Morphine addiction

Morphine addiction, also known as opioid use disorder, is characterised by the compulsive need to take morphine despite its negative impact on a person’s life. This mental health disorder is extremely powerful, changing the chemical and physical makeup of the brain. It develops after an individual repeatedly abuses morphine, and the brain and body develop a dependency on the drug.

Morphine is a highly addictive drug, especially after prolonged use. For this reason, in terms of dosage, frequency and administration, it is vital to use the drug only as prescribed by a doctor. Morphine is addictive due to the significant release of dopamine in the brain when taken, resulting in intense feelings of euphoria and relaxation.

These intense surges interact with the brain’s decision-making, reward, and motivation centres, driving the behaviour to repeatedly take morphine over and over to attain the same levels of pleasure.

It can be difficult to spot morphine addiction in your loved one, with people going to great lengths to hide their drug-taking behaviour. Although it manifests in each person differently, general addiction to morphine signs can include:

• Expressing the desire to quit but not being able to
• Using someone else’s prescription or trying to obtain multiple prescriptions
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
• Intense morphine cravings
• Not being able to meet responsibilities
• Uncharacteristic mood swings
• Preoccupation with the drug
• Weight loss

Living with a morphine addiction can damage a person’s health, relationships, career, and future. The effects of morphine addiction can include:

• Deteriorating physical and mental health
• Broken relationships, as morphine becomes the priority
• Loss of job – unable to function professionally
• Legal troubles from possessing a controlled substance
• Increased debt

People suffering from a morphine addiction run the risk of overdose, especially if they procure the substance illicitly and the purity is unregulated. Some may turn to uncharacteristic or criminal behaviour to fund their drug supply, exposing themselves to dangerous environments and compromising positions to satisfy their morphine addiction.

When an individual becomes physically and psychologically dependent on morphine, their body and brain adjust to functioning with a consistent presence of the drug in their system. If the level of morphine in the bloodstream is not maintained or increased, they will experience withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and even life-threatening, ultimately causing people trying to quit the drug alone to relapse.

Some morphine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Sweating
• Yawning
• Dilated pupils
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramping
• Goosebumps
• Insomnia

Acute withdrawal symptoms from morphine usually begin 6 to 12 hours after the last dose and peak within 2 to 4 days.

Common morphine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Diarrhoea
• Muscle aches and pains
• Goosebumps and chills

After the initial withdrawal phase, the symptoms begin to subside. However, individuals may experience lingering withdrawals, such as anxiety, morphine cravings, and fatigue. These morphine withdrawal symptoms can persist for weeks or even months after.

Each person’s morphine withdrawal timeline can differ depending on several factors, including:

• The length of time you have abused morphine
• The quantities of morphine you have abused
• History of addiction
• Age
• Weight
• Genetics
• Medical history

The first step in overcoming a morphine addiction is medical detox. During this phase, individuals receive comprehensive care and supervision from medical professionals to ensure safety and maximise comfort throughout the morphine detox process. Medication is commonly prescribed to ease morphine detox symptoms, enhancing the effectiveness of the morphine detox journey compared to attempting to quit morphine without medical support.

For individuals trapped in the all-consuming grip of morphine addiction, there is a reason for hope, as comprehensive treatment options are readily accessible to help you regain control over your life.

A morphine rehab programme offers a structured and supportive environment designed to assist individuals in overcoming their addiction to morphine. Oasis Bradford provides a comprehensive approach to treatment that encompasses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction recovery.

Some examples of rehab tactics used in Oasis Bradford:

• Behavioural Therapies: We employ various evidence-based behavioural therapies to address addiction’s psychological and emotional aspects. Dialectical-behavioural therapy (DBT) and holistic therapies are among the most utilised.
• Group Therapy: Connecting with peers who are experiencing similar challenges is encouraged at Oasis Bradford. The group sessions provide a supportive environment for sharing experiences, gaining insights, and creating a sense of community.
• Aftercare: Our well-rounded rehab programme will equip individuals with the essential life skills to maintain sobriety after treatment; this includes aftercare. At Oasis Bradford, we will continue to support and offer resources needed throughout the transition back to daily rehab.

Addressing addiction’s physical, psychological, and social aspects throughout rehab will allow individuals to reclaim control over their lives and have a lasting recovery.

Battling morphine addiction can feel like walking a mountain that you can’t see the top of. However, you can only reach its peak once you start climbing.

At Oasis Bradford, our compassionate, expert team understands the difficulties of battling addiction and is committed to offering round-the-clock physical and psychological help. For more information on our morphine addiction treatment plans and how we can help you gain control over your life again, please contact Oasis Recovery today.

Frequently Asked Questions