Morphine Sulfate Withdrawal and Detox

Morphine sulfate is a prescription medication used for pain management and it is classified as an opioid analgesics (narcotic). The medication binds to opioid receptors and blocks the transmission of pain signals to the nervous system. Because of the effects that morphine sulfate has on a person’s body, it is highly addictive and often misused. As a result, it has been classified as a Schedule II drug.

Morphine sulfate is commonly prescribed by doctors and, unfortunately, it is often illegally obtained and abused. Regular abuse can eventually lead to a tolerance to develop, which may result in someone taking higher than the recommended dosage to receive the same euphoric feeling it produces. After long-term use, someone may quit taking the narcotic because they are no longer satisfied with the feeling it produces or they may not have access to it. Suddenly stopping the use of the drug can cause the body to respond in a negative way while it is going through morphine sulfate withdrawal.

Withdrawal happens when a person struggling with morphine sulfate addiction stops taking it. They are likely to experience challenging, unpleasant symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can occur in as little as 6 hours after the last dose. Common withdrawal symptoms from morphine sulfate include:

• Sweating
• Runny nose
• Chills
• Frequent yawning
• Teary eyes
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Anxiety

These symptoms normally occur early during the withdrawal process, with more severe symptoms happening around 48 to 72 hours after quitting morphine sulfate. Relapsing is much more likely if a person is trying to cease using drugs without medical supervision; therefore, it is safer and more effective to seek a medical detox center.

As previously mentioned, withdrawal from morphine sulfate will peak around 48 to 72 hours after quitting, causing severe effects. The length of withdrawal symptoms is different for each person.

Some severe withdrawal symptoms from morphine sulfate are:

• Insomnia
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Cravings
• Stomach and muscle pains
• Decreased appetite

Morphine sulfate can cause intense withdrawal symptoms, so attempting to detox without medical supervision can be dangerous. There are many treatment programs available for a person with substance use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms can be similar to the flu or other medical conditions, so taking certain medications can manage the severity of the symptoms.

The Recovery Village offers 24/7 medical supervision, as well as individual and group therapies paired with medication to ease withdrawal symptoms. The road to recovery starts with finding the right help.

If you or someone you know is abusing morphine sulfate and has developed an addiction, finding a medically-supervised detox program is crucial when starting a substance-free life. Depending on the severity of the addiction, a person may only need to visit their doctor and he or she will normally lower the dosage slowly to lessen withdrawal symptoms. If someone is regularly abusing morphine sulfate; however, they may need to begin a detox program under medical supervision.

Although detox generally lasts between 5 to 7 days, the severity and timeline depend on a variety of factors such as:

• The amount of morphine sulfate use and abuse
• Biological factors
• If other substances were abused along with morphine sulfate
• Underlying mental health disorders

Medications to relieve morphine sulfate withdrawal symptoms are available to those who choose a detox program. Another benefit of choosing a supervised detox program is the medical guidance and supervision. When someone is detoxing from morphine sulfate, the stress caused by withdrawal may prevent them from thinking clearly. Vomiting and diarrhea are common withdrawal symptoms. A person may be too fatigued to realize that they need to stay hydrated and should take an anti-diarrhea medication.

The challenges of morphine sulfate withdrawal can make it difficult to find the right treatment program. It is important to carefully choose a detox program because something that may work for one person might not work for another.

At The Recovery Village, we offer several treatment programs to meet the needs of our potential and current patients. Our dedicated staff is available 24/7 to monitor the safety of our patients and offer them advice and medication, when needed.