Morphine Rehabilitation: How Long?

Morphine is a prescription medicine used to relieve severe pain but it comes with a high addiction potential. Read here about why experts recommend a minimum stay of 60-90 days in rehab. Plus, an outline of basic addiction treatments that reputable rehabs employ.

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Rehabiltations can take 60-90 days

Morphine is used to help manage moderate to severe pain by altering the body’s perception of pain. But it is one of the most potent opiates known to man. It binds to opiate receptors in the brain and regular consumption can lead to dependence and addiction within a few weeks. This why morphine has been classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

In fact, when addiction to morphine occurs, you may require a stay in rehab to successfully quit this opioid. This is because you need help to manage the physical and psychological issues which occur. Medical detox can address withdrawal symptoms…followed by therapy and medication assisted treatment.

But, how do experts treat morphine addiction? How long does the best type of morphine rehabilitation last? We explore the variations in length of morphine rehabilitation in depth here. If you still have questions after reading, we invite you to post them at the end. We’ll try to answer you personally and promptly.

Morphine rehabilitation: How long does it take?

Morphine remains in the human body for up to 30 days. Therefore, the minimum morphine rehabilitation usually requires longer than 28 days in order to achieve real recovery. Considering the serious withdrawal effects of morphine and its high dependence and addiction potential, short term rehabilitation programs are not generally recommended. Rehab from morphine should be taken very seriously, since many individuals do not perceive that they have developed dependence to morphine until they stop using the drug.

Morphine rehabilitation duration

The length of morphine rehabilitation should be determined in consultation with licensed clinical psychologists and medical professionals like MDs that specialize in addiction medicine. The adequate duration of your morphine treatment program can be determined by taking the following key elements into consideration:

  • your drug history
  • number of times you have relapsed
  • previous treatment attempts

When your doctor looks trough these variables, you will have a much clearer picture of what treatment options to consider. The duration of a rehab stay ultimately depends on your willingness to enter treatment, but you should keep in mind that your ultimate goal needs to be achieving long-term abstinence.

Morphine rehab programs can do the following in order to help you achieve a successful sobriety:

  • Attend to all of your medical needs during medical detox and withdrawal.
  • Explore your psychological and emotional issues.
  • Encourage you through a healthy lifestyle guidance program.
  • Facilitate family healing.
  • Guide you through the transition period.

In order to receive all of these benefits, many patients choose a 60-90 day stay in an inpatient (residential) rehab program.

A synopsis of treatment programs and their lengths

Inpatient morphine rehabilitation – Inpatient treatment involves residential stay at a facility for a period of 30 to 90 days. This type of treatment works best for people with more serious cases of morphine addiction or for those who have experienced one or several relapses. Living away from home allows you to work on recovery in a place where you don’t have access to morphine or other drugs.

Inpatient morphine rehab generally includes the following therapies:

  • Medical detoxification
  • Psychotherapy and Behavioral Therapy
  • Medication Assisted Treatment (methadone, buprenorphine)
  • Individual, group and family counseling
  • Support group attendance

Long term inpatient morphine rehabilitation – This treatment protocol usually last from 120 to 180 days and strives to provide a more home-like atmosphere for those diagnosed with more severe drug problems. Sometimes, these programs can last up to a year, based on individual treatment needs and preferences, and your addiction professional’s advise.

Outpatient rehabilitation – Outpatient treatment includes a set of counseling appointments and other types of therapy and last from 10-16 weeks, or longer if needed. The difference is that outpatient rehab sessions take place during the day and then you leave the facility to go home where you can resume with other every-day responsibilities that include family, work, or school. However, doctors and addiction specialists don’t always recommend outpatient treatment for morphine addiction due to the severity and seriousness of morphine withdrawal.

Morphine rehabilitation: Short term vs. long term

If you have only been taking morphine for a short period of time post-op, then you are likely to have easier time stopping.

After long-term morphine therapy (even if you always took it as prescribed by your doctor) and especially if you have been taking it more frequently, in larger doses, or abusing morphine illegally, the best and safest way to quit morphine is through long term recovery program. Taking control of your addiction requires constant care and work. This is much easier accomplished with the assistance of an expert staff that is ready to lead you through each step of your recovery road.

Average morphine rehabilitation

The average morphine rehab is usually from 60 to 90 days. There is no maximum length of rehab stay and you can stay in rehab for as long as you have a real need. You can continue attending counseling and psychotherapy sessions for years after your official morphine rehab stay is over. This will ensure a continuous progress and support, which are crucial for staying substance-free for life.

Morphine rehabilitation timeline

What happens when you seek help from a drug rehabilitation center? Typically, treatment follows in four predicatable stages.

1. Assessment. When you enter a rehab, an addiction specialist will ask you questions about the history of your morphine use. You can expect to undergo a series of physical and psychological evaluations to determine the level of addiction, and any damage that the drug use has caused. At this point, you will get to discuss your treatment goals and will be given an outline of the program.

2. Detox. After checking in, you will go through the process of detoxification if your body has become drug dependent. Morphine detox includes medical care to address withdrawal sympoms as they occur and aims to make the process more comfortable. A reputable rehab will also offer you counseling and emotional support as a part of this phase of treatment.

3. Behavioral Treatment, Psychotherapy, and Medications. When you become morphine-free you’ll be ready to continue treatment via talk therapy that is supported by the prescription of medications. Medicines like buprenorphine and methadone can address cravings for morphine so that you can focus on the inner work of psychological and emotional resolution.

4. Aftercare. Recovery isn’t “completed” when you leave rehab. Continued aftercare treatment through counseling and psychotherapy can be included to ensure that you are staying on the right track and that you continue to achieving positive life goals now that you are morphine free. Most programs can also transition you to sober living, 1/2 way or 3/4 way houses.

Duration of morphine rehabilitation questions

Did we cover the basics? If you still have any questions or comments about the duration of morphine rehab, feel free to post them in the designated section at the end of the page. We try to respond personally and promptly to all legitimate inquiries.

Reference Sources: Medline Plus: Morphine Sulfate Injection
FDA: Morphine Sulfate – Medication guide
NCBI: History of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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