Morphine Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & Treatments

What to Know About Morphine

Morphine is a non-synthetic opioid, made from the opium poppy. It impacts the mind and body in similar ways to other opioids: oxycontin, heroin, fentanyl, Vicodin, and many more. This is in a Schedule II class of drugs, regulated by the government due to its risk of harm to people who use it. Opioid use in general, including morphine, has risen in use in recent years.

It is considered criminal to share a morphine prescription with someone else, and it’s also criminal to buy and sell this illicitly. Common street names include Dreamer, Emsel, First Line, God’s Drug, Hows, MS, Mister Blue, Morpho, and Unkie.

Other opioid drugs similar to morphine are:

• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Fentanyl
• Codeine
• Methadone
• Tramadol
• Heroin
• Kratom

What is Morphine Used For?

Morphine was developed to treat pain, and can bring a temporary feeling of euphoria, or a dreamlike state. While it was created as a pain treatment, it is highly addictive, tolerance develops quickly, and it can have dangerous effects when taken with other medications. Even when it is taken as prescribed by a physician, the risks remain.

How is Morphine Addictive?

Morphine addiction (or more generally, opioid use disorder) is a type of substance use disorder. People can use morphine as prescribed, and still develop a physical reliance on it, even if they don’t exhibit classic addictive behavior.¹

How morphine use disorder presents is very similar to other opioid addictions. All opioids have similar effects on the brain and body, and all have similar patterns of withdrawal. Long-term use comes with greater risks in all areas. Opioid use can cause changes in the brain that aren’t reversible, most often a shrinking in the volume of the amygdala.²

Risk Factors and Causes of Morphine Addiction

There are several risk factors for developing an addiction. Risk factors, like genetic and environmental factors, are elements that may lead someone to develop a substance use disorder when someone else wouldn’t. Morphine use disorder often starts when someone is prescribed morphine for pain, and, due to the brain changes that it causes, they find it almost impossible to stop using it.

Once the physician stops prescribing the medication, people often look to family and friends to share their opioids. Many people often purchase morphine or another opioid illicitly. Opioids are extremely powerful and dangerous medications that cause brain changes that make stopping incredibly difficult.

Risk factors that may contribute to addiction include:

• Addiction to other opioids (cross-addiction)
• Family history
• Trauma
• Poverty
• Teenage addiction
• Addictive personality
• Minimal coping skills
• Lack of a support system
• Depression
• Anxiety

Symptoms of Morphine Use and Addiction

The symptoms of morphine misuse are wide-ranging, and can include behavioral, physical, and cognitive symptoms. These symptoms can develop quickly, often within just a few weeks of use. Often, people don’t even realize what the drug is doing to them until other people point it out.

Physical symptoms of morphine misuse include:

• Decreased appetite
• Change in menstrual cycles
• Nausea
• Severe constipation
• Breathing changes

Cognitive and psychological symptoms of morphine misuse include:

• Impaired judgment
• Poor attention span
• Euphoria
• Feeling no control over use
• Preoccupation with the drug

Behavioral symptoms of morphine misuse include:

• Lying
• Medication seeking
• Isolating
• Using other opioids when morphine can’t be found
• Withdrawal symptoms within days of last dose
• Fear and anxiety
• Reduced sex drive

Effects of Morphine Abuse

The misuse of morphine can severely impact activities of daily living and functioning normally. There are both short-term and long-term consequences to use. Some of these symptoms are sudden and dramatic, while some are more subtle and take a bit more time to develop.

Seven effects of morphine abuse include:

1. Psychosis
2. Unintended overdose
3. Death
4. Legal issues
5. Incarceration for illegal procuration
6. Relationship conflicts
7. Financial stress

Co-Occurring Disorders with Morphine Addiction

Morphine addiction can lead to or be paired with additional mental health and substance use disorders. Some people take morphine because they feel it manages their depression, anxiety, or pain (both physical and emotional). Morphine usually only worsens these other conditions and doesn’t help them at all.

There are many co-occurring disorders that we see with morphine addiction:³

• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• PTSD
• ADHD
• Personality disorders
• Borderline personality disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Sleep disorders
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Delirium
• Misuse of other substances
• Panic disorder

Symptoms of Morphine Withdrawal

Morphine withdrawal involves both physical and emotional misery. People don’t have to use very much for very long before they may go through withdrawal if they stop. Withdrawal symptoms can occur within 5-7 days of use.

The longer someone has used morphine, and the higher the dose has been, the more suffering will come during withdrawal. The symptoms occur whether or not someone has been diagnosed with morphine addiction—this can happen when using as prescribed.

Symptoms of morphine withdrawal may include:⁴

• Anxiety
• Muscle aches
• Sweating
• Runny nose
• Dilated pupils
• Yawning
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Insomnia
• Goosebumps
• Nausea
• Negative mood
• Fear
• Restlessness
• Vomiting

Signs of a Morphine Overdose

Any amount of morphine can lead to an overdose. We are now seeing a tremendous amount of morphine that is tainted with fentanyl, which raises the risk of an unintended overdose. This is why the overdose reversal agent, Narcan (naloxone), is so important for families and friends to have on hand. Overdose can occur even in someone who doesn’t have an addiction.

Someone should seek immediate medical attention if they show signs of a morphine overdose, such as:⁵

• Breathing stops or becomes extremely slow and shallow
• Loss of consciousness
• Grayish skin tone
• Limp arms and legs
• Not responding to being spoken to
• Cold, clammy skin
• Slow pulse rate
• Low blood pressure

Treatment for Morphine Addiction

Successful treatment options are available for morphine addiction. For most people, medication is going to be key to effective treatment. Medications such as buprenorphine and methadone are some of the most important treatments available.⁶ Behavioral therapy is also important, and support groups and 12-step programs can be helpful. There are ways to find opioid treatment and make a relapse prevention plan.

Treatment options for morphine addiction include:

Rehab

Rehab for morphine addiction can be helpful but isn’t essential for recovery to begin. Many people are able to begin medication treatment in rehab, even starting that in their home under the guidance of a physician. You can find good information on inpatient vs. outpatient rehab to help with your decision.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

There are many good choices of intensive outpatient treatment programs. This is usually less expensive than inpatient treatment, the person gets to stay in their own home, and can usually continue to work or go to school. These programs typically have people attend for several hours weekly.

Therapeutic Interventions

There are countless options for outpatient therapy, therapy groups, community recovery groups, and 12-step programs.⁷ Insurance usually covers these costs and outcomes are good. It’s important to find the right therapist when seeking counseling.

Therapy options for addressing the effects of a morphine addiction include:

• CBT
• DBT
• EMDR
• Group therapy
• Behavior modification
• Mindfulness techniques

Final Thoughts

A morphine addiction can be life-altering and life-threatening. Please seek professional help if you are misusing morphine or any other opioid. If you care about someone misusing morphine, get help for yourself. If untreated, the consequences are dire. Keep in mind that recovery is possible, healing can occur, and life can be good again.