Morphine Detox Centers

Some people develop morphine addiction after illegally obtaining and using morphine. However, there are also a number of morphine addicts who were prescribed the drug and began using it in a nonmedical fashion. Some use morphine more frequently than prescribed or in larger doses.

Because morphine is an extremely powerful narcotic pain reliever and because the drug creates an opioid euphoria followed by a state of extreme relaxation, many people choose to deviate from the prescription instructions.

People who cannot manage their morphine intake quickly develop a tolerance for the drug and need to take larger doses or more frequent ones in order to achieve their previous results. Dependence often follows tolerance. At this stage, users need the drug to feel normal. It isn’t long before users experience withdrawal symptoms and they are forced to continue using lest they endure excruciating symptoms.  These are some of the markers of addiction.

The best way to beat morphine addiction is by participating in drug addiction treatment. What many people don’t realize is that detoxification is the first stage of treatment and completion of professional detox leads to greater positive outcomes and retention in treatment. The following discussion should familiarize you with detox and with the withdrawals that detox aims to treat.

This post may not answer all of your questions, but our experts can. If you call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?) right now, you can speak with addiction specialists that will help you to understand the entire treatment process and link you to resources and recommend treatment options that are perfect for your situation.

What Exactly Is Detox?

You know the word “detox,” right? It’s most often used in association with fad diets and exercise regimens. You probably have heard people talking about eliminating toxins with tea or juice or yoga. These have the same basic principle at their core: get rid of bad stuff. But, these types of detox aren’t based in science. Drug detox is.

Drawing from medicine and addiction sciences, professional drug detox uses education, therapy, medication, and comprehensive care to ease people through the transition from acutely intoxicated to a condition free of drugs and alcohol. It is unlikely that your morphine detox will progress without medication. Even mild withdrawals will be extremely uncomfortable and it is considered inhumane to not offer medication in these instances.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, opioid withdrawal, like that you would experience during morphine detox, leads to intense symptoms that “produce intense discomfort.” They are not life threatening, but their intensity often drives users back to the morphine as a way of making them go away.

What Sort of Withdrawals Should I Expect During Morphine Detox?

Anxiety and insomnia are common early stage morphine withdrawal symptoms.

A number of factors will contribute to the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. These include:

• Your tolerance
• Your general health
• Your drug use history
• The size of the doses
• The length of your drug use

Users who have been doing so for a lengthy period of time and those who use large doses typically have more intense withdrawal symptoms.

The US National Library of Medicine identifies two stages of withdrawal: early and late.

Early stage:

• Agitation
• Yawning
• Anxiety
• Perspiring
• Muscle aches and pains
• Runny nose
• Increased tearing
• Insomnia and other trouble sleeping

Late stage:

• Dilated pupils
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Goose bumps

How Long Are Withdrawals from Morphine?

Every user will have their own withdrawal timeline, but the following is a good guide:

• The first 6 to 14 hours: You will experience the first symptoms, which are usually mood swings, cravings, and anxiety.
• Hours 15 to 48: By this time, the flu-like symptoms will set in. Symptoms will continue to increase in severity during this time.
• Days 3 to 5: Your physical symptoms will be fading, but psychological symptoms are likely to continue.
• Day 6 and onward: Even though your physical symptoms will likely all have passed, you may continue to feel anxious, irritable, and depressed for months after you stop using. Cravings will also continue for some time.

During the early stages of detox, your physical symptoms will be treated with approved opioid withdrawal medications, like methadone and clonidine. Symptoms not addressed by these medications will receive supplementary medication.

For more information about what detox looks like and how medications are used, call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?). We are waiting to help you.