How Long Does Morphine Addiction Treatment Take?

Morphine Addiction Treatment Explained

Morphine is a very potent pain reliever. While it has specific medical treatment purposes, many people use it as a recreational drug. Morphine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug. Those who choose to inject the drug increase their risk of contracting hepatitis B and C, but the worst result is the tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year. In 2013 the country saw 43,982 people die from Morphine overdose. Morphine addiction treatment could save thousands of lives, but too many users never seek help.

Morphine Addiction Treatment

Morphine addiction can occur after using the drug just a few times. Users can quickly build tolerance and remain committed to the drug in spite of significant life disruption. The need for morphine addiction treatment is urgent due to the physical and emotional damage it causes to the body. If a user goes too long before getting treatment, the risk of overdose becomes greater. There are long-term use side effects from morphine including confusion, collapsed veins, depression, restlessness, and a compromised immune system. Morphine addiction treatment begins with detoxification.

Medical staff is present during detox and can administer medicine to reduce the unpleasantness of the morphine withdrawal side effects. WhiteSands Addiction Treatment Centers are staffed with compassionate addiction specialists who help patients through each stage of detox and rehab.

Morphine Addiction Facts

People rapidly develop a tolerance for morphine and require higher doses to maintain the desired effect. It can quickly lead to abuse and addiction even when it is legally prescribed. When excessive amounts of morphine are taken or it is combined with other drugs (prescription or illicit) and alcohol, the user’s physical and mental heal can be compromised, or the results can be an overdose fatality. Morphine addiction facts reveal the following:

  • Twenty-one is the average age for first-time users of morphine.
  • Overdosing on morphine is the third top reason for emergency room admission.
  • More than half of morphine addicts claim they first received the drug from a friend or a family member and then developed a tolerance that led to addiction.
  • More than two million Americans are either dependent on or addicted to morphine.
  • An inpatient rehab program has proven to be the most effective form of treatment for morphine addiction.

If someone you know is using morphine, talk to them about getting treatment before their health or life is the price they pay. It’s very important not to be judgmental about addiction as it is a disease and not a moral issue. WhiteSands Addiction Treatment Centers can help families arrange an intervention with the family member who is addicted.

Morphine Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

The physical withdrawal symptoms of morphine withdrawal begin within a few hours of the last dose taken. Withdrawal symptoms are the result of the body ridding itself of the drug and adjusting to being without morphine. Addicts shouldn’t expect it to be a pleasant event, but the may receive some medicine to reduce the discomfort. Withdrawal can be categorized as mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depending on the user’s history of abuse. Morphine can affect the brain stem and can impact the body by slowing breathing and heart rate, which can become fatal in an overdose situation. Morphine addiction withdrawal symptoms include the following sets of symptoms.

The first symptoms begin in the 24 hours following the last dose of morphine.

  • Aching muscles
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Tearing eyes
  • Excessive Sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Frequent yawning

The next set of symptoms are more severe and start on the second day of withdrawal.

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Goose bumps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dilated pupils
  • High blood pressure
  • Rapid heart beat

These symptoms should begin to improve after day three, and within a week there should be a significant decrease of the worst withdrawal symptoms.

Every day counts when someone is addicted to morphine. The sooner he or she gets into an addiction treatment program, the less risk there is of long-term damage to physical and mental health. Call WhiteSands Addiction Treatment Center for the help you need getting someone you love into treatment for morphine addiction.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.