Morphine is a well-known, powerful opioid medication used to alleviate severe pain and for ongoing pain management for those who need it. However, morphine has an extremely high potential for misuse. Unfortunately, this misuse quickly leads to dependence and, eventually, addiction.
For those battling morphine addiction, it is essential to seek treatment at a detox center as soon as possible. Although detoxing from morphine might sound daunting, it is necessary and sets the foundation for a long-lasting recovery. Furthermore, our morphine detox in Nashville, Tennessee, strives to make the overall withdrawal process as easy and painless as possible. Hence, individuals can begin their sobriety journey feeling better than ever.
What is Morphine?
Morphine is an opioid that is commonly used to relieve moderate, severe, or chronic pain. For instance, patients are often given morphine following cancer treatment or a surgical procedure. Typically administered intravenously or taken orally, morphine is known to prompt euphoric feelings while numbing pain.
Given a person’s tolerance to morphine develops quickly, the potential for misuse is high. Sadly, this misuse causes psychological and/or physical dependence. Consequently, morphine addiction sets it.
Signs and Symptoms of Morphine Addiction
To recognize addiction in yourself or in a loved one, it is crucial to be educated on the signs and symptoms of morphine dependency. Not only does early detection lower the risk of overdose, but an individual can get into a morphine addiction treatment program as soon as possible.
Common signs and symptoms of morphine addiction that people should look for include:
- Social isolation (especially distancing from loved ones)
- Sudden irritability or aggression
- Visiting a variety of doctors or clinics in order to get morphine from different sources
- Difficulty concentrating or staying on topic
- Falling asleep suddenly or at inappropriate times
- Neglecting professional and personal obligations
- Legal troubles
- Financial difficulties
- Shallow or abnormal breathing
- Slurred speech
Dangers of Morphine Addiction
Morphine misuse can have negative, even fatal, repercussions. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that prolonged use of morphine increases a person’s chance of developing hepatitis. Along with weakening your immune system, this condition commonly leads to many health complications. Furthermore, Morphine is especially dangerous when mixed with other substances. Alcohol and benzodiazepines, for example, can cause respiratory failure, severe sedation, and even coma when mixed with morphine.
Sadly, morphine misuse is common across the nation, with many Tennessee residents addicted to this potent drug. Statistically, this drug is more accessible than opioids, such as heroin, as it has medicinal uses. Furthermore, a study reveals that over 60% of those battling morphine addiction admit to getting the substance from a friend or family member. Given these alarming rates, it is critical that morphine detox centers such as Brentwood Springs be available to provide safe and effective treatment.
Signs of Morphine Overdose
Tragically, morphine overdoses often result in death or irreversible brain damage. Thankfully, there are certain signs that a person may show when overdosing on morphine. Therefore, individuals should be aware of these signs as this knowledge can be life-saving.
Common indicators of a morphine overdose include:
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Severe sleepiness or drowsiness
- Muscle spasms
- Clammy skin
- High blood pressure
- Slurred or unclear speech
- Stiffness in the muscles
- Swelling in the extremities and face
- Lips or fingernails that appear to have a blue tint
- Muscle cramps
- Dilated pupils
Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms
When an individual who is addicted to morphine stops using the drug, they undergo a set of withdrawal symptoms. When not properly treated through a professional morphine detox program, these symptoms can even lead to complications. Specifically, those detoxing from morphine are likely to encounter the following side effects.
These include:
- Feelings of anxiety and depression
- Tremors
- Sweats and chills
- Watery eyes
- Body aches and fatigue
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- Excessive yawning
- Extreme irritability
Morphine Withdrawal Timeline
The morphine withdrawal timeline depends on a variety of factors. Therefore, detoxing from morphine is different for everyone. Specifically, the amount of morphine being used, the frequency of use, and if other substances are also being used impact an individual’s exact timeline. Additionally, genetic influences and environmental factors, as well as medical conditions and co-occurring mental health disorders, can also influence the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Typically, morphine withdrawal symptoms surface within 6 to 12 hours of an individual’s last dose. These side effects peak after 36 to 72 hours. Symptoms typically subside within 7 days with most clients remaining in our detox program for 1 to 2 weeks.
Unfortunately, some symptoms have the potential to persist for weeks or even months following morphine detox. Known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms or PAWS, these symptoms are mild in most cases. This being said, they are still unpleasant and include cravings, headaches, insomnia, and feelings of depression. Thankfully, PAWS can be prevented by following a proper morphine detox protocol at a qualified facility such as Brentwood Springs.
What Happens During Morphine Detox in Nashville, TN?
Detox is the natural process of ridding the body of all drugs and toxins. For their own safety, it is vital that individuals complete a morphine detox program in a monitored environment. This is because withdrawal symptoms can lead to potentially dangerous, even fatal, consequences outside of a morphine addiction treatment center where professionals are on hand.
Additionally, the overall morphine detox in Nashville can be quite tasking on a person emotionally. Therefore, a high level of supervision and structure throughout the detox process is crucial to an individual’s physical and mental health. As part of our comprehensive detox program, Brentwood Springs offers various services in the Nashville area.
These include:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Administering specific medications is often an integral part of a person successfully completing detox, as the medications ease cravings and lessen withdrawal symptoms.
- Holistic therapy: Holistic therapy focuses on healing a person as a whole so that they can make sustainable lifestyle improvements. Therefore, Brentwood Springs offers holistic interventions such as aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, and nutritional therapy.
- Wound care: Brentwood Springs provides wound care services to our clients. Additionally, we offer wound care education so our clients can continue practicing proper care following detox.
- Aftercare services: We want our clients to achieve long-lasting sobriety. Therefore, we provide extensive aftercare services to our alumni, such as check-ins, support groups, treatment referrals, and sober living assistance.
Morphine Detox Protocol in Nashville, TN
At Brentwood Springs, we follow a specific morphine detox program protocol to ensure all of our clients receive the effective treatment they deserve. Following the initial evaluation process, we admit clients to our inpatient detox facility in Nashville, Tennessee. There, they can undergo detox in a safe and monitored environment. Additionally, they have the opportunity to bond with peers and thus begin cultivating an essential support network.
When detoxing at our facility, individuals receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT). These medications manage the painful side effects associated with withdrawal so that clients can remain as comfortable as possible. Additionally, MAT substantially reduces the risk of relapse as it lessens cravings. Medications typically used as a part of the morphine detox protocol include:
- Clonidine. This medication is used to relieve symptoms such as stomach cramps, perspiration, anxiety, and agitation.
- Buprenorphine. Commonly administered during opioid detox, this medication controls cravings while combating withdrawal symptoms.
- Naltrexone. This medication prevents relapse by blocking the feeling of euphoria that is associated with opioid use. As a result, people are more likely to find these drugs undesirable.
- Naloxone. Though this medication does not aid in withdrawal symptoms, it can reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Because of this, naloxone is considered to be a life-saving medication.
Begin Morphine Detox in Nashville, TN
You or your loved one deserve to live a healthy and fulfilling life, so stop waiting to seek treatment. We know you have what it takes to detox from morphine and succeed in recovery. We will help you through every step of the detox process. Offering a comprehensive suite of morphine detox services in the Nashville, Tennessee area, Brentwood Springs aims to help every individual achieve long-term sobriety.
Give us a call or visit our admissions page to begin your recovery journey right now.