Morphine – About, Uses and Abuse

Morphine is commonly used in hospital settings to provide pain relief and is prescribed to patients to manage moderate to severe pain at home. However, morphine is a habit-forming drug with the potential to cause abuse, dependence, and addiction when used for too long or when used incorrectly. Morphine addiction can be highly difficult to overcome due to severe withdrawal symptoms and strong drug cravings, but a drug rehab center like Dana Point Rehab Campus can help you and others safely recover from morphine addiction.

What Is Morphine?

Morphine is a natural substance extracted from the opium poppy plant. Morphine is a prescription opioid drug available in the form of capsules, tablets, and a liquid solution that can be injected or infused into a vein. Like other medications in the opioid drug class, morphine binds to receptors in the body and brain that control feelings of pain and pleasure to produce effects including pain relief, euphoria, and relaxation.

How Do People Get Addicted to Morphine?

Morphine addiction usually begins with a doctor’s prescription following a surgery or injury. Current opioid prescribing guidelines released by the CDC state that doctors should prescribe the lowest possible effective dosage and the smallest amount of pills needed; however, some doctors prescribe higher amounts than what their patients truly need. This results in patients using morphine for longer than needed or leaves them with an abundance of unused pills that can be used for recreation or used by relatives and friends who don’t have a prescription. All these factors increase the risk of dependence and addiction to morphine.

Can Morphine Cause an Overdose?

Yes, morphine may cause an overdose when used in higher amounts than prescribed, or when combined with other substances such as alcohol, prescription sedatives, and illicit drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2018, prescription opioids like morphine were involved in 14,975 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. SAMHSA reports that from 2011 to 2015, the number of visits to emergency department rooms involving morphine increased by 120 percent from 15,762 visits to 34,593 visits.

These statistics include only the deaths and hospital visits that were officially reported; however, there are many more people in the U.S. who are suffering in silence from morphine addiction and need help. Anyone who needs help fighting and overcoming morphine addiction can find the professional support they need at a drug rehab center.

How Is Morphine Addiction Treated?

Treatment for morphine addiction begins with drug detox. Drug detox takes place at a drug rehab center like Dana Point Rehab Campus where patients can relax and be closely monitored by nurses and doctors as they withdraw from morphine. Medical detox treats the physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal and involves the use of medications that reduce, relieve, or eliminate morphine withdrawal symptoms.

After completing morphine detox, most patients transition into a drug rehab program to receive behavioral therapy that helps them change harmful behaviors surrounding drug abuse and addiction. All treatment programs are tailored to each patient based on the circumstances surrounding their addiction and their unique recovery and health needs. Inpatient residential rehab programs generally last 30 days, though some patients choose to stay 60 to 90 days or longer until they feel comfortable and ready to resume their daily lives outside of rehab.

Drug Rehab Treatment for Morphine Addiction

Drug rehab centers operated by Dana Point Rehab Campus use drug detox and evidence-based behavioral therapies to help their patients achieve long-term recovery from morphine addiction. Contact us today at 949.569.7517 to learn more about our detox and inpatient residential rehab programs for drug abuse and addiction.