Morphine Addiction & Information on the Drug

Some Information Morphine’s Origin

Morphine belongs to a group of drugs known as opiates and is made with raw opium from the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). It is a painkiller and is an effective drug for pain relief. It treats moderate to severe pain and severe coughs and can develop into morphine addiction.

The drug was first isolated in 1804 by the German pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner, who named it “morphium” after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. But it was not until the development of the hypodermic needle (1853) that its use spread. It comes in liquid, tablet, capsule, suppository, or injectable forms.

Its Effects on the Person

The drug directly affects the central nervous system. Its euphoric effects can be highly addictive. Tolerance (the need for higher and higher doses to maintain the same effect) and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly. Its effects include but are not limited to:

Relief of pain
Impairment of mental and physical performance
Relief of fear and anxiety
Euphoria
Decreases in hunger
Inhibits the cough reflex
Constipation
Reduces sex drive
Interferes with the menstrual cycle

Morphine Addiction Withdrawal

A prescription bottle with morphine pills

The drug was first used medicinally as a painkiller and, erroneously, as a cure for opium addiction. It quickly replaced opium as a cure-all recommended by doctors. It became a recreational drug and was readily available from drugstores or by mail. It was used during the American Civil War as a surgical anesthetic and was sent home with many wounded soldiers for relief of pain. At the end of the war, over 400,000 people had the “army disease,” Morphine addiction. The Franco-Prussian War in Europe had a similar effect.

Withdrawal symptoms are as follows:

anxiety
depression
difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep
dizziness
drug craving
feelings of being generally unwell (malaise)
panic attacks
restlessness
suicidal thoughts
sweating
tremors
yawning
abdominal cramps
diarrhea
dilated pupils
flu like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, weakness, body ache and chills
goose bumps
heightened sensitivity to pain
increased blood pressure
increased heart rate
itching
muscle cramps
nausea and/or vomiting
restless legs syndrome

Morphine crosses the placental barrier, and babies born to mothers abusing the drug go through withdrawal.

Overdose Symptoms

Constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
decreased awareness or responsiveness
extreme drowsiness
fever
increased blood pressure
increased thirst
lower back or side pain
muscle cramps or spasms
muscle pain or stiffness
no muscle tone or movement
severe sleepiness
swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
weight gain

If any of these overdose symptoms occur, get emergency help immediately.

Morphine Addiction & Detoxification

Self-detoxification can be extremely dangerous. Withdrawal can cause physical and emotional trauma, including stroke, heart attack, and even death. Some withdrawal specialists will use methadone to ease the symptoms. The outcome of methadone treatment can end with the individual acquiring an addiction to methadone.

Home or outpatient detox rarely succeeds in breaking the cycle of addiction. The addicted can expect a long list of withdrawal symptoms (as mentioned above) to occur as they attempt a detox. The worst-case scenario in detoxification is the creation of an additional addiction to depressants used to counteract the symptoms.

On Detox

One of the best ways to get off the drug is to do it cold turkey (ending use abruptly without the aid of other drugs or medications) at an inpatient drug rehabilitation center. Residential drug rehab centers help keep the addicted person focused on recovery and away from the normal stresses of living. It also removes them from the routines of their addiction so they can recover. The environment is crucial since many factors greatly inhibit the addicted person’s ability to recover successfully.

List of Drugs

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