Canadian Addiction Rehab Recovering from Morphine Addiction | Page 6

Morphine Addiction - The historical
beginnings and problem of today
 Morphine was discovered in 1804 by a German scientist. This scientist
separated this drug from opium. It is true that morphine is derived from the
poppy plant. This drug became widely popular during the civil war.
Morphine was used for wounded soldiers and the aftermath of that was a
huge addiction problem with over 40,000 soldiers.
 Morphine works on the central nervous system and can be taken several
different ways. It can be taken by pill, syrup, liquid, or suppository. It is a
scheduled two controlled narcotic but can be prescribed by a physician.
Morphine is used as a painkiller. Commonly used after surgery or to help
chronic pain issues. Unfortunately, it now has become the most addictive
drug with a high rate of relapse after rehabilitation.
 Morphine has become such a problem of today because worldwide there is
about 40 million people who are addicted to morphine. In the United States
it has accounted for over 20,000 deaths. Once morphine is taken, a person’s
breathing is slowed. This becomes serious in an overdose because it can
stop the lung function.