What Happens When You Detox From Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that is prescribed to treat severe pain but has also been associated with abuse, addiction, and overdose deaths in recent years. Detoxing from fentanyl can be an intense process with significant withdrawal symptoms. Understanding what to expect during fentanyl detox and receiving proper medical support can help make withdrawal more tolerable and sustainable.
An Overview of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is roughly 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in various forms, such as transdermal patches, lozenges, or injectable solutions to treat acute pain in medical settings. It provides rapid and powerful analgesia, or pain relief, by binding to and activating opioid receptors in the brain.
While fentanyl has legitimate medical applications, illicit fentanyl is also manufactured and sold illegally. The extremely high potency of fentanyl significantly increases the risks of addiction and fatal overdose. According to the CDC, over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Causes of Fentanyl Addiction
There are a few key reasons why fentanyl addiction can develop:
Prescription Use: Some individuals prescribed fentanyl for pain relief can become dependent over time and experience withdrawal once their prescription ends.
Illicit Use: Many turn to illegally made fentanyl for its potent and inexpensive high compared to other opioids. It leads to rapid tolerance and severe addiction.
Unintentional Use: Illicit fentanyl is increasingly found mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine, leading some to develop a dependence unknowingly.
No matter the initial circumstances of someone's fentanyl use, the neuroadaptations caused by continued opioid exposure can lead to profound addiction and dependence.
Withdrawal from Fentanyl Addiction
When someone dependent on fentanyl suddenly stops or cuts back use, a constellation of withdrawal symptoms rapidly emerges as the brain adapts to the lack of opioids. Fentanyl detox and withdrawal can be described by several phases:
1. Early Withdrawal
This phase begins around 12-24 hours after the last fentanyl use. The first symptoms are generally anxiety, restlessness, sweating, and dilated pupils. More severe symptoms kick in quickly.
2. Acute Withdrawal
Starting 1-3 days after discontinuation, acute fentanyl withdrawal reaches its peak intensity. Symptoms may include:
Muscle and bone aches
Insomnia, nightmares
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Abdominal cramps and pain
Agitation or irritability
Rapid heartbeat
High blood pressure
3. Protracted Withdrawal
After about 5-7 days, most physical symptoms resolve. However, psychological symptoms can persist for weeks up to months. These may include:
Drug cravings
Mood swings
Anxiety or depression
Fatigue
Impaired cognition
Insomnia
Protracted withdrawal contributes heavily to the risk of relapse during early recovery without proper support.
Is Fentanyl Withdrawal Dangerous?
While fentanyl withdrawal itself is very uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening for most. However, some risks associated with unmanaged detox include:
Dehydration - Due to fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea if left untreated.
Relapse - To alleviate severe withdrawal discomfort, which can lead to overdose from loss of tolerance.
Self-harm - Suicidality may emerge due to depression during protracted withdrawal.
Medical complications - Existing cardiac, liver, or kidney issues can be exacerbated.
Because of these concerns, medically assisted detox is strongly recommended for fentanyl withdrawal.
Seeking Medical Help for Fentanyl Detox
Attempting fentanyl detox alone at home can be not only extremely uncomfortable but dangerous. Medically monitored detox, such as offered by the pH Wellness drug detox center near Rancho Cucamonga, provides proper care and eases withdrawal symptoms. A physician may utilize medications to reduce withdrawal side effects and drug cravings during the detox process.
Medications Used in Fentanyl Detox
Some medications that may be administered include:
Buprenorphine - A partial opioid agonist that binds to opioid receptors. It reduces drug cravings and blocks the effects of other opioids.
Methadone - A long-acting opioid agonist that prevents withdrawal symptoms for 24 hours or more. It is slowly tapered down.
Clonidine - Lowers blood pressure and reduces common symptoms like muscle aches, sweating, cramping, and anxiety.
Antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs - To treat psychiatric issues that may emerge.
Benefits of Medically Assisted Detox
Undergoing fentanyl detox treatment in Riverside, CA, with medical supervision and appropriate medications, provides a range of benefits:
Round-the-clock monitoring of vital signs by nurses.
Access to medications that alleviate challenging withdrawal symptoms.
Avoiding dangerous complications related to detox.
Oversight by addiction specialists who can motivate and counsel.
Seamless transition into a treatment program after detox completion.
What to Expect During Fentanyl Withdrawal Treatment
The overall timeline of fentanyl withdrawal may vary slightly depending on individual factors, but most people experience a similar progression of symptoms and stages. Here is a general guide to the detox process:
First 1-3 Days
This is when acute physical withdrawal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and cravings peak. Medications are administered to ease these symptoms. Vital signs are monitored Closely due to risks like blood pressure spikes.
3 Days to 1 Week
The most intense flu-like withdrawal symptoms begin improving by days 3-4. Medication is adjusted accordingly as discomfort decreases. Some lingering effects like insomnia and cravings persist.
1 Week +
After 5-7 days, physical withdrawal symptoms are typically resolved. This marks a transition into protracted withdrawal, where psychological symptoms like depression or concentration problems are addressed via therapy and counseling.
Throughout the detox and withdrawal process, patients receive 24/7 medical support and supervision. The overall length of withdrawal varies based on individual factors. Many begin to feel dramatically better physically within 5-7 days.
Following Up Detox with Comprehensive Addiction Treatment
Medically assisted detox alone is not sufficient to achieve lasting sobriety from fentanyl. Detox addresses physical dependence while comprehensive treatment is vital to manage the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of addiction.
Following detox, a personalized treatment plan is created, which may involve:
Inpatient rehab - For 24/7 support and intense counseling.
Outpatient programs - Such as intensive therapy while living at home.
Medication-assisted treatment - Using drugs like buprenorphine beyond detox.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) - To modify addictive thought and behavior patterns.
Contingency management - Rewards for maintaining sobriety.
Family education & therapy - Healing relationships damaged by addiction.
Recovery housing - Transitional sober living after residential treatment.
Support groups - 12-step programs reinforce long-term sobriety.
A comprehensive treatment plan addresses all bio-psycho-social aspects of addiction to support sustained recovery.
How to Prepare for Fentanyl Detox
Here are some important steps you can take to prepare yourself or a loved one before undergoing fentanyl detox:
Find a Reputable Treatment Facility
Look for experienced medical detox centers like pH Wellness that provide an integrated continuum of care from detox through rehabilitation and beyond.
Complete Medical and Mental Health Assessments
Thorough evaluations help create tailored treatment plans addressing any dual diagnosis issues or health complications.
Secure Insurance Approval
Meet with insurance representatives to gain approval for admission and understand all out-of-pocket costs. Check for any network restrictions.
Gather Supplies
Bring personal toiletries, changes of comfortable clothing, phone chargers, books, and other items that promote comfort.
Arrange Family Support
Inform the family about the upcoming detox process and arrange visits or communication opportunities to provide motivation.
Plan for Aftercare
Determine the next rehabilitation programs or services to seamlessly transition into.
With proper preparation and a strong treatment team, fentanyl detox can be tolerable and overcome. Sustained recovery hinges on completing detox safely and advancing to long-term evidence-based treatment.
What Factors Influence the Severity of Fentanyl Withdrawal?
The overall severity and duration of fentanyl withdrawal can be affected by certain factors:
Amount used - Higher fentanyl doses amplifies withdrawal intensity. Those injecting it intravenously tend to have worse symptoms.
Length of use - Using fentanyl for longer periods leads to greater physical dependence and more severe withdrawal.
Co-occurring disorders - Mental illnesses like anxiety or depression exacerbate withdrawal.
Previous detox attempts - Repeated detox with relapse can worsen subsequent withdrawals.
Adulterants in illicit fentanyl - Unknown additives may prolong withdrawal length.
Individual variation - Factors like genetics, health status, and metabolism affect withdrawal.
While the overall progression of fentanyl withdrawal follows a characteristic timeline, these factors contribute to the variable severity and duration among individuals. Medical providers conduct assessments to gauge the anticipated intensity and tailor treatment accordingly.
What are the Most Dangerous Aspects of Fentanyl Withdrawal?
Although not directly life-threatening in most cases, fentanyl withdrawal involves some inherent risks that require monitoring and mitigation:
Relapse - Many cannot withstand cravings and relapse to use fentanyl again. This brings severe risks of overdose and death from lost opioid tolerance. Medically supervised detox reduces relapse risks.
Dehydration - Vomiting, diarrhea, and fluid loss during withdrawal can lead to dangerously low fluid and electrolyte levels without proper hydration.
Suicidality - Some experience deep depression and suicidal thoughts during protracted withdrawal. Mood and behaviors are monitored closely.
Withdrawal seizures - Fentanyl withdrawal lowers the seizure threshold in some people, though this is more common with other types of drug withdrawal like alcohol or benzodiazepines.
Cardiac issues - The autonomic effects of opioid withdrawal like elevated heart rate and blood pressure must be managed to avoid heart attack, stroke, or arrhythmias in those with pre existing heart conditions.
Careful medical management, observation, and appropriate interventions are vital throughout detox to mitigate these risks until withdrawal resolves.
Seeking Help for Fentanyl Withdrawal at pH Wellness
The caring medical team at pH Wellness drug rehab and detox provide safe, comfortable, and effective detoxification from fentanyl addiction. We utilize an individualized approach using medications and 24/7 monitoring to ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Our highly experienced addiction medicine specialists stabilize patients and seamlessly transition them into our comprehensive residential rehabilitation program. We address all underlying bio-psycho-social contributors to addiction and build a strong foundation for long-term recovery.
With research-based medical detox and integrated treatment, we can help you reclaim your health, happiness, and purpose.
Take the first step towards overcoming fentanyl dependence. Call pH Wellness now at 844-549-2488 for a free, confidential consultation.