Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms
Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms: The Morphine Detox Process
For many, morphine is an entity heard about through the news, through podcasts, radio, and newspaper updates that give us the current death toll due to the morphine withdrawal symptoms or overdoses, but what is morphine? And what are the symptoms to look out for when planning to withdrawal from morphine? Well to begin taking a look at these deeper questions, we first need to understand what morphine is. In direct terms morphine is an extremely potent, pain reliever. It's a powerful painkiller that works wonders for patients suffering from severe, chronic pains.
In fact, it is sometimes used to help patients escape the grip of heroin addiction. Unfortunately, with this effective treatment, comes a high potential for recreational abuse. Morphine is even stronger than more commonly prescribed painkillers, depending on the source, and the method administered, but it is certainly the cause for a significant amount of overdose deaths across the globe.
There are a number of ways that morphine is administered but the most common when used recreationally is injections. They are also the most likely method of administering to lead to withdrawal from morphine.
Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms:
- Upset Stomach, Nausea, and Vomiting
- Constipation, or Trouble with Bowel Movements
- Heart Palpitations, or Slowed Heart Rate
- Labored or Trouble Breathing
- Trouble Focusing or Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Aches and Pains
- Exhaustion or Trouble Moving
- Excessive or Irregular Sweating
- Itchy Skin
- Constricted Pupils
- Increased Risk of Seizures
Currently, the DEA classifies morphine as a Schedule II substance. This relates to the drugs high potential for abuse, and it's dangerous nature. Morphine addiction is quick, and places the user in vice-like grip. Because of this, prescription use is generally under strict supervision by medically trained physicians.
What Symptoms Can You Expect When You Plan to Withdrawal From Morphine?
In most cases, the deadliest side effects of morphine detox come in the form of respiratory failure. Being as potent as the drug is, morphine is generally reserved for opioid tolerant patients or patients with pain severe enough to warrant a substance stronger than morphine. If a recreational user is used to the dose amounts associated with heroin or morphine, than they may be inclined to use much more morphine than is considered safe, presenting a major risk for morphine overdose. Even worse, if a person who has never used opioids attempts to experiment with morphine, they are almost guaranteed to witness the morphine abuse side effects first hand, as the drug is so potent that using it without prior opioid experience presents a major risk of overdose.
The Risks Associated with Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms
As we mentioned before, one of the biggest risks associated with the withdrawal from morphine is respiratory failure. When used in heavy doses, morphine slows the heart rate and breathing of the user, producing the slow and sloth-like behavior that we generally associate with opioid use. However, due to morphine's high potency, breathing may slow to an almost non-existent rate before the user has to time to register that their body is failing them. The nature of the morphine abuse side effects is perfectly illustrated in this situation, it's fast acting, powerful, and in most cases a morphine overdose is over before the user has time to respond.
Perhaps the scariest thing about the risk in morphine overdose, and morphine related deaths, is that many of the users that fall victim to these do not know that they are using morphine. It's common practice amongst recreational heroin dealers to mix morphine, which is generally cheaper and more potent than heroin, with other opioids in order to cut costs while getting users hooked on a more addicted and potent product. While this may result in better profits for the dealer, it results in a much more difficult morphine detox.
Here are a number of signs and symptoms of morphine overdose to look out for:
- Trouble Swallowing
- Extreme Fatigue or Exhaustion
- Fainting, Lightheadedness, or Dizziness
- Labored Breathing, Respiratory Arrest
- Heart Palpitations, or Cardiac Arrest
- Lack of Response to Pain
- Trouble Focusing or Extreme Confusion
- Trouble Responding to Words or Normal Stimulus
Are you or someone you know struggling with morphine withdrawal symptoms? The morphine detox process and the symptoms associated with withdrawal from morphine can be extremely serious. Seek help.