Morphine is a drug name that most people are familiar with to some degree, although they may only have a cursory understanding of what it does and how it affects the human body. Because it is an addictive narcotic, it is helpful to understand a few important morphine facts, particularly if you think you might be developing a problem with the drug or know someone who is abusing or addicted to it. Morphine abuse statistics may prove useful in encouraging an addict to contact BetterAddictionCare and seek help through our nationwide treatment and recovery network. Learning morphine drug facts can also help the family members of addicts who are currently undergoing treatment as they provide support, which is crucial to a successful recovery.

Facts About Morphine

History is a good place to start when reviewing the facts about morphine. In 1804, the drug was discovered by Freidrich Sert?rner, a scientist from Germany who isolated morphine from opium. He named it after the Greek god of dreams, Morpheus, when he originally gave it the name “morphium.” It was widely used during the Civil War in the treatment of wounded soldiers; however, the use of morphine had created more than 40,000 addicts by the time the war ended. The use of the drug was greatly restricted in 1914 by the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act, although it could be prescribed by a physician for what were considered normal treatments at the time.

One of the most basic morphine facts is that the drug derives from poppies. Morphine is extracted from the seed pod of the poppy plant and is the most active substance in opium. It is used to make heroin, another highly addictive drug. Some heroin addicts may substitute morphine for heroin or vice versa, as they look and react similarly. The drug is an opioid analgesic that affects the central nervous system to reduce pain levels. Additionally, it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. It can be taken by mouth in pill or syrup form. It is also available as a suppository, or it may be administered by injection into the vein or muscle or under the skin.

Morphine Statistics

A number of morphine statistics illustrate how dangerous and problematic opioid painkillers such as morphine have been over the years. In 2014, the consumption of morphine in the United States was approximately 73.8 mg per capita. In 2015, studies showed that roughly 2 million people in the U.S. had issues involving opioid painkillers, which include morphine, and substance abuse. Within that same year, addiction to morphine and other opioids was responsible for as many as 20,101 deaths by overdose. Worldwide, as many as 36 million people abuse opioids, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Getting some of the facts about morphine is an important step toward rehabilitation and addiction recovery. When looking for a treatment facility, it should have a highly trained staff that will make you feel safe and comfortable as you go through the rehabilitation process. At BetterAddictionCare, our network of treatment centers meet those requirements, are cost-effective, and accept a number of private insurance plans. Our interactions with you are 100 percent confidential, and our professional client care specialists are here to help you find the individualized care that you require. They’ll even help you coordinate transportation if necessary. Call today or fill out our contact form for a call back to get started on the road to recovery.