Morphine Sulfate Addiction Treatment and Rehab

Morphine sulfate is a highly addictive pain medication. It’s commonly sold on the street as heroin. Opiate addiction often begins with the habitual use of pain medications like morphine sulfate. The drugs are often prescribed following injuries and are administered for the treatment of chronic pain. When the prescription runs out, individuals may seek inexpensive versions sold on the street.

Prescription pain relievers that are similar to morphine sulfate include oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and fentanyl. Fentanyl is 80% to 90% more powerful than heroin. The presence of Fentanyl in street drug concoctions is largely responsible for the recent overdose epidemic.

Bringing a halt to opiate addiction is a challenging process. Morphine sulfate withdrawal can be severe. An intervention with family and friends may be needed to coax the individual to undergo medical detox. After detox, the patient will then enter an inpatient rehabilitation program followed by outpatient treatment and counseling.

Because morphine sulfate withdrawal symptoms can be severe, medical detox is advised. Staff will administer I.V. fluids to help hydrate the body and ease withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal can begin within the first 12 hours of last using the drug.

This initial period of withdrawals is characterized by excessive sweating, runny nose, yawning, and watery eyes. Patients often describe feeling like they have the flu. More serious morphine sulfate symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours. During this time, the patient may experience insomnia, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), anxiety, stomach pain, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, sneezing, loss of appetite, and intense drug cravings. Other symptoms can include chills, elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, irritability, restlessness, diarrhea, and tremors.

The longer the patient has been using drugs, the stronger the drug cravings will likely be. Medical detox and inpatient treatment provide a safe place for the individual to push through the roughest stages of withdrawal with the guidance of experienced professionals.

Doctors are advised to exercise caution when prescribing extended-release morphine sulfate due to the drug’s potential for abuse. Extended-release morphine sulfate can contribute to overdose cases in which tablets are crushed, chewed, or snorted. Extended-release tablets contain more of the drug than non-extended release morphine sulfate. When patients break through the tablet’s outer coating, the entirety of the drug content is absorbed at once, potentially leading to overdose.

Following medical detox, patients will have the choice of entering an inpatient rehabilitation program. Inpatient programs typically last at least 28 days, although some individuals may stay longer. Inpatient rehab provides a safe environment where one can reflect on recovery without the temptation of returning to drug use. Patients live onsite and participate in daily group and individuals counseling sessions.
Roughly ten percent of the global population has taken morphine sulfate at least once, according to the Global Information Network about Drugs (GINAD). For most of these cases, individuals were prescribed morphine sulfate for short-term treatment of injury-related pain.

Following inpatient treatment, patients are encouraged to enter an outpatient program. Most local inpatient programs have affiliated outpatient locations in the nearby area. Outpatient therapy typically meets three times a week. Many require the attendance of two Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings as part of compliance. Outpatient programs usually take around three months to complete.

Choosing the right rehab center depends on the patient’s needs, age, and gender. Some programs admit only boys or girls. Others are strictly for adolescents or adults. The costs of available programs can vary dramatically as well. Enrollment in an outpatient program is critical for most patients. Outpatient provides them with a network of people that will hold them accountable for their recovery.