Morphine Addiction Help

Articles and Helpline for Morphine Addiction

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Morphine is a narcotic pain reliever prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. When morphine is abused, an addiction can form very rapidly. Morphine activates the brain’s reward system, and the promise of reward causes the user to crave morphine continually. It becomes hard for him or her to focus on anything else. Morphine addiction reduces the user’s level of consciousness and harms his or her ability to be fully aware of present surroundings.

Signs of Morphine Addiction

If you are wondering if your friend or family member is addicted to morphine, there are certain signs and symptoms to look for. They will exhibit a constant and compulsive craving to use morphine and may say that they “need it” to function. They are preoccupied with obtaining more of the drug and will sometimes go to desperate measures to get more. There are many physical signs of morphine addiction, including:

  • Slurred speech
  • Blurred vision and involuntary movement of the eyeballs
  • Sweating and chills
  • Dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness
  • Rash, hives, itching
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
  • Seizures
  • Memory loss
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite

The emotional signs of morphine addiction include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depressed or irritable mood
  • Exaggerated sense of well-being
  • Abnormal thinking
  • Agitation
  • Apprehension
  • Hallucinations

Having an Intervention

People addicted to drugs such as morphine may find it very difficult to admit to themselves and others that they have an addiction. Or, they may realize that there is a problem but just cannot bring themselves to get help. They usually will have no idea about the amount of damage the addiction is causing their lives and their relationships. The purpose of an intervention is to help addicts see the physical and mental destruction that addiction creates and to persuade them to seek help. Intervention is the most effective technique to help an addicted person. The goal of an intervention is to empower addicts to find a breakthrough in their seemingly hopeless situation.

Here are some helpful tips for having an intervention:

  • Stay calm
  • Avoid labeling the person an “addict”
  • Cite specific negative instances that occurred due to the substance abuse
  • Stick to what you know firsthand, avoid hearsay
  • Explain how the person’s behavior has affected you
  • Be supportive and hopeful about change
  • Be prepared for denial and resistance

If your friend or family member is addicted to morphine, please do not turn a blind eye to the situation. Intervention could truly be a matter of life and death. Studies show that 92% of addicts who experience an intervention go to treatment and receive help for their addiction.

Treatment for Morphine Addiction

Morphine addiction treatment will use services such as 12-Step meetings, programs that teach about the nature of addiction, and behavioral therapy that enables the addict to develop new coping and life skills. At a quality rehab facility that treats both the physical and psychological effects of addiction, individuals are much more likely to be successful in recovery. Treatment centers should provide a safe and structured environment for drug abusers, where they will be surrounded by a knowledgeable staff to counsel them in overcoming their unique challenges.

Morphine Intervention Help

If you are thinking of holding an intervention, please call our toll free number for tips or more information on morphine addiction treatment. We want to partner with you to find the best recovery solutions for your loved one. Our trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to give support and assistance in this process. Recovery is within reach. Call today.

Morphine Addiction Help

February 17, 2010 | Comments Off | Morphine Addiction, Morphine Treatment

Morphine is an extremely potent opiate, analgesic, psychoactive drug which is considered the best solution to treat extreme pain. Morphine is the primary active ingredient in opium and prior to 1914 morphine was used without restrictions. Morphine then became a controlled substance but was still the most commonly abused narcotic analgesic in the world until heroin was synthesized.

Used for extreme pain relief, including pre-surgery anesthesia, morphine is also used for severe coughs, shortness of breath and chronic diarrhea.

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

Indicators of Morphine Addiction

The indicators of morphine addiction don’t always present in physical ways. Rather, it is behavioral and psychological symptoms that suggest morphine addiction. There are two primary causes for morphine addiction: tolerance and craving. Because of its highly addictive nature, the body quickly builds a tolerance to the morphine dosage and thus requires greater and greater amounts of morphine to achieve the desired effect.

Because morphine impacts the brain by presenting a desired state of being, the brain continually seeks or craves the outcome. Craving morphine is the most obvious indicator of addiction. Others include:

  • If a person starts to crave morphine.
  • Wanting more before their scheduled dose time.
  • Wanting more than the amount prescribed.

These cravings along with the desire to maintain or increase the desired affect may lead a person to use more morphine, or add other painkillers, drugs or alcohol. At that point, the person has a morphine addiction and intervention is necessary.

Morphine Withdrawal

Many systems of morphine withdrawal appear to be minor enough for an individual to manage without detoxification or medical supervision, including:

  • Restlessness
  • Yawning
  • Perspiration
  • Muscle spasm
  • Hot and cold flashes
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

However, self-detoxification is not recommended as some additional symptoms of morphine withdrawal may include strokes and heart attacks.

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.