What You Need to Know About Morphine Withdrawal
Morphine is an opiate that relieves pain and results in euphoric feelings. The drug is usually taken as an injection, tablet, or syrup, but people can also smoke it in some cases. Morphine gets its name from Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, because of the dreamlike feeling the drug causes.
People develop a tolerance to morphine rapidly, giving the drug the potential to be highly addictive. Because it has accepted medical use in treating moderate to severe pain, morphine is designated as a Schedule II drug.
About Morphine
Doctors prescribe opiates for a broad range of medical needs. There are two primary classifications of this kind of drug: antagonists and agonists.
Agonists interact with specific receptor sites in the brain to mimic the effects of endorphins, producing an opiate effect. Agonists include morphine and similarly powerful drugs used in medical settings.
Many have touted morphine as a “godsend” for those suffering from severe chronic pain. For example, morphine extended-release capsules treat round-the-clock pain that other medications cannot control or relieve.
However, despite all its benefits, morphine is one of the most addictive substances known, and it is responsible for many unintentional drug deaths in the United States.
Morphine’s pleasurable effects and relative ease of access make the drug an attractive choice for abuse. Morphine comes from naturally occurring opium poppy plants or concentrated poppy straw. Because it comes from the same plant as heroin, the two drugs have a similar chemical makeup.
In recent years, drug manufacturers have added abuse deterrents to morphine pills so they can’t be crushed, injected, or snorted. This change reduces the addictive potential but hasn’t eliminated the risk or impacted morphine that is made illegally.
Common street names for morphine include M.S., Dreamer, Mister Blue, and Unkie.
Morphine Effects and Abuse
Most people become addicted to painkillers after a doctor prescribes them after an injury or accident. Their doctor gives them a specified dose and a limited quantity, and most people have no intention of overusing their medicine. However, over time, a person may start to feel like the morphine isn’t working as well as it used to. This feeling is an increased tolerance indicating that morphine has built up inside the body.
Morphine’s pleasurable effects make it ripe for abuse as a narcotic drug. In addition, those who suffer from severe chronic pain have the potential to take a higher or more frequent dose than they’re supposed to, increasing their likelihood of developing a disorder.
Common effects of morphine include:
• Euphoria
• Pain relief
• Reduced anxiety
• Relaxed or calm feeling
• False or unusual sense of well-being
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Every time someone takes morphine without a prescription, it is abuse. Even though it is a legal substance to have prescribed, morphine is heavily regulated. It’s a crime to possess morphine without a prescription. The severity of the offense depends on the amount in possession and the jurisdiction in question.
Dangers of Morphine Overdose
In 2019, opioids were a factor in 70.6% of all drug overdose deaths in the United States.
Those who abuse morphine in high or frequent doses are at risk of overdosing. Signs of morphine overdose include:
• Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
• Slurred speech
• Intense drowsiness
• Elevated blood pressure
• Inattention
• Increased thirst
• Fever
• Lower back or side pain
• Extreme sleepiness
• Lack of movement
• Decreased responsiveness
• Muscle cramps
• Pain and stiffness
• Spasms
• Swelling in the extremities and face
Because morphine depresses the central nervous system, overdosing on the drug can slow breathing to the point of death. Likewise, combining morphine with other CNS depressants, such as benzos or alcohol, is hazardous.
It is possible to reverse a morphine overdose with the opioid antagonist naloxone, also known by its brand name, Narcan.
Addiction to Morphine
Someone addicted to morphine compulsively looks for more of the drug to use despite any negative consequences. There are several reasons a morphine addiction may develop, but it’s usually the result of consistent abuse. These habits typically start with tolerance, requiring more of the morphine to feel the same effects. Then, once tolerance builds, users begin to experience withdrawal symptoms if they don’t get more of the opioid, making it difficult to quit. In many cases, psychological dependence develops shortly after.
Morphine addiction has many similarities to heroin addiction, and it’s challenging to overcome. In addition, it’s incredibly uncomfortable to stop using morphine suddenly, so it’s best to undergo a medically managed morphine detox program to free the body of the drug.
Withdrawal From Morphine
When a person abuses morphine, the drug stimulates the brain’s reward system, motivating the user to keep using the opiate repeatedly. This frequent use leads to both tolerance and dependence: Once someone becomes dependent on morphine, they’ll need to keep using it to feel “normal.” Conversely, quitting morphine suddenly leads to withdrawal as the brain tries to adapt once again to living without the drug.
Withdrawal symptoms are often flu-like and can cause psychological and physical distress. However, the exact symptoms and timeline vary from person to person.
Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms
It can be very uncomfortable to undergo morphine withdrawal, especially for heavy users. The symptoms a person experiences depend on their tolerance, metabolism, duration, and frequency of drug use as well as their overall health. Those who abuse the drug at higher doses for more prolonged periods tend to experience more severe withdrawal effects.
Common morphine withdrawal symptoms include:
• Chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Disorientation
• Increased blood pressure
• Diarrhea
Several of the above symptoms can lead to extreme dehydration, which can be fatal. In addition, the discomfort felt during large body temperature swings can become a deterrent to seeking treatment, even though there are medications that make the symptoms more comfortable.
For some, the discomfort of withdrawal is too significant, leading to a relapse. A medically managed morphine treatment program can help guide clients through this process, reducing the risk of resuming morphine abuse.
Duration of Withdrawal
The length of withdrawal is different for everyone. Most people start experiencing withdrawal symptoms eight to 24 hours after their last dose. These flu-like symptoms typically last up to five days, but some may experience longer-lasting psychological symptoms called Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS). Examples of PAWS include:
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Depression
• Poor concentration
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Decrease in energy
The withdrawal process is stressful on the mind and body; it is recommended to seek help at a professional treatment center for the best chance of success.
Morphine Withdrawal Timeline
• 8 to 14 hours: The first symptoms usually manifest in the first 8to 14 hours following morphine use. Anxiety, drug cravings, and mood swings are among the first symptoms.
• 15 to 48 hours: Flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, fever, chills, muscle aches, and sweating, lead the second wave of withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing people may also feel irritable and have trouble sleeping. Likewise, physical symptoms like nausea and vomiting may appear toward the end of this stage.
• 3 to 10 days: Physical symptoms peak on the fourth day and start to reduce by the fifth. Afterward, most physical symptoms begin to fade; nausea dissipates and muscle aches subside. However, psychological symptoms continue to persist.
• 10+ days: PAWS symptoms like drug cravings, anxiety, depression, and irritability can persist for several weeks or even months.
Managing Withdrawal
Morphine detox generally lasts five to seven days. The severity and duration of symptoms depend on several contributing factors, including:
• Amount and duration of morphine use: The more morphine a person uses regularly and repeatedly, the more likely they’ve become heavily dependent on it.
• Biological influences: People from families with a history of addiction may be more likely to become dependent on morphine.
• Co-occurring disorders: Underlying mental health or medical conditions can impact withdrawal, dependence, and treatment. For example, many people who become addicted to morphine become attracted to its dreamlike euphoria as a form of escapism.
• Environmental factors: Stress and peer pressure are two examples of how a person’s external environment could contribute to drug use and dependency.
• Polydrug abuse: Abusing multiple drugs in conjunction with morphine increases the likelihood of developing a challenging dependence that requires professional detox.
Detoxing from a drug is an individual experience, so symptoms and the exact timeline vary from one user to another.
Easing Detox With Medications
Some medications help ease withdrawal symptoms during detox. However, stopping an opioid like morphine suddenly can induce powerful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, so this “cold turkey” method is not recommended. Instead, a medical professional may choose to slowly reduce a client’s morphine intake over time through tapering or weaning.
Because morphine is a fast-acting opiate, a medical professional might substitute a longer-acting one like methadone to help with tapering during detox. Methadone stays in the bloodstream longer thanks to its longer half-life. It activates the brain’s opioid receptors, and smaller amounts of it are required to keep drug cravings and uncomfortable symptoms to a minimum. However, methadone is also an agonist and has the potential to be abused; some people may end up < a href=”https://psychcentral.com/addictions/methadone-withdrawal#what-is-methadone” target=”_blank”>dependent on methadone instead, making it a secondary choice to other detoxing medications. Although methadone poses a risk of dependence, its long-acting effects also help prevent physical withdrawal.
The partial opioid buprenorphine is another common choice to replace morphine during detox. This agonist only partially activates the brain’s opioid receptors, which means it can reduce discomfort without providing the same “high” that morphine does. However, it also has a limit to its impact; if someone tries to take more buprenorphine than they’re prescribed, it stops being effective.
Naloxone is often combined with buprenorphine during detox. It’s intended to remain dormant unless someone tries to inject the drug, activating the antagonist.
It is crucial for treatment providers supervising the detox to be aware of any drug in a person’s system so that they can manage possible interactions. Likewise, a comprehensive recovery program must follow detox to maximize a person’s chance for long-term recovery.
Professional Treatment Options
Seeking treatment for morphine addiction can seem overwhelming, but neglecting substance use disorder can result in many unwanted consequences beyond health. Addiction can eventually snowball and impact all parts of a person’s life, from work and finances to relationships and mental health.
• The disease worsens: Substance use disorder is a chronic disease, so it’s important to treat it like one. For example, recovery from addiction can be a lifelong process that requires a commitment to getting treatment and maintaining good health.
• Relationships and mental health suffer: Morphine abuse can cause significant damage to a person’s relationships. In addition, it can worsen existing mental health conditions while masking them.
Kicking the Habit for Good
It is possible to tackle a challenging morphine addiction with the proper course of treatment. Many treatment centers in the United States are capable of treating people with moderate and severe morphine addictions. In addition, the best treatment centers offer medical supervision and safe detoxing.
Inpatient Rehab
The most effective way to tackle a morphine addiction is to undergo an inpatient program that lasts around 90 days for most people. One significant benefit to choosing an inpatient rehab is that it usually begins with a safe, medically supervised environment for detox. Additionally, inpatient programs allow clients in recovery to focus exclusively on their treatment without worrying about possible triggers or social and professional pressures.
Ongoing Recovery
Although the detox stage may take only a few weeks, recovering addicts must commit to staying sober for the rest of their lives. Many people in recovery find great accountability and help through individual counseling and support groups of others going through the same process. In addition, staying clean from morphine requires making lifestyle changes to prevent relapse, including ending toxic relationships with negative influences. It is essential to establish and maintain relationships with those who support your clean lifestyle.
Next Steps
No matter the situation, if you or a loved one is interested in seeking treatment for morphine addiction, there is a pathway to lifelong recovery. Contact a professional treatment center today to learn more about your options and take the first step toward a morphine-free future.
