Fentanyl is known for being one of the most potent opioids used to treat severe pain like bone pain; it is commonly used for cancer patients. Considering that these synthetic opioids are up to 100 times stronger than morphine, they could potentially cause substance abuse problems in some patients.
Unfortunately, there have been several drug abuse cases involving illicit fentanyl use. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were at least 107,622 overdose deaths in the US in 2021. Moreover, 80,816 of those deaths involved opioid addiction.
Illicit opioids like fentanyl are often mixed with other drugs to create a stronger effect, which makes things worse for those who don’t know what they’re consuming. Those dealing with substance abuse regarding fentanyl must understand how to go through the fentanyl withdrawal symptoms in a safer way.
One of the best ways to go through fentanyl addiction treatment is to consider assisted treatment under medical supervision. Moreover, you should follow the treatment with ongoing support to live a healthier life. Some of these treatment options are recommended by institutions like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The next page will show how medication-assisted treatment can help people safely overcome complicated fentanyl withdrawal symptoms.
What Are the Risks of Fentanyl?
One of the main reasons this prescription drug can become an opioid use disorder for some people is that fentanyl binds to opioid receptors of the brain, which can help cause immediate feelings of euphoria and relaxation, eventually causing tolerance in some people.
Typically, people get fentanyl patches, which allow the skin to absorb it faster; this allows the medication to bind to opioid receptors, causing that relaxation.
It’s important to note that, while people can typically find these opioids as prescription medications, this drug is also available in the black market and through drug dealers, encouraging fentanyl misuse even more.
Even if you don’t have an opioid addiction, you must be careful with how you consume fentanyl. You must pay attention to potential side effects and can’t consume it alongside other substances, such as alcohol.
How Long Does Fentanyl Last in Your Body?
The average half-life of fentanyl is 219 minutes, which means you can start experiencing withdrawal symptoms within a few hours of taking it. On the other hand, if you use a fentanyl patch, you could experience withdrawal symptoms within 24 to 36 hours.
As for drug tests, fentanyl can show up in urine tests within 72 hours from your last dose. On the other hand, a hair test can identify the presence of the drug in your body for up to three months.
What Are the Most Typical Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms?
The withdrawal process for fentanyl tends to be hard for the patient. Typically, a person can experience withdrawal symptoms within 12 to 30 hours after taking the last dose. Considering how intense the opioid withdrawal symptoms are, it’s vital for the patient to have the proper physical and emotional support during these challenging times.
Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal from this synthetic opioid include the following:
- Emotional symptoms (i.e., depression)
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Fever
- Muscular aches
- Chills (Runny nose, stomach cramps, sweating, etc.).
- Intense cravings for the opioid
Regardless of the symptoms the person is experiencing, getting the right detox treatment from the right American addiction centers will make withdrawal management much easier.
How Long Does it Take to Detox From Fentanyl?
As mentioned before, fentanyl may have a slightly different withdrawal timeline, depending on the patient. Some factors that can affect how the fentanyl withdrawal timeline works on the patient include genetics, underlying medical needs, and the severity of the addiction.
The following section will explain how the fentanyl withdrawal symptoms look on average.
Early Stage
Overall, the “early stage” may happen two to four hours after the person’s last dosage. Some of the symptoms the person may start to experience include the following:
- Chills
- Cravings
- Intense sweating
- Goosebumps
- Insomnia
- Shaking
- Anxiety
- Runny nose
Peak Stage
The “peak stage” is considered the most dangerous stage for fentanyl withdrawal since there’s an increased risk of suffering severe symptoms.
Generally speaking, the peak stage will happen within two to four days after the last dosage, and it has the risk of making the primary symptoms much worse. In these cases, the detox treatment center workers may have to pay close attention to the patient since it’s possible for them to have seizures.
Long-term Stage
Although the long-term stage goes easier on the physical symptoms, this is the part of the withdrawal process where the person will experience psychological symptoms, such as the following:
- Depression
- Guilt
- Anger
- Low self-esteem
- Self-loathing
- Relapse dreams
- Anhedonia
- Pink Cloud Syndrome
Fortunately, the physical symptoms are much more manageable, so as long as the person has the right help from American addiction centers, they will be able to overcome this addiction treatment stage much more easily.
Typically, the long-term stage starts after the first week of detox.
Can You Go Cold Turkey Instead of a Medical Detox?
Some patients prefer to quit cold turkey instead of seeking addiction treatment from an approved center. Unfortunately, some opioids (primarily fentanyl) are known for lowering a person’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. If the patient stops taking the drug abruptly, that could cause a wide range of health problems during recovery, particularly heart attacks or strokes.
When dealing with fentanyl, getting addiction treatment and addiction medicine from an approved center will always be the best option.
Overcoming Fentanyl Addiction with a Medical Detox Center
Those who abuse alcohol or drugs like fentanyl will experience positive benefits from seeking help from a treatment center. Professional detoxification services will give the person the right withdrawal schedule so that their body and mind don’t experience harsh side effects.
Some doctors, for example, get the patient on weaning off schedule so that the withdrawal symptoms are more manageable. Other doctors could replace fentanyl with other replacement drugs like Naltrexone.
First, the medical detox center will assess the patient for physical or mental health issues. Additionally, the patient will get checked for any underlying conditions or polydrug usage that could affect the detox process.
Once the doctors have an outline of the patient’s medical profile, they will begin to draft a detox treatment tailored to them; this includes assigning a group of doctors and therapists. One of the most noteworthy of the detox process is having support, which is why these plans often include therapeutic interventions for the patient.
How Will a Medical Fentanyl Detox Help People?
Generally speaking, detox treatment is always challenging to overcome, especially with a potent substance like fentanyl. Proper medical supervision will ensure the patient’s long-term recovery, so they’re no longer emotionally or physically dependent on fentanyl or other opioids.
Any person experiencing an unhealthy reliance on fentanyl or other opioids will likely feel like their lives are getting out of control. Some common indicators that someone is going through an addiction process include the following:
- Isolation
- Extreme drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Not being able to quit taking the drug
- Loss of appetite
- Personal neglect
- and more
Regardless of the type of addiction the patient has, they must seek help as soon as possible. It may seem impossible to overcome the addiction at first, but the process will become much easier once the patient gets the support they need.
Detox centers for fentanyl will offer the patient a safe place where they can recover and get back to living their lives. The suitable rehabilitation facility will provide patients with all of the services necessary to achieve a full recovery, including:
- Medical services
- Social services and wellness support
- Community of patients
- Behavioral services
Moreover, these centers will also help treat any underlying conditions that may affect recovery. In short, the person will have a dedicated team working hard toward a more efficient recovery.
Some of the most common advantages a patient can experience from these centers include the following:
Tailored and Compassionate Treatments
Every patient is different, so there’s no definitive way to tell how the detox process will work for a particular person. Some patients may even need emergency interventions.
The right medical team will create an effective treatment plan that will address the patient’s particular needs. Moreover, these treatment plans often include emotional support through counseling, group therapy, meditation, and more,
Psychological Recovery
Physical recovery is one thing, but those who want to make a full recovery must also address the psychological process. Not dealing with the psychological part of the detox will make the patient more likely to relapse.
Those with help from the right team will not have such intense cravings for the drug once they leave the facility.
Post-detox Aftercare
Recovery goes beyond a full-body detox. Most people will need post-detox plans and outpatient care to ensure they don’t relapse. Thankfully, approved facilities will offer a wide range of outpatient support options for people once they leave the facility.
Bottom Line | Seeking Help the Right Way with a Fentanyl Detox Center
“Drug-alcohol depends (dependence)” is a serious matter. When it comes to fentanyl, a heavy addiction could potentially attempt to harm the patient’s life. While taking the first action toward recovery is the hardest one, getting help from the right detox center will ensure that the patient gets the proper counseling and help so that they can regain control over their lives.
If you or someone you value is going through a fentanyl addiction, reach out to our team today so that we can provide you with all of the resources necessary to achieve a healthy recovery.
