Morphine Pills | Morphine Pill Dosage and High

Morphine is known the world over as the premier drug for the treatment of pain. What some may not know, however, is that the drug occurs naturally in opium poppy plants. This discovery was made, and morphine isolated from the plant for medical applications, in the beginning of the 19th century.

Since then, morphine has been the go-to choice for physicians looking to address pain associated with any number of injuries, surgeries, and long-term ailments. In addition to its own medicinal usage, morphine is the precursor from which other painkillers like codeine or oxycodone are derived. So, whether it is for tooth pain or chronic pain management for cancer patients, morphine has been an integral drug in health care for hundreds of years now.

Counter to its beneficial nature, morphine has an underlying darker disposition for some people. Like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and even heroin, morphine is part of the group of drugs known as opioids and opiates. In fact, morphine is the first opioid of them all — laying the groundwork for centuries of effective pain relief and, unfortunately, illicit misuse as well. Even when taken as prescribed, opioids can have dangerous repercussions, namely, dependence and substance use disorders. These consequences are exacerbated by non-intended use patterns, such as when the drugs are used for recreational purposes. Thousands of individuals succumb to morphine overdoses annually, and tens of thousands more to its deadlier derivatives.

No matter the form it may take, morphine is a drug that has associated risks and benefits. These two traits never seem to be mutually exclusive, and there will almost always be some overlap, so a thorough understanding of what one may be getting themselves into is a vital first step.