Morphine Addiction Help

Morphine is a potentially lethal opiate that quickly produces psychological and physical addiction. A base ingredient in manufacturing other popular opiates like heroin, morphine is extremely prevalent drug in the illicit market with over a thousand tons grown (morphine comes from the opium poppy) and distributed annually. Morphine is considerably dangerous, and addiction to this drug requires immediate attention.

Signs and Symptoms of Morphine Addiction

There are many signs and symptoms of morphine abuse and addiction. Morphine side effects include but are not limited to the following:

• Anxiety
• Involuntary eye movement
• Blurred or double vision
• Chills
• Depressed or irritable mood
• Itching
• Cramps
• Dizziness
• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Rigid muscles
• Inability to urinate
• Exaggerated sense of well-being
• Seizure
• Light-headedness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Facial flushing
• Sedation
• Tremor
• Fainting
• Sweating
• Uncoordinated muscle movements
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Headache
• Unexplained allergic reactions
• Apprehension
• Memory loss

Clearly there are many harmful and dangerous side effects that counter-balance the euphoria caused by this drug. There is no standard overdose amount, but it is lethal. If you are addicted or recognize some of these symptoms in a friend or loved one, take action now.

Why Morphine Is So Addictive

Morphine taps into the brain’s reward system, which produces the euphoria typically associated with the drug. However, morphine lingers in the brain, blocking the neuro-receptor sites that absorb the drug. Therefore, the blockages require higher doses of the drug to produce the same level of high after only one use. For this reason, people can be addicted to morphine after their first use of the drug.

Symptoms of morphine overdose include the following:

• Cold clammy skin
• Flaccid muscles
• Lowered blood pressure
• “Pinpoint” or dilated pupils
• Sleepiness
• Stupor
• Coma
• Slowed breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Slow pulse rate
• Bluish colored fingernails and lips
• Spasms of the stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Palpitations
• Death

If you recognize several of these symptoms in a friend or loved one, or if you experience these symptoms yourself, get to an ER immediately.

Morphine Addiction Help

Dual diagnosis programs have the most success in completely eradicating addiction. These programs focus on underlying mental disorders that may accompany addiction. After a thorough detox of the drug, dual-diagnosis programs provide counseling or therapy options that help prevent future relapses and uses. Talk, group, and behavioral therapy, as well as participation in community activities are all encouraged or employed in these programs. Support and encouragement from friends or family members can also yield significant assistance in breaking addiction. Drug counselors or specialists can also prescribe less potent drugs to help taper patients from addiction.
There are several options that can help. Our helpline is operated 24 hours a day and our phone number is toll-free. Please call us today to begin reclaiming life. It is not too late to find hope.

Morphine is an opiate drug derived from the opium poppy. It is classified as a narcotic and is commonly prescribed to manage pain. Morphine affects the parts of the brain that determine what one perceives as pain or pleasure, resulting in an initial “high.” Tolerance and addiction to morphine develop quickly, both physically and psychologically.

The first step in recovering from morphine addiction is for the addict to recognize that there is a problem.  Once the addiction is realized, the addict must be willing to seek help. Recovery from drug addiction is a long-term process that requires commitment from the addict as well as from family and/or friends. It will likely also require help from an outside sources such as addiction professionals and drug rehabilitation centers. After rehab, one must surround him or her self with support systems, both formal and informal to aid in remaining free of drug-use.

Recovery support systems could include:

•  Support Groups

•  Counselors

•  Therapists

•  Family and Friends

•  Religious organizations

Recovering from Morphine Addiction

It can be very helpful for the recovering addict to regularly attend support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous. It can be both beneficial and healing to be in community with others who are dealing with or have dealt with the same sorts of drug issues. It can be especially helpful to hear the success stories and gain the insight of those who have been able to remain drug-free. These support group meetings should be a priority.

A recovering morphine addict should be under the care of medical professionals, in the realm of both physical and mental health. Very often, morphine addiction begins with the drug being prescribed for an underlying medical condition, which may need to be dealt with in addition to the addiction itself.  The addict should also be under the care of a team of mental health specialists. This team might include a psychiatrist or counselor, a behavioral therapist, and perhaps a motivational therapist. These types of professionals can help to teach people strategies to change their thinking in order to deal with life issues in a way that does not involve a return to drug use.

Some of the most important support for an addict in the recovery process is that of family and friends.  One should not try to return to drug-free living without help.  A recovering addict needs a great deal of encouragement and accountability.  However, a person should be aware of relationships that might be detrimental to their recovery and distance themselves from such people. This is a great opportunity make a fresh start and develop healthy relationships. A drug addict’s close circle of relationships might even consider group counseling or support meetings such as Nar-Anon to better deal with the issue. Another source of support might come from faith communities that could provide additional positive relationships.

Morphine Recovery Help

If you or someone you know needs help recovering from morphine addiction, please call our toll-free helpline. Our trained counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call us today to get the recovery solutions you need. We are here to help.