So You Want to Know About: Morphine Addiction

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Overview of Morphine Abuse

As an opiate, morphine can be both physically and psychologically addictive. This means that

• The body develops a tolerance to the drug and as use continues, it requires more and more to achieve the desired effect.
• Certain reinforcing brain patterns may develop as a person obsesses over the drug and its effects and, in turn, compel the user to compulsively seek it out.

Morphine, like other prescription opiates, can quickly lead to dependency and abuse, even when the user begins taking it for legitimate medical reasons.

Signs and Symptoms

Misuse of morphine can have a number of side effects, including:

• Lowered blood pressure.
• Confusion.
• Dizziness.
• Itchy skin.
• Extreme drowsiness.
• Pinpoint pupils.
• Difficulty breathing (or inability to breathe).
• Loss of consciousness.
• Weak pulse/poor circulation.
• Gastrointestinal disturbances.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Cyanosis, or blue tint to lips and fingernails.
• Coma and death in overdose situations.

Note that one of the main symptoms of morphine abuse is constipation. This is slows the normal movement of the digestive tract.

A serious complication of morphine abuse is depressed respiratory function. In some situations, this can cause asphyxia and death. Combining morphine with alcohol or other drugs significantly increases this risk.

Effects of Morphine Abuse

Health Effects

• Alternating periods of alertness and unconsciousness.
• Sleep apnea.
• Problems urinating.
• Weakened immune system.
• Hallucinations.
• Collapsed veins or circulatory inflammation (in intravenous users).
• Increased risk of blood-borne disease (especially in intravenous users).

Mental and Social Effects

• Faking injuries or harming oneself in an attempt to see a doctor for a prescription.
• Poor hygiene.
• Inability to concentrate.
• Change in friends/acquaintances.
• Withdrawal from friends and family.

Withdrawal from opiates such as morphine can be quite uncomfortable, and the unpleasant symptoms sometimes diminish one’s resolve to quit using in the first place. Symptoms of withdrawal from morphine may include:

• Anxiety.
• Chills.
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea and cramps.
• Fast heartbeat and breathing rate.
• Insomnia.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Restlessness.
• Runny nose.
• Sneezing.
• Sweating.
• Weakness.

This information was taken from:

"Morphine Abuse." Symptoms, Signs and Addiction Treatment. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.

http://drugabuse.com/library/morphine-abuse/