What Are Morphine Withdrawal and Side Effects Like?
Morphine is a highly potent opioid agonist that interacts with the brain’s reward system, triggering a powerful euphoric response. This can lead to the development of both physical and psychological dependence, as the brain becomes accustomed to the presence of the drug and struggles to function without it. Common withdrawal effects include
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Yawning and restlessness
- Irritability and mood swings
- Chills, goosebumps, and shivering
- Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Muscle aches, joint pain, and twitching
- Rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure
- Insomnia and sleep disturbances
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
The intensity and duration of these withdrawal symptoms can vary greatly depending on factors such as the individual’s level of morphine dependence, the duration of use, and their overall health. Individuals who have been using high doses of morphine for an extended period are more likely to experience more severe withdrawal effects.
What is the Morphine Withdrawal Timeline?
The timeline of morphine withdrawal can be divided into several distinct phases, each with its own set of characteristic symptoms.
Early Withdrawal (6-14 hours)
In the first few hours after the last dose of morphine, individuals may experience anxiety, mood swings, and intense cravings for the drug.
Acute Withdrawal (15-48 hours)
As the body starts to adjust to the absence of morphine, the physical symptoms of withdrawal begin to emerge. This can include chills, sweating, muscle aches, fever, runny nose, nausea, and vomiting.
Peak Withdrawal (Days 3-10)
Typically, the most intense withdrawal symptoms occur around day four, with a gradual tapering off in the following days. During this period, individuals may still experience mild muscle aches, anxiety, and drug cravings.
It’s important to note that the duration and severity of morphine withdrawal can vary greatly from person to person, depending on various factors, including the individual’s level of dependence, the duration of use, and their overall health and wellbeing.
What Is Morphine Detox Like?
Morphine detox is the process of safely and effectively removing the drug from the body, under medical supervision. This is a crucial first step in the recovery process, as it helps to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse.
During a medically-assisted morphine detox, healthcare professionals closely monitor the individual’s vital signs and overall health, and may prescribe medications to help ease the withdrawal process. These medications, known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), can include:
- Naltrexone
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
What Happens Next?
Addiction counselors and therapists will work with the individual on an individual and group basis to help them understand the root causes of their morphine addiction and develop healthy coping strategies to prevent relapse. This may include
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helping the individual identify and modify the thought patterns and behaviors that contributed to their addiction.
- Contingency management: Providing tangible rewards or incentives for maintaining abstinence and engaging in healthy behaviors.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Teaching emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to help manage cravings and triggers.
- Family therapy: Involving the individual’s loved ones in the recovery process to address any underlying family dynamics or relationship issues.
Additionally, the individual may be encouraged to participate in support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery, to build a network of sober peers and maintain accountability.
The final phase of the recovery process is aftercare, which involves ongoing resources and support to reduce the risk of relapse. This may include continued counseling, participation in support groups, and the development of a comprehensive relapse prevention plan. Recovering from morphine addiction is a complex and multi-faceted journey, but with the right support and resources, individuals can successfully break the cycle of addiction and reclaim their lives.