Morphine Detox & Rehab: Treatment for Opioid Dependence

What is Morphine Addiction?

Morphine is a beneficial tool used in pain management, including acute and chronic pain. It comes in tablet, liquid and injectable forms for use intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, epidurally or intrathecally.

Although morphine is a naturally occurring compound, its use is not without risks. Even when used for short periods and under medical supervision, morphine use can quickly lead to tolerance and dependence. 

Morphine use is especially dangerous when used without a prescription or in any way other than as directed. For example, taking a prescription that doesn’t belong to you, taking higher doses or more frequently than you should or by altering the method of administration.

The National Institutes of Health defines morphine addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by the compulsive seeking and use of morphine resulting in harmful physical, psychological and social consequences.

Signs You Need Morphine Rehab

For individuals facing morphine addiction, acknowledging you have a problem and asking for help is typically the first step toward recovery. If you are experiencing any of the following, it is a good idea to speak with a professional who can help you determine if treatment is right for you.

• Persistent cravings
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Triggers that lead to using as a way to cope
• Impaired mental health
• Fear of relapse

Cravings and Loss of Control

Cravings and loss of control are telltale signs that you need help.

These cravings stem from morphine’s powerful effects on the brain’s reward system. Over time, morphine alters how your body responds to dopamine, the chemical responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being. As a result, your brain begins to crave more of the drug to re-experience those pleasurable sensations.

Loss of control is one of the most prominent signs of addiction. This may include using more than you intended, trying to cut back or stop without success, continuing to use despite negative consequences in your life, ignoring things that once mattered to you, like family, friends, hobbies or responsibilities and deep guilt and shame over your morphine use. 

Impact on Daily Life

The reality of living with a morphine addiction means that no part of your daily life is untouched. Addiction negatively impacts your physical and mental health, relationships, responsibilities and feelings of identity and self-worth. 

Morphine Withdrawal and Detox

Morphine withdrawal is not only uncomfortable but can, in some cases, be life-threatening. For this reason, addiction professionals recommend a medically supported detox that helps you to manage withdrawal symptoms, curb cravings and establish a stable foundation so you are ready to do the work it takes for long-term recovery. 

Morphine withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and include:

• Aches and pain
• Anxiety
• Chills and fever
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Heavy sweating
• Insomnia
• Watery eyes and a runny nose 

The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms are largely based on factors such as how long you abused morphine, the dose ( higher doses lead to more intense withdrawal symptoms), overall physical and mental health, certain co-occurring disorders and polysubstance use. 

Because morphine withdrawal can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous, a medically supervised detox is recommended. During detox, you will receive around-the-clock support and monitoring from highly qualified addiction professionals who are there to assess the severity of your withdrawal symptoms and provide interventions such as FDA-approved medications to make the process easier.

As well, this close monitoring allows them to make changes to your treatment plan as needed, ensure you remain well hydrated, help you with your daily needs and offer a calm and non-judgemental presence to help you through your feelings of fear, shame and anxiety.

Detox is just the first step toward recovery. Once you have stabilized, you are ready to move on to the next step, a comprehensive morphine addiction rehab program.

Comprehensive Morphine Rehab

Medical detox only addresses the physical dependence on morphine by removing the drug from the body. It does nothing to treat the underlying factors that drive your addiction.

Our comprehensive morphine rehab program at Evolve is here to help you address those psychological, behavioral and emotional factors and build a future where you are equipped with healthier coping skills and understanding that is needed for long-term recovery. 

We use evidence-based behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help you understand and reframe your thought patterns, emotions and learned behaviors that contribute to your morphine addiction.

Our structured treatment environment offers you predictability, safety, comfort and support to help you heal inside and out. Our individualized treatment plans include individual and group therapy, family counseling, peer support, medication-assisted treatment, when needed and relapse prevention planning. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment

At Evolve, we offer medication-assisted treatment for those who need added support. We utilize FDA-approved medications such as Suboxone to help manage your withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings so you can focus on your healing journey.

For some, MAT is needed for a few months, for others, it may be a support that continues long after treatment.

Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders

It is common for an individual struggling with morphine addiction to also have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder and PTSD. For this reason, at Evolve, we offer integrated treatment that addresses both conditions at the same time.

By addressing both conditions at the same time, we can equip you with tools to understand how one impacts the other, recognize your triggers and develop practical skills to support your recovery.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention 

We understand that it takes work to support long-term recovery. For this reason, at Evolve, we offer extensive aftercare planning, so when you are ready to leave inpatient rehab, you have the tools you need to support your mental health and help prevent relapse.

We work with you to find an outpatient provider where you can continue to receive support, monitor your MAT and adjust your treatment plan, if needed. 

Our admissions team can work with you to verify your insurance coverage, explore treatment options and address any questions you may have. Reach out today. It may be the most important decision you’ll ever make.

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