Morphine Addiction Treatment & Rehab
Morphine use in the UK has the potential for misuse, leading to dependence and addiction, if you or someone you love is struggling with a morphine addiction, know that you are not alone, 0.1% (approx 67 000 people) of the adult population in the UK have reported misusing Opiates in their lifetime (Drug misuse in England and Wales: year ending March 2020)
Recovery is always possible, together we will go through understanding morphine addiction, seeking help, and what treatment options are available for you.
Understanding Morphine Addiction
Morphine increases the dopamine activity in your brain, creating a rewarding sense of euphoria in addition to relief from pain. These reward effects are enticing and may have led you to want a repeat of the experience that led to the dopamine activity, such reward reinforcement from continued use of morphine can lay the groundwork for addiction development. (Opioid Addiction: Signs & Addiction Treatment)
Morphine addiction is a chronic disease characterised by loss of control in using morphine, repeated drug-seeking, and relapse despite a desire to stop using.
If you would like to learn more about residential rehab or would like to speak to an expert regarding the different treatment centres here in the UK, please give us a call.
Recognising the Signs of Morphine Abuse
Whether you are concerned about your morphine use or suspect that someone you know is misusing morphine, some signs indicate dependence or addiction developing:
- Taking doses larger than those prescribed
- Increases in dosage without consulting a doctor
- Requiring early replacement prescriptions.
- Seeking opioids from different doctors and other prescribers, locum doctors, or doctors unfamiliar with your case.
- Obtaining medication from multiple different providers, NHS and private GPs
- Showing symptoms of withdrawal when morphine is unavailable
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive yawning
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Stomach cramps
- Neglecting your personal hygiene, lack of care or interest in responsibilities and activities.
(Diagnosis, identification and risk populations)
Why Morphine Addiction Treatment is Necessary
Whilst you may feel that you are in control of your morphine usage, there are short and long-term risks to continuing to use morphine in a way that is not prescribed:
- Addiction
- Increased depression
- Lowered heart rate and shallow breathing
- Mixing morphine and alcohol can be dangerous
There is never a bad time to seek help in stopping your morphine use.
Don’t be afraid to admit you have a problem
Since addiction of any substance causes feelings of isolation and despair often due to the stigma surrounding any mental illness, it is important to remember:
You didn’t cause the addiction – whether it is your own dependence or a loved ones
You can’t cure it – as a chronic illness, addiction requires guidance and support from medical professionals for you or your loved one to begin a life in recovery
You can’t control it – Addiction affects your brain’s chemistry, letting go of the need to control your or your loved ones morphine use will enable you to engage productively on recovery and focus energy on what you can control or change.
(These Are The 3 C’s Of Addiction Recovery)
When you or your loved one is ready to ask for help, we will be there to support you every step of the way.
Choosing a Treatment Option
Asking for help to treat morphine addiction takes a lot of courage, treatment needs to be available and accessible as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, some factors can influence where and how you receive treatment:
- Proximity
- Availability of space
- Affordability
- Treatment programmes
Let’s explore the options available:
Private Rehab(CBT)
Private rehabilitation is beneficial to the treatment of Morphine addiction and may include a combination of medical care, psychiatric services, counselling, behavioural therapy, vocational training, and other services to best support the whole of you throughout recovery.
Depending on the severity of your addiction to morphine, a medically supervised detox may be required, choosing a private rehab facility that offers detox as part of the treatment programme will help you seamlessly transition from detox into rehab.
How does Private Rehab Work?</4>
A private residential rehab programme can aid you in your recovery from detox through to rehabilitation by offering:
- Counselling with therapists – emphasising your ability to change
- Medications – to ease symptoms of withdrawal and minimise the effects of mental illness in the case of a dual diagnosis
- Supportive staff able to monitor and support your withdrawal 24/7
- Peer support, through group meetings and shared accommodation, helping you realise that you are not alone and you are part of a community.
The most effective programmes have a tailored approach to your addiction treatment and are developed around you and the best course of treatment needed for you.
Choosing a Rehab Centre
Start with a list of your needs:
-
- Mental and physical health support – if you are aware of an existing condition
- How are the staff trained?
- Are they licensed?
- Are they able to handle a medical emergency?
- Are counselling and medical services offered during detox?
- Does the centre have trained and certified professionals suitable for your treatment? Credible programs should offer a wide selection of evidence-based therapy options to find the right mix for you. The more options, the better your chance at success.
- Affordability
- Are the costs covered by health insurance? Are there payment plans available? What are they?
- Aftercare and relapse prevention needs
- Will you have access to counselling after rehab? Are there support groups available in your area?
The Care Quality Commission (Care Quality Commission (CQC)) is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. You can check the ratings of the treatment centre you are considering at any time before making your choice.
Inpatient VS Outpatient Services
Inpatient treatment is done at a private residential rehab facility whilst outpatient treatment is offered through private treatment centres, the NHS, and some charity organisations and involves you starting your detox and completing your rehabilitation while still at home.
Pros:
- Cheaper than private facilities
- Less time off work
- Recovery in a familiar environment
- Loved ones can provide care for you
- You are not restricted by rules, such as TV allowance time, smoke breaks, etc
- Privacy
Cons:
- Contact with trigger situations
- Having to continue with your day to day responsibilities whilst also experiencing withdrawals
- Medical needs aren’t assessed and monitored 24/7
- You won’t have the same access to support as those offered by residential detox & rehab programmes
- Risk of dehydration
Types of Behavioural Therapies for Treating Addiction
Currently, the UK Department of Health recommends a range of treatments be available for Morphine addiction rehabilitation, these are provided in conjunction with exercise, meditation, crafts, and nutrition sessions as a non-medical way through recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This type of therapy helps you to recognise your reactions to environmental and emotional stresses by focusing on learning new ways to cope with the stresses and triggers in your life without Morphine. (https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747)
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
Incorporates emotional regulation and mindfulness strategies whilst addressing thoughts and behaviours.
Multimodal Therapy
Also known as Combination Therapy, where a dual diagnosis is made (mix of mental health issues and substance abuse) there may be a need to treat both issues simultaneously, since trauma, family history, depression, etc may have led to your addiction developing, just treating the addiction is not enough, your mental health also requires treatment to prevent relapse. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424612/)
Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)
Identifies irrational beliefs, actively challenges these beliefs, and teaches you to recognise and change these thought patterns.
(https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/approaches)
Secondary Addiction Treatment
Once your initial treatment (generally a 28-day inpatient programme) has been completed, the need for ongoing support for you and your family is available to facilitate your journey back to living your life free of morphine. This secondary treatment can be a continuation of your stay in a residential rehab or with home-based support as an outpatient and will assist you with:
- Reintegration back into your daily life
- Relapse prevention
- Reestablishing a support network within your community and family
- Continuation of therapy
- Rebuilding your daily life skills
Paying for Treatment
Some private insurance providers do cover addiction treatment, if you have health insurance, you will need to check what costs are covered and if you will be liable for a copayment. If you are going private with no insurance a payment plan will have to be made, generally, a deposit will be asked for with payment over a couple of instalments the final one being on discharge.
For more information on the options available to you, please contact us.
Free Outpatient Services
No residential treatment for addiction is free, there are times where your treatment may be sponsored or funded by the NHS, Charity groups or benefactors.
The NHS only offers outpatient care for the treatment of addiction and there can be waiting lists before you may start treatment, so if you require urgent admission, contact us and we will help you find the right private treatment centre for your needs.
Advice on Quitting Morphine
Freeing yourself from the grip morphine has on your life isn’t going to happen overnight, you will need to work hard at staying in recovery, detox alone is not enough but with therapy to treat the underlying causes of addiction, you will be able to take your recovery seriously.
Start with removing any morphine paraphernalia from the home – needles, syringes, tablets etc so that you are not tempted to re-use
Find a new focus like exercise which is important for good mental health and physical well-being, it also helps you feel more confident. Choose something positive to replace your old habits.
Support Groups are Useful
Join a support group, Narcotics Anonymous (UKNA | Narcotics Anonymous in the UK or call them on 0300 999 1212) As you begin your abstinence from morphine you will be faced with issues that you weren’t able to cope with during rehab. Having a group of supporters in your corner to keep you motivated through their literal understanding of your journey will help. NA understands that for an addict ‘one is too many and a thousand never enough.’
Involve your family in your therapy, and give them options to join support groups that are dedicated to helping families, friends and loved ones of addicts:
- Adfam (Useful organisations)
- Families Anonymous (Famanon)
