Can You Get Addicted To Morphine

Find out the answer to can you get addicted to morphine and other questions about morphine use

If you or someone you know is taking morphine, it is important to find out as much as you can about the drug, its addiction potential, and other issues related to morphine use. One of the questions that people prescribed morphine frequently ask is “Can you get addicted to morphine?” The answer is yes, morphine is highly addictive. While morphine serves a valid medical need, it has a high potential for abuse. To help you recognize if you or a loved one has become addicted to morphine, we’ve got the answers to common questions about morphine use.

What is morphine?

Morphine is an opioid analgesic medication that is often prescribed for moderate to severe pain. It is a naturally occurring chemical that is extracted from the Asian opium poppy plant. The illegal drug heroin is made using morphine.

Why is morphine addictive?

Morphine acts on certain receptors in the brain, temporarily relieving feelings of pain. In addition to its analgesic effect, morphine also causes feelings of euphoria and sedation. These feelings can lead some users to crave the drug and develop a psychological dependence on it. Since morphine use can also cause physical dependence, users can become severely addicted to morphine. Abusing morphine, by taking more of it than prescribed, taking it for purely recreational reasons, or combining it with alcohol or other drugs, can quickly lead to addiction and dependency.

Can you get addicted to morphine if you take it as directed?

Even if you take morphine exactly as prescribed, you can become addicted to it. Over time, people can develop a tolerance to morphine. That means they need to take increasingly larger doses of the drug in order to achieve the same analgesic effect they originally obtained with a lower dose. When you take any opioid medication for a long period of time you can become physically dependent on it. Trying to stop taking morphine all at once or by “going cold turkey” can induce severe withdrawal symptoms.

What are the side effects of morphine addiction?

There are a number of morphine addiction side effects that develop over time. Learning how to recognize the side effects of morphine addiction can help you identify a problem and get needed help for you or a loved one. The most commonly seen side effects of morphine addiction are increased tolerance, physical dependence, and psychological dependence.

Physical dependence develops because the chemical makeup of morphine is similar to naturally occurring neurotransmitters in the brain. Users’ bodies start producing less of these chemicals, relying on the morphine instead. This causes physical dependence, which produces withdrawal-based side effects such as sleep disturbances, aches and pains, depression, irritability, and anxiety.

As the brain’s reward center becomes used to the feelings of relief and euphoria that comes from morphine use, psychological dependence develops. Individuals begin to focus on obtaining morphine above all else. This drive can produce significant changes in behavior, causing users to neglect work, school, and personal relationships. Again, for those wondering, can you get addicted to morphine, a dependency may already be forming.

Are there effective morphine addiction treatment options available?

If you or someone you know are displaying morphine addiction side effects, there are effective treatment options that can help. For many who are wondering, can you get addicted to morphine, this may be the beginning of a problem. Exploring morphine addiction treatment options should be the next step.

Detox

Detoxing from morphine produces intense withdrawal symptoms. Addiction rehab centers can provide medical detox services and medication therapy to help with the withdrawal symptoms after you stop using morphine.

Inpatient morphine addiction treatment

If you have developed a severe addiction to morphine, attending a residential drug treatment center may be your best option. Typically, effective morphine addiction treatment requires a 28 or 30 day drug rehab program where you receive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and learn relapse prevention skills to help ensure your long-term recovery.

Outpatient morphine addiction treatment

With outpatient morphine addiction rehab, you attend therapy sessions while residing in your own home. If you have family support and your morphine dependency isn’t interfering with your daily life, treatment through an outpatient drug rehab program may work.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.