Some Morphine Addiction Statistics

Morphine is an opium-based drug used as a cough-suppressant, a pain killer, and pre-surgery pain reliever. It may also be prescribed to counter anxiety and fear by inducing euphoria. Morphine is widely abused and has a potential for addiction owing to its euphoric properties. Morphine addiction is a national concern and listed below are some statistics pertaining to morphine addiction.

Statistics on Morphine Addiction

• In the United States, citizens spend close to $500 billion on morphine addiction when healthcare costs, accident costs, criminal justice costs, lost employment costs, crime costs, etc.., are factored in.
• Morphine addiction is a treatable illness. A morphine addict can recover with suitable medical support and supervision. The average age of first-time users of morphine according to a poll conducted was 21.3 years. The development of morphine addiction is very rapid if an individual consistently abuses morphine.
• Major morphine withdrawal symptoms kick in about 36 hours after the last dose and they peak between 36 and 72 hours.
• Without any treatment, morphine withdrawal symptoms run for about 5 to 7 days. However, cravings for the drug may last for months after the withdrawal.
• Morphine addicts have the highest relapse rates among drug abusers. The probability of a relapse is dramatically increased when the behavioral factors that have contributed to the addiction have not been changed.
• Heroin was initially marketed as a cure for morphine addiction, but it was soon discovered that morphine rapidly metabolized into morphine itself.
• Over 60% of morphine addicts indicate that they obtained the drug from friends or unknown relatives.
• Morphine addiction has been rated as the third highest cause for emergency room admissions. The first is alcohol and drug combination followed by cocaine addiction.
• In the year 1999, morphine and heroin alone were responsible for more than 50% of the drug fatalities in the United States.About two-thirds of morphine addicts report to have been sexually abused or harassed as children.
• Morphine addiction/abuse is linked to many of the major crimes committed in the United States.
• Morphine withdrawal symptoms are rarely life threatening; however, the convulsions and seizures that may be caused can be dangerous.
• Stress is a major factor that is cited in morphine drug abuse and addiction.
• Those who were injecting opiates like morphine were using it for about 14 years before attempting any kind of treatment for the addiction.
• Morphine addicts focus on obtaining a steady source of morphine.
• Emergency room visits by morphine addicts increased by 106% between the years 2004 and 2008. This increase was in seen in both male and female addicts across a wide demographic spectrum.
• Jobs with highest rates of morphine abuse were those related to construction, those connected to media and the arts, and those in the food service industry. Anesthesia, psychiatry, and emergency medicine had higher rates of morphine abuse /addiction within the healthcare industry.
• According to International Narcotics Board, drug manufacturers made nearly 416 tons of morphine in the year 2010. That year, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, United States and some European nations consumed over 93% of the 416 tons.
• Between the years of 1992 and 2003, misuse of opioids including morphine rose to 140 percent. This high rate of abuse led to an increased number of people who became addicted and physically dependent on the drug.
• About 2 million Americans are now dependent/addicted on opioids such as morphine.
• Morphine addiction alters the way an individual thinks and behaves. The behavioral and emotional changes caused by morphine addiction vary by individuals.According to estimates, for every dollar that is invested in opioid addiction treatment that includes treatment for morphine dependence, the return on investment is close to $4 to $7 due to a reduction of crime, criminal justice, and theft costs. If healthcare costs are factored in, the ratio is about 12:1 for every dollar that is spent.
• Psychosocial counseling is seen to be an important part of morphine addiction treatment.There has been an increase in using opioids legitimately and, at the same time abuse and addiction have also grown. Opioid abuse/addiction deaths including that caused by morphine addiction rose by 63% between 1999 and 2004.Investigations have indicated prevalence of drug abuse/addiction (including morphine) between 20% and 58% in those patients who were receiving the drugs for overcoming chronic pain.
• Increase of the morphine supply through the pharmaceutical chain has been cited as an indirect cause for morphine addiction. The supply was 96 mg per individual in 1997. It increased over 600% to 700 mg per person in the year 2007.