yourself. Typically, treatment options include the following:
Detox
The first line of treatment for natural and synthetic opioid use is detox. Medically supervised opioid detox programs can assist in managing the withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin and morphine cessation.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment offers a structured and immersive environment for individuals recovering from opioid addiction.
Partial Hospitalization Program
The partial hospitalization program provides a high level of care for individuals who require intensive treatment but do not need round-the-clock supervision.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) is designed for individuals transitioning from inpatient care or those who require a structured program without residential commitment.
Standard Outpatient Treatment
Standard outpatient treatment provides flexibility for individuals with mild addiction levels or those who have completed more intensive programs.
Get The Treatment and Help You Deserve
Regardless of whether you are addicted to prescription drugs like Vicodin and Oxycontin or heroin and morphine, being addicted to opiates is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. While both heroin and morphine addiction can have devastating effects, there are treatment options available to help individuals recover and overcome opioid dependence.
The difference between heroin and morphine is important, but they can both lead to addiction and a need for treatment. If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction, please contact our rehab center today to learn about your treatment options
