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Editorial Policy | Research Policy
In Colorado, many people have been affected by the opioid epidemic. The state has been working to help reduce the problem on a medical, legal and personal level.
One opioid available by prescription and is unfortunately often misused is morphine. Throughout Colorado, whether in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs or anywhere else in the state, people live with morphine addiction.
This opioid pain reliever is sold under various brand names, and it’s intended to help treat pain following surgery and in other similar situations. Common morphine brand names include Avinza, Kadian, Arymo ER, Morphabond, MS Contin, Oramorph SR and Roxanol.
Morphine is a Schedule II substance, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This type of drug has accepted medical usage, but it also has a high potential for abuse and addiction. As a controlled substance, it is only legal to take this drug with a valid prescription.
As with other opioids, physical dependence is possible with morphine when it is misused recreationally, and even when the drug is taken as prescribed. When someone is physically dependent on a drug like morphine, uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms occur when the person stops taking the drug. Withdrawal occurs during detox, and this is the body’s adjustment to the absence of the drug after the brain and central nervous system have become used to its presence.
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Morphine and other opioid medications should not be stopped suddenly unless directed by a doctor due to the possibility of extreme withdrawal symptoms. The more uncomfortable the withdrawal symptoms, the more likely they are to relapse and keep using the drug.
Morphine can be stopped at home “cold turkey,” a person can ask their regular doctor for detox treatment or they can enter an addiction treatment program. Stopping cold turkey carries significant risk and can present the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Seeking treatment can make stopping more successful because a taper or medical detox can address the severity of these symptoms.
A taper refers to the dose of morphine being gradually reduced over time. Tapers may last anywhere from days to weeks to months. Because the drug is slowly removed from the body, the withdrawal symptoms are lessened. Whether or not a taper should be used can be determined by an addiction professional.
In general, morphine withdrawal symptoms can seem similar to cold or flu symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms tend to vary based on individual characteristics like metabolism, health and the level of drug use.
For example, a long-term morphine user who takes the drug in high doses is likely to have withdrawal symptoms that are more severe and last longer than someone who used morphine as prescribed for a short period of time.
Common physical morphine withdrawal symptoms include:
Psychological symptoms of opioid withdrawal may include:
In most cases, morphine withdrawal symptoms aren’t deadly, but they can be highly uncomfortable. There’s also the potential for dangerous complications such as dehydration and suicidal thoughts.
Severe side effects may occur during an opioid overdose and can include:
The morphine withdrawal timeline and morphine withdrawal side effects depend on the following factors:
While the morphine withdrawal symptoms timeline can vary, it generally follows the same pattern:
Protracted withdrawal is also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome. This can happen with all opioids, but symptoms of morphine withdrawal can occur for weeks or months. Symptoms of post-acute withdrawal are usually psychological and can include depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue and insomnia.
Once someone decides to stop using morphine, the detox process begins. As the drug is removed from the body, the body begins healing itself and withdrawal symptoms occur as the body becomes accustomed to a lack of the drug. A person can either detox “cold turkey” at home or with the help of trained addiction professionals. For most people, seeking professionally monitored treatment is the best option.
During the intake process, an addiction professional will evaluate the extent of the morphine use disorder. More severe morphine addiction means that a higher level of treatment will be necessary. The highest level of treatment is an inpatient stay where the person lives onsite at the facility.
Detox lasts 4–10 days for most people. In a treatment facility, the medical team manages the onset of symptoms like tremor, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Doing so helps make the person more comfortable and lowers the risk of life-threatening conditions like dehydration.
The best time to begin the rest of addiction treatment is immediately after detox. Addiction treatment targets the harmful behaviors that contribute to the disease, helping people cope healthily. Treatment may involve cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, exercise, and other healthy activities.
Yes, a person can detox at home, but there are risks. Detoxing at home comes with a much higher risk of relapse than detoxing in a medical setting. If a person chooses to detox at home, they may be tempted to relapse to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Morphine withdrawal also causes diarrhea and vomiting for many people. Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which may be life-threatening. It is important to stay hydrated while detoxing at home, consuming as much as 2–3 L of water per day.
While morphine withdrawal isn’t usually deadly, the symptoms can be incredibly uncomfortable and difficult. Dangerous complications are also possible, such as dehydration. For people who misuse more than one substance, withdrawal can become severe and even deadly.
The best option for morphine withdrawal treatment is an accredited, professional detox center, such as The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake in Colorado. At a medical detox facility, a medical team provides constant monitoring to ensure patients are safe and that their symptoms are mitigated.
Attending a professional detox as the first step of addiction treatment is beneficial not only because of the interventions that can be provided for withdrawal symptoms, but also because patients can then go directly into treatment, which can help reduce the risk of relapse and increase the chances of successfully overcoming an addiction to morphine.
Withdrawal from morphine can be just as psychological symptoms as it is physical, and both aspects can be addressed simultaneously at a professional treatment center.
If you or someone you know has a morphine use disorder, consider seeking treatment. Morphine addiction is a debilitating and destructive condition that significantly impacts people’s lives.
For people in Colorado, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and statewide, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is available to help. This professionally accredited facility offers morphine detox treatment and addiction treatment services. We are also open to national patients, and we operate out-of-state facilities as well for people seeking morphine detox treatment and treatment for addiction.
If you do not live in the Colorado area, The Recovery Village has additional locations all across the United States.
After morphine detox treatment, there are inpatient and outpatient programs available that can help people overcome addiction and discover root causes for their condition, including any underlying mental health issues that could exist. Reach out to our skilled intake team today to learn more about your future recovery journey.
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Because heroin is an addictive, deadly and illegal substance, it’s common for people to wonder about what heroin looks like and how to recognize it – especially those who suspect a friend or loved one may be using.
Inpatient rehabilitation offers constant live-in care for people with substance use disorders. At an inpatient care facility, all evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation is supervised by medical professionals.
Women who are pregnant may find themselves wondering if it is safe to use hydrocodone during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Ultimately, using any kind of opioid while pregnant or breastfeeding should generally be avoided.
Medical detoxification, more commonly known as medical detox, this process is crucial to successful recovery. When you’re dependent on a substance, your body has to compensate for the constant presence of that substance.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Morphine Sulfate Tablets Package Insert.” Roxane Laboratories, January 2012. Accessed February 20, 2022.
National Library of Medicine. “Morphine.” MedlinePlus, February 15, 2021. Accessed February 20, 2022.
National Library of Medicine. “Opiate and opioid withdrawal.” MedlinePlus, February 18, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2022.
National Library of Medicine. “Opioid Overdose.” MedlinePlus, August 27, 2018. Accessed February 20, 2022.
Shah, M; Huecker, M. “Opioid Withdrawal.” StatPearls, October 11, 2021. Accessed February 20, 2022.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “Protracted Withdrawal.” Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory: News for the Treatment Field, July 2010. Accessed February 20, 2022.
World Health Organization (WHO). “Withdrawal Management.” Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings, 2009. Accessed February 20, 2022.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
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