Thousands of people struggle with an opiate addiction every year. One of the opiates that is most likely to cause an addiction with severe withdrawal symptoms is morphine. In order to understand how to handle morphine withdrawal symptoms and treatment, there are a few things you need to know.
What are the uses for Morphine?
Derived from the opium poppy, morphine is most often prescribed for post-surgical pain management and in managing chronic pain in terminally ill patients. The ease with which people can become addicted to morphine brings on sudden and powerful withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop, hence the need for treatment.
What are the Symptoms of Morphine Withdrawal?
Heroin is made from morphine and acetic anhydride, so it makes sense that morphine and heroin have similar withdrawal symptoms. According to the National Library of Medicine, the symptoms of withdrawal are can be both physical and psychological.
Physical Withdrawal
Anxiety and depression are common morphine withdrawal symptoms.
The physical symptoms of withdrawal are extremely unpleasant. They may include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Sweating
These symptoms are often severe, and may cause serious health problems, if left untreated.
Psychological withdrawal
The psychological symptoms of withdrawal are just as unpleasant as the physical ones, and have the potential to be dangerous, in a different way. These symptoms are:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Mood swings
- Agitation
- Aggression
- Depression
- Insomnia
These symptoms may lead to violence or mental illness without the proper treatment. To find a treatment center that can help with withdrawal, call us at 800-442-6158 Who Answers? .
Treatment for Morphine Withdrawal
Experts agree that the most effective addiction treatments meet the needs of the patient and prepare them for life in recovery. This has prompted various treatment protocols, but all of the various treatment practices fall into one of three categories.
Medication for Morphine withdrawal
There are a few medications that can be used to ease withdrawal symptoms and treat morphine addiction. These are:
These medications are often effective tools in morphine addiction treatment.
Counseling
Counseling services focus on behaviors and attitudes related to drug use. They include:
- Behavioral therapies
- Motivational therapies
- Peer support
- Psychotherapy
These forms of counseling help identify causes of addiction and correct them.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative addiction treatments are considered to be anything that falls outside of the normal medically accepted practices. This can be anything from acupuncture and massage, to art therapy and, according to Arizona State University, spiritual healing practices.
None of these treatment approaches can guarantee to be any more or less effective than any other. Every person has different goals that need to be met while in recovery. This makes finding the right treatment center important.
Finding a Treatment Center with the Most to Offer
Addiction is a very complicated disease. No single treatment is right for every person or every situation. In order to give yourself the best shot at real recovery, you need a treatment center that offers the most options. This is where we can help.
We have knowledgeable and friendly staff standing by to assist you locating the best treatment center for your needs. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? today.
