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Detox Treatment for Morphine

Morphine sulfate is an opiate drug that comes in white, feathery crystal form. It has been used to relieve pain since the invention of the hypodermic in the mid-1800's. Morphine affects the brain's reward system, so it is very easy to get addicted and very difficult to withdraw from the drug, in both a physical and psychological sense. Those trying to withdraw suffer through chills, nausea, sweating, diarrhea, and muscle aches for up to three days.

  1. Cold Turkey Withdrawal

    • Getting off morphine cold turkey, that is without the aid of other drugs to lessen the withdrawal symptoms or cravings is considered by some to be the method most likely to bring success. Withdrawal symptoms can be very severe, however, and can even cause stroke, heart attack and death.

    Detox Facility With Medication Assistance

    • Most drug rehab facilities have a detoxification program before therapy. Often, supportive drugs are given to reduce nausea and diarrhea and to help with muscle pain and sleeplessness. These facilities have trained personnel that can assist with all areas of morphine detoxification.

    Methadone-Assisted Detox

    • Methadone is a synthetic opiate used to help lessen the symptoms of heroin or morphine withdrawal. It also blocks the feelings of euphoria associated with opiate use. It can help to take patients out of the morphine addiction cycle, but since it, too, is addictive, there may be withdrawal symptoms when attempting to get the patient off methadone.

    Buprenorphine-Assisted Detox

    • A drug called buprenorphine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003 for use in detoxification from morphine. Buprenorphine was developed as a pain medication and was once only used in hospitals. It does not adhere as strongly to the receptors in the brain, so patients can be given buprenoprphine to assist with withdrawal symptoms and cravings, then weaned off it without severe withdrawal reactions.

    Rapid Detox Treatment

    • Rapid detox is a method of detoxification that attempts a "painless" detoxification process. The patient is put under a general anesthetic in a full-service hospital for a period of five to eight hours. During this time, medications are given to block the brain receptors, to help with cravings and to help with withdrawal symptoms. When the patient is brought back to consciousness, the majority of withdrawal effects are done, and the patient can begin therapy relieved of physical discomfort. This method does not tackle psychological addiction, which must be treated with traditional methods of addiction therapy. Most insurance does not pay for this procedure, which costs from $6,000 to $15,000.

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