Morphine sulfate (Roxanol) is a narcotic analgesic. Morphine sulfate for oral administration is used for the treatment of severe, chronic pain. It binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system and some other tissues. Morphine sulfate is made from opium. It is a type of opiate and a type of analgesic agent.
Morphine is named after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, and provides a feeling of euphoria oft-described as a dreamlike state. The drug can be taken in the form of a tablet, syrup, or injection. In some cases, morphine can even be smoked.
Morphine has the potential to be highly addictive, as tolerance to it develops rapidly. A federally designated Schedule II drug, morphine is used to treat moderate, severe, and chronic pain. It is also used for pain relief after major surgeries, treatment for cancer-related pain, and shortness of breath at the end of a patient’s life.
However, morphine also runs a high potential of abuse because of its pleasurable effects and relative accessibility. In recent years, morphine pills have added abuse deterrent coding so that they cannot be crushed, snorted, or injected. While this has reduced the addictive potential of prescribed morphine, it has not eliminated its potential and it has not impacted illicitly manufactured morphine.
Morphine Sulfate Street Value
Some of the common street or slang names for morphine include M, Miss Emma, monkey, roxanol and white stuff. Morphine is a naturally occurring substance extracted from either the opium poppy plant or concentrated poppy straw. Its chemical makeup is similar to heroin, as they are both extracted from the same plant.
Around 70% of people who abused prescription pain relievers like Morphine sulphate got them from friends or relatives. Even though it may seem harmless to share prescription drugs with a friend or family member, doing so involves many risks with potentially dangerous consequences. It’s Illegal: Federal and state law prohibits the sharing of prescription drugs that are controlled substances.
Although Illegal street morphine sales is less common when compared to similar drugs like oxycodone and hydrocodone, understanding the price of Morphine on the street in comparison to its legal counterpart is important. Street Price Data are collected by local law enforcement, they have only occasionally been reported at a national level and are rarely made available for public health research.
The street prices for morphine sulphate are location dependent and according to available data they are as follows;
- Morphine 15 mg street value: $5-50/tab
- Morphine Sulfate 30 Mg Street value: $10-50/tab
- Morphine sulfate ER 60 mg street value: $10 -60/tab
- Morphine sulfate ER 100 mg tablets street value: $20-70/tab
NB: The average Street price of morphine sulphate in locations where the drug is not being abused irrespective of milligram is $0.52 according to available studies. SEE: Is Dilaudid Stronger Than Morphine
Drug Abuse And Dependence
Morphine Sulfate, a narcotic, is a Schedule II controlled substance under the Federal Controlled Substance Act. As with other narcotics, some patients may develop a physical and psychological dependence on morphine. They may increase dosage without consulting a physician and subsequently may develop a physical dependence on the drug. In such cases, abrupt discontinuance may precipitate typical withdrawal symptoms, including convulsions. Therefore the drug should be withdrawn gradually from any patient known to be taking excessive dosages over a long period of time.
The National Institutes of Health lists the following treatment options typically prescribed for addiction to opioid drugs like morphine:
Medication: Prescription drugs like methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, and others can help with withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for morphine. According to the drug label for Revia, a brand of naltrexone, the drug causes opioids such as morphine to be less effective in providing a high and may also counteract the effects of physical dependence.
Counseling and psychological therapy: Individual counseling, group therapy, and behavioral modification programs may help you figure out your drug use motivation, change negative thinking patterns and encourage your motivation to get clean, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Medication-assisted therapy (MAT): According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), medication-assisted therapy combines medications, counseling, and behavior therapy programs to address addiction in a way that is uniquely tailored for each patient.
Finding Treatment Centers Near You
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, finding nearby addiction centers can start with a conversation with your primary care doctor. Your provider can recommend treatment options and addiction specialists. Several online resources can help you locate a morphine addiction treatment center nearby. You can search for treatment centers by zip code on https://findtreatment.gov/ or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SEE: 5 Morphine Derivatives Killing Young People