Morphine addiction is a serious health issue that affects millions of people around the world. Morphine is mainly used in the treatment of severe pain, but at the same time it causes a high risk of morphine addiction when used incorrectly, so it is necessary to recognize the causes of morphine addiction, its painful symptoms, factors that contribute to increasing the risk of addiction, as well as effective ways to treat this addiction, in order to raise awareness and stimulate early treatment.
What is morphine?
Morphine is a potent opioid drug extracted from the poppy plant (which is the source of morphine and heroin). Acting on the central nervous system to relieve pain, morphine is a cornerstone in the management of moderate to severe pain, whether acute or chronic, and is particularly useful in palliative care, oncology clinics, and vaso-occlusive crises associated with sickle cell disease.
Morphine is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, capsules, injections, and suppositories. Despite its legitimate medical uses, morphine can be addictive when abused, so it is usually prescribed under strict medical supervision and is only available through a limited distribution program called the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for Opioid Medications (REMS) program.
How does morphine work in the body?
Morphine directly affects the opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing the feeling of pain by disrupting the mechanism of nerve signaling between the brain and the body, which leads to reducing the feeling of pain and stimulating the release of chemicals (dopamine) that cause a feeling of comfort and euphoria, but this effect also increases the risk of addiction if used for long periods or in high doses.
Morphine’s short- and long-term effects:
- in the short term: Morphine significantly relieves pain and can induce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and reduced anxiety. However, these effects are associated with several complications, as morphine can cause drowsiness, confusion, and slow breathing, which can be dangerous.
- over the long term: Morphine use can lead to physical dependence and addiction and can cause serious health issues, including respiratory issues, mental health disorders, and increased sensitivity to pain.
About 20% to 30% of people who take opioid analgesics, including morphine, may develop an addiction or abuse of these medications.
Morphine side effects
Although morphine is effective in relieving pain, it may cause a range of side effects ranging from mild to severe, and may include physical, psychological, and behavioral changes as well:
- Mood swings such as anxiety or depression difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Itching or rash
- Drowsiness or sedation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bradycardia
- Constipation
It is important to pay attention to these side effects because they may worsen with prolonged use or misuse of the drug, increasing the risk of morphine addiction.
Morphine addiction causes and contributing factors
Although morphine is strictly controlled as a prescription drug, it still has the potential for abuse, and chronic pain sufferers may misuse their medication to the point of developing a substance use disorder or dependence on prescription medications.
Morphine addiction occurs as a result of the interaction of a range of causes and factors that overlap with each other and increase the likelihood of addiction, and is often the result of continuous misuse of morphine, whether by taking higher doses than prescribed, without a prescription, or in an unprescribed way such as snorting or injecting, which may lead to addiction quickly.
There are many factors contributing to morphine addiction, including:
- Changes in brain chemistry: Over time, the brain’s reward system becomes less responsive to morphine. This effect is known as “tolerance,” where the initial euphoria becomes much less intense, requiring more morphine to achieve the same feeling. This effect is known as “tolerance,” where the initial euphoric feeling becomes much less intense, requiring more morphine to achieve the same feeling. Long-term use of morphine also affects chemical systems and functions in the brain, leading to physical and psychological addiction.
- Psychological factors: Various psychological factors can increase the risk of morphine abuse and addiction. Morphine is used to suppress emotional tension and relieve symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and frequent use of morphine to relieve emotional pain or trauma leads to increased tolerance and addiction.
- Social and environmental factors: Social and economic issues may lead to the use of morphine as a means of coping with these issues, increasing the likelihood of developing an addiction. Parental guidance and the influence and pressure of addicted peers also play a large role in the development of addiction.
- Genetic factors: Genetic components may contribute to some people being more susceptible to addiction than others, with some studies suggesting that people with a family history of addiction may be more likely to be addicted to opioids such as morphine.
- Chronic health disorders: Patients with chronic pain such as cancer or severe injuries may be recommended to use morphine for prolonged periods of time, which may contribute to the development of morphine addiction if not carefully monitored.
- Gender: Women are more likely than men to have long-term pain, and compared to men, women are more likely to be prescribed opioids (morphine), given higher doses, and used for longer periods of time.
- Early exposure to morphine: People who are exposed to morphine early in life, either medically or non-medically, are more likely to become addicted to it in the future.
- Long-term exposure: Using morphine for long periods of time or in large doses leads to the development of physical and psychological dependence, which increases the risk of addiction.
Symptoms of morphine addiction: How can they be recognized?
The psychological and physical signs and symptoms of morphine addiction include the following:
- Poisoning: Morphine overdoses can lead to toxicity, affecting the function of vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, and may cause organ failure.
- Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing is one of the most common symptoms of morphine addiction and can become life-threatening in severe cases.
- Distorted perception: The addict loses the ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, making it difficult to make good decisions
- Problems with attention, memory, and coordination as morphine affects cognitive abilities.
- Chronic constipation: Morphine slows down bowel movements, leading to persistent constipation.
- Mood swings: An addict may experience mood swings such as feelings of euphoria and depression.
- Fatigue and persistent muscle pain due to the effects of morphine on the body
- Smaller than normal pupil size
- Anxiety, stress, and confusion
- Reduced pain sensation
- Stuttering
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
Morphine withdrawal symptoms and how to deal with them
Addiction typically begins with morphine tolerance, the need for larger doses of morphine to feel its effects. Once tolerance develops, addicts experience withdrawal symptoms when not taking morphine, and these symptoms can be very unpleasant, especially for heavy users. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the user’s tolerance, their general health as well as the frequency and duration of their use. Common morphine withdrawal symptoms include
- Pain: The person feels severe body pains such as muscle aches as a result of the withdrawal of morphine from their system.
- Agitation, anxiety, and depression: A person becomes more nervous and irritable when they stop using morphine.
- Excessive sweating: Abnormally increased sweating is a sign of morphine withdrawal.
- Insomnia: An addicted person has difficulty sleeping when trying to stop morphine.
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- High blood pressure
- Yawning and sneezing
- Goosebumps
- Fever
- Headache
- Diarrhea
Although morphine withdrawal symptoms are not usually life-threatening, they can be very severe in some cases. Fortunately, morphine withdrawal symptoms can be managed with minimal discomfort through medical detoxification, a process that also minimizes the risk of relapse.
How to recognize morphine addiction
It can be difficult to determine whether a person is addicted to morphine or simply trying to control their pain, and although morphine can greatly benefit people suffering from chronic pain, it is a highly abused drug. Diagnosing morphine addiction is difficult and depends on three main things:
- Medical history: Long-term use of morphine can make a person more susceptible to addiction, and if the doctor’s instructions are not followed, symptoms of addiction can appear gradually.
- Behavioral signs: Changes in behavior such as running away from daily responsibilities or the constant need for morphine are signs of morphine addiction.
- Medical evaluation: If a person is experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, they should consult a doctor for a proper medical evaluation and find out if there is a morphine addiction.
Warning signs of risks related to morphine addiction
Morphine addiction poses a significant risk to physical and mental health, and there are several warning signs of addiction-related risks to watch out for:
- Increased need for dosage: Where a person needs a higher dose to get the same effect, this condition is called tolerance, which means that the body needs more of the substance to achieve the same result.
- Morphine withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, and nausea indicate that the person has become physically dependent on morphine.
- Unusual behavior: Family or friends may notice noticeable changes in behavior, such as an urgent need for morphine or hiding or lying about using it.
- Health issues such as constant fatigue or loss of energy as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal issues such as constipation due to the side effects of morphine.
- Losing interest in normal activities such as work, study, or social interactions and avoiding friends and family due to preoccupation with morphine.
- Anxiety, depression, and negative personal and professional effects are common side effects of morphine addiction.
How to treat morphine addiction: From psychotherapy to pharmacotherapy
Overcoming morphine addiction is a difficult process, however, recovery is possible with a proper treatment plan that includes several treatment options, including:
- Withdrawal and detoxification treatment: Often the first step in the treatment of morphine addiction, it aims to enable the addict to stop taking the addictive morphine (narcotic) as quickly and safely as possible, this can be done on an outpatient basis, while others may need hospitalization or an inpatient treatment center. Detoxification treatment involves gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily replacing it with other substances, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
- Morphine overdose treatment: In the case of an opioid (morphine) overdose, a drug called naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioid medications.
- Psychotherapy and support systems: Psychotherapy is an essential part of treatment. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people understand their addiction and develop coping strategies, and support systems such as addiction treatment programs and family involvement can play a vital role, providing emotional support, accountability, and a sense of community, which is critical during recovery.
- Drug treatment: Medications cannot cure morphine addiction on their own, but they can help. These medications can reduce cravings for morphine (opioids) and may help prevent relapse. Drug treatment options for morphine (opioid) addiction include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, as well as a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
- Ongoing treatment: Even after completing initial treatment, ongoing treatment and support can help prevent relapse. Aftercare can include regular appointments with a psychiatrist, continuing a self-help program, or attending a regular group session.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and its role in morphine addiction treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most popular types of talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, where a person works with a certified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or licensed psychotherapist, in structured therapy sessions. The goal of CBT is to help individuals understand the behavioral patterns and thoughts that may be the cause of their psychological issues, thus improving their ability to deal with difficult situations in more effective ways, so CBT is one of the most prominent treatments used in helping individuals suffering from morphine addiction, as it is a structured approach that aims to change behavioral patterns and thoughts that may contribute to the continuation of addiction.
How does cognitive behavioral therapy help with morphine addiction?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps morphine addicts understand the relationship between the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that lead to drug use:
- Changing morphine-related behaviors, such as seeking out drug sources or immersing yourself in environments that encourage drug use.
- Learn techniques for dealing with the cravings and stresses that may drive them toward addiction.
- Identify negative patterns of thinking that lead to the desire to use morphine.
Benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy for morphine addiction
- Managing cravings for morphine: CBT helps individuals minimize the desire to return to the drug by learning strategies to resist these urges.
- Improve communication and socialization: By improving communication skills, CBT can help build strong support networks that enhance the recovery process.
- Reduce relapses: Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches a person how to deal with everyday life situations that may trigger a relapse.
- Enhance coping skills: Helps people build better strategies for dealing with negative emotions or stress without resorting to morphine.
The importance of family and community support in morphine addiction recovery
Family and community support plays an essential role in the process of recovery from morphine addiction, as emotional support from the family helps to create a safe and stimulating environment, which contributes to motivating the addict to adhere to treatment, while the community plays an important role in providing social support opportunities (such as therapeutic groups and professional guidance) that enhance the chances of recovery, and the family also plays a major role in preventing relapse by providing a stable and supportive environment, all these factors make family and community support essential components in rehabilitating the addict and preventing a return to addiction.
Challenges in morphine addiction treatment and how to overcome them
Treatment for morphine addiction faces several challenges:
- Treatment costs: Treatment can be expensive, limiting some addicts’ ability to access proper treatment. This can be overcome through financial support programs or by taking advantage of organizations that offer free or subsidized treatments.
- Relapse: Relapse may occur due to psychological stressors or environmental factors, and this challenge can be overcome through continuous support from family and community, as well as individual and group psychotherapy.
- Physical and psychological dependence: This makes the process of stopping morphine use difficult, and to overcome these challenges, medical techniques such as gradual detoxification under medical supervision can be used.
- Side effects of treatment: Some of the medications used in treatment may lead to side effects, so it is important to monitor these effects and adjust treatment as needed under medical supervision.
- Social isolation: Addicts may feel isolated or rejected by society, and group therapy and support groups can help build supportive social networks.
How to prevent morphine addiction
Prevention of morphine addiction begins with education and responsible use, and understanding the risks associated with morphine use is key to making informed decisions. Some tips on preventing morphine addiction include the following:
- Properly dispose of unused medications to prevent abuse
- Use morphine only as directed by your healthcare professional
- Regularly review your pain management plan with your doctor
- Immediately consult a doctor if you notice signs of addiction
In conclusion, morphine addiction is a major health and mental health challenge that requires a comprehensive intervention that includes medical treatment and family and community support. By following a structured treatment plan and having ongoing support, individuals struggling with morphine addiction can overcome the difficulties encountered during the recovery process. It is important to realize that successful morphine addiction treatment is not easy, but it is possible with the addict’s commitment and willpower, as well as proper care. Awareness of the importance of social support and ongoing treatment is one of the most important foundations for achieving lasting recovery.
Sources:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Opioids
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). Overdose prevention
- Addiction Center. (n.d.). Morphine
