Morphine Addiction Help

Extracted from opium poppy plant in the early 1800s, morphine was first marketed as an analgesic as is continued to be prescribed for such use as well as for extreme pain, severe coughs, and chronic diarrhea. As a single drug entity, morphine was used without restriction prior to 1914 when it was then classified as a controlled substance.

The most notable derivative of morphine is heroin which was synthesized from morphine in the 1870s. Since Bayer first brought heroin to the market in the 1890s, substantial pharmaceutical research has ensued. Prior to the introduction of heroin, morphine had been the mostly commonly abused narcotic analgesic in the world.

Morphine Uses

While initially thought to treat opium and alcohol addiction, it was later discovered that morphine was actually more addictive than either opium or alcohol. Even with its addictive and tolerance characteristics, morphine continues to be a component of, or a foundation of, many current pharmaceutical products from A (Avinza) to Z (Zomorph).

In 1930, János Kábay, a chemist determined a method for deriving morphine from poppy straw, thus increasing its availability and use. Today, more than 230 tons of morphine is used each year for medical purposes including pain relief for patients with chronic pain or advanced medical illness and post-operative analgesia.

Morphine Addiction in the 1930s

Morphine’s use during the Civil War and World War II has been widely documented. During the Civil War, over 400,000 people presented with morphine addiction that was referred to as “soldier’s disease.” During World War II with the invention of the syrette, medics administered morphine to alleviate pain. A notable precaution on the part of the medics was to pin the syrette to the casualty’s collar to prevent overdose.

While morphine was accepted as the standard against which all new medications for postoperative pain relief are compared, many people were abusing the drug. One of the most noted instances of abuse during that period was when Sigmund Freud’s physician administered three doses of morphine over many hours that resulted in his death in 1939.

In the 1930s, the newly formed Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) took responsibility for drug policy enforcement. The FBN spearheaded anti-drug crusades to criminalize narcotics possession. In 1951, the Boggs Act imposed a mandatory minimum two-year sentence for possession. The Narcotic Control Act of 1956 raised the minimum sentence for a third offense to 10 to 40 years and permitted death sentences for drug sellers who dealt to minors.

Side Effects of Morphine Use

Most side effects associated with monitored morphine use are mild and often require no treatment, including:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating

Get Help for Morphine Addiction

Recovering from morphine with proper medical supervision and support services is possible. If you or someone you know is addicted to morphine, call our toll free number today at (877) 259-5633. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about morphine addiction treatment. We are here to help.

Prescription Medicine in Hollywood

Morphine is one of the easier drugs to obtain, so many people will turn to it when they need to escape from reality. Often, a morphine addiction happens accidentally when someone really needs the medication for an ailment they are suffering from. Many celebrities have become addicted to some form of prescription medication to help cope with the stress of being in the limelight.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Morphine

When Jamie Lee Curtis was 35 she began taking prescription medicine after a cosmetic operation on her eyes. From there, she became addicted to prescription painkillers. She wrote in a blog for the Huffington Post that she used the morphine to escape from reality. Fortunately, she was able to escape her addiction. Many celebrities fall so deep in the hole and do not want anyone to find out about it, so they hide it until it eventually kills them. Curtis was able to overcome her addiction.

Michael Jackson

Although Jackson’s death was not solely due to his prescription drug problem, it was definitely prevalent in his life. He began his addiction in 1984 while filming a Pepsi commercial when his hair caught on fire. Jackson was in pain for a while after that and began taking prescription medications. As time went on, it kept getting worse. It began to affect his career; he would be too medicated to perform at times. Before his death, he was said to have been overly medicated.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger, 28, died January 22 in his apartment from an accidental overdose. He was taking prescription painkillers, anxiety medication as well as sleeping pills. No illegal drugs were found in the apartment, it was all prescription drugs. None of the medications were taken in excess, it was simply the mixing of different prescribed medicines.

More about Morphine

Morphine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is a potent analgesic drug and the primary active agent is opium. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Morphine works by dulling the pain perception center in the brain.

A patient can use short-acting formula morphine on an “as needed” basis for the pain or an extended-release formula when using morphine for around-the-clock patients who are constantly in pain. Often times, your doctor will not prescribe morphine unless your body has already built up a tolerance to other opioid medications because morphine is highly dependent drug.

Morphine can be habit forming, so it is important to only take what is prescribed to you by your doctor so that your body does not build up a tolerance quickly. It is also important to keep it in a safe place away from children and those who have had addiction problems. Morphine is popular for teenagers who want to do drugs because it is easily accessible in their parents’ medicine cabinets. Morphine should be stopped gradually in order to not experience withdrawal symptoms.

Morphine Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to morphine, it is important to seek help. Morphine is a highly dependent drug. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. Many lose their jobs, dreams and ambitions. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on morphine detox or rehab, please call our toll free number.