Unfortunately, morphine addicts can quickly turn into heroin addicts because of the effects of both types of drugs as well as the relative ease with which one can obtain the latter substance. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? today if you or someone you love is suffering from an opioid addiction and needs help recovering.
Can Morphine Addiction Lead to Heroin Addiction?
After becoming addicted to morphine, it is very easy for someone to become addicted to heroin. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, morphine is a natural substance that occurs in the seedpod of the poppy plant. Heroin is a semi-synthetic substance that is created from morphine. As a result, both drugs cause similar results and are often used interchangeably by addicts.
It is also very common for a person to turn to heroin after becoming addicted to morphine or another prescription opioid. As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly half of heroin-addicted individuals asked in three recent surveys admitted to using prescription drugs first. This is a common occurrence for a number of reasons.
Morphine addicts often switch to heroin because it’s cheaper and easier to obtain.
- Heroin is cheaper than most prescription drugs. While these drugs can sometimes sell for more than a dollar to five dollars a pill, heroin highs are usually stronger and the drug is cheaper to get for the amount the user receives.
- Heroin is easier to obtain than prescription drugs. There are a number of safeguards put into place to try and keep people from buying prescription opioids or from obtaining them in other illegal ways (doctorshopping, forging prescriptions, etc.). Unfortunately, buying illicit drugs on the street is sometimes much easier.
- Heroin causes a strong high, which many addicted individuals feel doesn’t compare to the milder high caused by prescription drugs. Some people move on to heroin in order to combat tolerance while others just want to experience this stronger high.
How Do I Know I’m in Danger of Switching to Heroin?
If you believe you are in danger of turning to this illicit drug, you probably already are. But ask yourself the questions below in order to determine if this is a serious issue for you.
- Have I been thinking about switching to heroin in order to combat tolerance?
- Do I want to switch because heroin is cheaper?
- Do I want to switch because it will be easier for me to get?
- Are my friends pressuring me to switch?
- Do I often think about what a heroin high will be like?
- Do I try to make excuses for myself to switch?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you are definitely in need of help and should avoid turning to this extremely dangerous, illicit drug use by seeking treatment.
Where Can I Get Help?
You can find help for your opioid addiction syndrome today by calling 800-442-6158 Who Answers? . We want to match you with the best rehab programs available for your needs and allow you to begin a new life, free of substance abuse.
