Doctors often prescribe individuals morphine to alleviate their moderate, severe, and chronic pain. Taking morphine induces a dreamy, euphoric feeling. This Schedule II drug usually comes in tablet and syrup form. Morphine can also be injected, taken nasally and transdermally, or even smoked. Street names for morphine include Miss Emma, monkey, M, and white stuff.

People use morphine to manage their pain after surgeries, cancer-related discomfort, and palliative care at the end of life. Morphine’s accessibility along with the pleasurable feelings that it induces makes it highly addictive.

Prescribed morphine is now manufactured to deter abuse, but this doesn’t impact illicitly produced morphine. Regardless of how people obtain morphine the drug, they must attend opiate addiction rehabilitation treatment programs to overcome their addictions.

Side Effects of Morphine Use

Short-term side effects of morphine substance abuse include:

  • Chest pain
  • Nervousness
  • Hallucinations
  • Decreased libido
  • A false sense of well-being
  • Severe respiratory depression

Long-term side effects of morphine substance abuse include:

  • Confusion
  • Restlessness
  • Collapsed veins
  • Suppressed immune system

Using morphine without a prescription is abuse and a criminal offense. It can be difficult to tell if a person is abusing morphine if that person has a prescription. Thus, look for the following signs of morphine abuse and addiction so that you know whether or not it’s time for opiate addiction treatment:

  • Inattention
  • Nodding off
  • Legal issues
  • Mood swings
  • Dilated pupils
  • Slurred speech
  • Doctor shopping
  • Shallow breathing
  • Isolation from loved ones

Morphine Withdrawal

Withdrawal from morphine feels similar to withdrawal from heroin as it produces withdrawal symptoms such as:

  • Tremors
  • Irritability
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Chills and sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Depression and anxiety

Quitting morphine using the cold turkey method is quite uncomfortable. When someone quits drugs cold turkey, they stop taking substances abruptly without detox, weaning, or medication assistance. Furthermore, research shows that sudden morphine cessation increases the risk of inflammation and damage to healthy brain cells.

Clinical detoxification is the safest, most effective way to get clean from morphine. After completing morphine detox, individuals should attend opiate addiction treatment. North Jersey Recovery Center can be at your side to support you every step of the way to morphine-free living.