Morphine Addiction and Mental Health Issues

Since its introduction in 1808, millions of people have become addicted to the opiate pain-killer morphine. As with its cousin heroin, morphine changes the chemistry of the brain, blocking certain pain signals and replacing the naturally occurring trace chemicals that manage pain, emotions and stress. These compounds initially do an excellent job relieving pain, even bringing on a sense of euphoria that the brain will want to experience again and again. Thus the cycle of addiction is...

Signs of Morphine Addiction

The signs of morphine addiction include many physical and emotional changes in the user. Because morphine is highly addictive, the user builds a tolerance (the need for higher and higher doses to maintain the same effect) and physical and psychological dependence develops quickly. It can be difficult for healthcare providers to assess whether a person has an addiction to morphine or if the true problem is actually inadequate pain control. Healthcare providers are leery of over prescribing and...