Morphine is a highly addictive painkiller used to treat chronic pain by acting directly on the central nervous system. Morphine addiction can develop rapidly and a person can experience both a physical and psychological dependency. Morphine is used in a hospital to relieve pain from a heart attack, cancer, sick cell crisis, surgery and trauma, kidney stones, severe back pain and in epidural or intrathecal (space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain or spinal cord) analgesia.

In many controlled scientific studies when comparing the physiological and subjective effects of injectable heroin and morphine in people with a former addiction to opiates, the subjects demonstrated no preference for one drug over the other. While there are several studies that contradict one another, all agree that morphine is a highly addictive substance and long-term morphine addiction can cause tolerance which is similar to heroin addiction.

Tolerance among people with a morphine addiction can happen over a fairly short period of time. There are several hypotheses about why rapid tolerance develops, including opioid receptor dysfunctions. Signs of an addiction to morphine include the person having drug paraphernalia, needles, tourniquets, exhibiting track (needle) marks, reduced sense of pain, slurred speech, blurry vision, pinpoint pupils, chills, sweating, fainting, rash, rigid muscles, uncoordinated muscle movements, abdominal pains, cramps, itching, constipation, hives, facial flushing, sedation, shaking, memory loss, headache, allergic reaction and several other signs.

There are also emotional signs attributable to morphine addiction which can include anxiety, depression, mood swings, paranoia, apprehension, hallucinations, agitation, exaggerated sense of well-being and much more. Symptoms of morphine withdrawals normally occur within 36-72 hours of discontinuing the drug, without proper treatment, the detoxification period can take several days or weeks and the physical cravings can continue for many months.

The slang terms for morphine include M, Big M, Vitamin M, Miss Emma, morph, cube, cube juice, Red Cross, mojo, 13, hocus, unkie, sister, morphy, hard stuff, Sister Morphine and more. Although morphine is cheap, populations in poorer countries oftentimes have no access to the drug. As of 2005, according to the International Narcotics Control Board Australia, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and the United States consume approximately 79% of the world's morphine supply, meaning morphine addiction is rare in poor countries.

Some countries do not regularly import morphine and in other countries the drug is rarely, if ever, available for relieving severe pain even in those who are dying. Pain management experts believe the under-distribution of morphine is because of the unwarranted fear of the drugs potential for abuse and addiction. Though it is addictive, more western physicians believe it is better to use morphine and wean the patient off once treatment has subsided.

The reality of an addiction to morphine can be extremely dangerous and damaging to a person. Research has shown that though morphine is highly addictive, with proper treatment and medical intervention it can be successfully overcome. If you or someone you love is experiencing the symptoms of an addiction to morphine, there is help available, contact the admissions office of Transformations Treatment Center today for further information.