Morphine Withdrawal Treatment

There is treatment to help you overcome your addiction morphine!

Morphine withdrawal occurs when an individual who has taken morphine, either as prescribed or for recreational purposes, abruptly quits using the drug. The symptoms of morphine withdrawal can be difficult to cope with and, for an addict, are often enough to make them resort back to using the drug in an effort to get past the point of having to deal with the negative effects of quitting. Morphine withdrawal treatment can help you overcome withdrawal symptoms without relapsing back to previous habits of drug abuse.

Treatment of Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms

A regulated opiate with an extreme potential for abuse, morphine can quickly lead to physical dependence which results in withdrawal symptoms when the user tries to quit. Treatment of morphine withdrawal symptoms provide some relief but even with proper care, the process of detoxification can be challenging at best. Some of the most severe symptoms of morphine withdrawal, which most definitely require medical treatment, include:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety and agitation
• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle and bone pain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Stomach cramps

Many of the symptoms of morphine withdrawal can be effectively treated using buprenorphine or colonidine. While both of these medications can be used to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, neither will actually stop the cravings which come as a result of discontinued use of the drug so this aspect of treatment will be left to the user to cope with or to find another means of treatment for.

Medications that Help in Morphine Withdrawal Treatment

Some medications work to alleviate symptoms of withdrawal while others actually provide some relief from the actual cravings that come when a user stops taking morphine. The most commonly used medications in the treatment of morphine withdrawal include:

• Buprenorphine – a medication that blocks the opiate receptors to reduce the effects of morphine or other opiates.
• Clonidine – a medication that reduces the level of adrenaline in the patient effectively lowering anxiety and helping the user to resort back to a less stressed level.
• Methadone – an opiate agonist that actually tricks the brain into thinking that it is receiving morphine or other opiates and works to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is highly addictive which poses additional risks for the user.
• Vitamin B6 – a vitamin that is responsible for the increased production of serotonin which is responsible for boosting mood and making the user feel “good.”
• Over-the-Counter Medications such as ibuprofen or similar pain relievers that can help ease bone or muscle aches. Anti-Diarrhea medications may be used for the treatment of mild to moderate diarrhea during morphine withdrawal and antihistamines may be taken to help reduce withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness or insomnia.

Morphine withdrawal treatment will typically take place over a period of about two weeks during which the user’s symptoms will peak and then begin to diminish. Most of the symptoms of withdrawal are merely difficult to cope with and uncomfortable but they are not typically a danger to the addict. Medical intervention is encouraged simply to make sure that the user is safe and that if any adverse symptoms do arise that proper medical treatment is available immediately.