Morphine Addiction

Morphine addiction can be debilitating. Often, it develops from an innocent painkiller prescription that’s overused. In this post, leading addiction rehabilitation specialists, Avenues Recovery, explore what morphine is, why it can be addictive, its short-term and long-term effects, and treatment options.

What Is Morphine?

Morphine is a powerful opioid pain medication derived from the opium poppy. Doctors use morphine to treat severe pain, especially after surgery, during cancer treatment, or for end-of-life care. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block pain signals and produce relief.  Morphine can be taken as a pill, liquid, or by injection.

Street names for morphine may include:

• M
• Miss Emma
• Monkey
• Roxanol
• White Stuff

Trade names and brand names for morphine include:

• AVINza
• Morphabond
• MS Contin
• Oramorph SR
• Roxanol
• Roxanol-T
• Kadian

Is Morphine Addictive?

Yes, morphine can be extremely addictive. Morphine addiction develops for several reasons and is often the result of consistent abuse.

The nature of addiction is that a person's body eventually gets used to a drug, and they will need increasingly larger doses of morphine to feel its effects. This is known as tolerance. Once tolerance develops, users will experience withdrawal symptoms when they don't take morphine, which can make quitting extremely difficult.

In many cases, psychological dependence on morphine develops soon after physical dependence. This means that someone addicted to morphine will compulsively look for and abuse it, even though they know it's causing them harm.

Morphine addiction is similar to heroin addiction and can be very challenging to overcome. Suddenly stopping the use of morphine can be extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant. That's why a medically managed detoxification, where a healthcare provider helps you stop using the drug safely, is often the best way to get morphine out of your body. 

How Addictive Is Morphine?

Morphine can be highly addictive due to the rapid development of tolerance. Classified as a Schedule II drug, it is primarily prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Doctors also administer morphine to patients after major surgeries, for cancer-related pain, and to assist with end-of-life breathing difficulties.

Using morphine improperly can be risky. Some individuals may misuse it solely to experience the pleasurable, dreamy sensations it provides, even if they don't require it for pain relief.

To deter misuse, some morphine pills now include special codes that prevent them from being crushed, snorted, or injected. While this has reduced the potential for addiction with prescribed morphine, there are still risks associated with illegally manufactured versions.

Morphine Addiction in the Military

Morphine addiction has a long history in the military, dating back to the American Civil War when the painkiller was widely used to treat battlefield injuries. Thousands of wounded soldiers developed dependence on the drug, a condition so common it became known as “soldier’s disease.” Estimates by Ohio State University suggest that more than 400,000 veterans became addicted to morphine after the war. Morphine continued to be a frontline medication in later conflicts, including World War I and World War II, where it remained a lifesaving yet risky treatment for severe pain. While modern medical practice has shifted toward broader classes of opioids, morphine still carries the same potential for addiction, particularly among service members recovering from combat injuries. This history highlights how quickly a medication intended for relief can turn into a lasting struggle with dependence.

Statistics on Morphine Abuse

According to statistics, millions of people in the United States misuse prescription pain medications like morphine. 

• More than half of accidental drug deaths in the US were caused by heroin and morphine.
• 10% of the US population has abused an opiate drug in their lifetime.
• The number of morphine addicts admitted to the emergency room increased by 106% between the years of 2004 and 2008, and that continues to rise.
• More than 60% of morphine addicts admitted to getting the drug from friends or relatives.

Short-Term Side Effects of Morphine Addiction

Short-term side effects of morphine abuse include: 

• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Brain fog
• Constipation and gut problems
• Changes in sleep patterns and quality of sleep
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth and eyes
• Depression
• Dizziness
• False perception of pain
• Lethargy
• Hallucinations
• Memory problems and forgetfulness
• Mood swings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Reduced appetite
• Reduced awareness and decision-making skills
• Reduced cognitive ability and motor skills
• Respiratory depression
• Seizures
• Slurred or delayed speech

Morphine Long-Term Effects

Aside from its short-term effects, morphine brings long-term risks as well. Long-term effects of morphine include: 

• Tolerance (the need for increasing amounts of morphine)
• Dependence (experiencing withdrawal symptoms from missing a dose or trying to stop morphine)
• Morphine withdrawal symptoms
• Addiction

How to Tell if Someone Is Addicted to Morphine

If you're worried that someone you love might be addicted to morphine, here are some morphine addiction symptoms and signs to look out for:

• Appearing drunk
• Speaking slurred, slow, or delayed
• Nodding in and out of sleep
• Appearing extremely drowsy
• Appearing to be in a trance-like or dream-like state
• Showing pinpoint pupils
• Euphoric
• Slumping or in another very relaxed position
• Unsteady on their feet or knocking things over
• Reduced respiratory rate, slow or shallow breathing
• Neglecting personal hygiene and grooming
• Drastic change in weight or appearance
• Isolating from friends and family
• Displaying frequent mood swings or irritability
• Withdrawing socially and losing interest in hobbies or activities
• Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school
• Suffering from frequent flu-like symptoms
• Lying or being secretive about their activities
• Experiencing financial problems or sudden financial instability
• Borrowing or stealing money or valuables

Morphine Addiction Treatment Options

Morphine addiction may feel daunting to overcome, but there are several treatment options available. Treatment choices include:

• Therapy
• Counseling
• Medication

By reaching out to a doctor or a morphine addiction rehab center for morphine addiction help, these professionals can advise you in getting the best course of treatment for your recovery.

Get Help for Morphine Addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with a morphine addiction, don't hesitate to seek help. Avenues Recovery can help you recover and live a healthier, happier life. No one is beyond help. We provide highly professional and caring addiction counselors to help you break free of your addiction and live a sober life. Our expert staff use evidence-based therapies and a holistic approach to get your life back on track. Contact Avenues to experience premier care coupled with empathy, support, and guidance every step of the way. You don't have to face this journey alone — reach out to us today and take your first step towards the morphine-free future you deserve.

FAQs About Morphine Addiction

What does morphine addiction look like?

Morphine addiction often shows up through both physical and behavioral changes. Someone may appear drowsy, nod off at unusual times, have pinpoint pupils, or seem confused or detached. Over time, people with morphine addiction may neglect responsibilities, struggle financially, isolate from loved ones, and show drastic changes in mood, weight, or hygiene.

How addictive is morphine compared to other opioids?

Morphine is highly addictive and, like heroin, carries a strong risk of dependence. Tolerance builds quickly, meaning people need higher doses to feel the same effects, which increases the risk of misuse and overdose.

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

Yes. Even when taken under medical supervision, prolonged use of morphine can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Doctors carefully monitor dosage to reduce these risks.

What are the withdrawal symptoms of morphine?

Withdrawal from morphine can include anxiety, restlessness, sweating, runny nose, muscle aches, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intense cravings. Medical detox is usually recommended for safety and comfort.

How can I help someone struggling with morphine addiction?

The best way to help someone with morphine addiction is encouraging them to seek professional support. Addiction treatment programs often combine medication, counseling, and therapy to help people detox safely and build long-term recovery skills.