Both OxyContin and morphine are in a class of drugs called narcotic pain relievers or opioids. Despite their medical usefulness, some major problems occur when you begin to abuse them. Many people who take these drugs wind up experiencing at least one of the dangers posed by OxyContin and morphine.
Addiction and Abuse
Both morphine and OxyContin are extremely addictive and easy to abuse. They stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain, causing you to feel euphoric. Not only does this damage your ability to feel pleasure, it also damages the opioid receptors. This damage results in the desire to abuse the drug, which can lead to dependence and addiction.
If you are already addicted, you can end it; all you have to do is call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?). We can help.
Long Term Physical and Mental Damage
In addition to addiction and abuse, these two drugs also cause a great deal of long term damage. Although some of it is reversible, some of it is permanent. Possible damage includes the following:
Abusing OxyContin and Morphine can lead to long-term health problems.
- Liver disease
- Cardiac damage and heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Skin disorders from injecting
- HIV
- Hepatitis B
- Loss of feelings of pleasure
- Lung damage
These dangers get worse the longer you use opioids.
Legal Complications
If you are using these drugs without a prescription, doctor shopping, or have more than your prescribed amount, you could face legal consequences. Using morphine or OxyContin without a prescription is illegal. If you are caught with more than your prescribed amount or in possession without a prescription, you face:
- Prosecution
- Incarceration
- Loss resulting from incarceration
- Trafficking charges
Since prescription opioid abuse is at an all-time high, officers look for the signs of abuse. If you do it for long enough, you will be caught.
Death
There were approximately 14,000 deaths due to opioid overdose in the United States in 2014, according to the Center for Disease Control. Death due to opioids like morphine and OxyContin is becoming an epidemic.
Death caused by overdose is usually the result of mixing the drugs with another substance or simply taking too much of the drug. Although a few people do this intentionally, most do it because:
- They went through detox and their tolerance has lowered
- They are not paying attention to what they are taking
- They are not paying attention to how much they are taking
If an overdose is caught early enough, there is a chance of survival. Unfortunately, many people are not found in time.
Withdrawal
According to the National Library of Medicine, 4.3 million people use painkillers without a prescription. If you are one of these people, chances are you face withdrawal when you stop using it.
Morphine and OxyContin withdrawal is often referred to as the worst withdrawal possible. Although withdrawal itself is not deadly, it is miserable and is one of the major causes of relapse.
Fortunately, there is help. If you seek treatment, a program can give you medications to slow down or stop the withdrawal symptoms from OxyContin and morphine. To find a treatment center to help you, call 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?).
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