Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous opioid. According to a STAT News report, it has been responsible for about 73.000 overdoses. Realizing the danger, you would think many people would seek treatment immediately, yet many continue to battle with their dependency issues.
One reason people may not get care is fear of the unknown. They may not know what to expect and may be especially reluctant to experience fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. While we can’t tell you detox is fun, we can provide you with a fentanyl withdrawal symptoms timeline to set your expectations.
Although detox may be unppleasant, leading a healthier life is so worth it.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid, 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is prescribed to reduce pain, and works with opioid receptors in the body to calm neurotransmitters that send pain signals to the brain. However, it is also often purchased illegally on the street, with most products being mixed with other toxic substances, and used irresponsibly.
Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Like many opioids, fentanyl is dangerous because it produces a powerful dopamine release. It creates intense euphoria, rewiring the brain to compulsively seek this rewarding feeling. The drug also reduces the body’s ability to produce it’s own ‘feel-good’ effects, making it difficult to feel normal without the drug in its system.
When the drug is not active, individuals experience withdrawal symptoms as their bodies struggle to adjust to sobriety. They develop an increased tolerance requiring more of the drug to get the same results. These are signs that an opioid use disorder has developed.
Although any opioid can produce these results, fentanyl is especially dangerous. Even a small amount can cause respiratory depression, a potentially fatal condition.
About Fentanyl Detox
For people aiming to recover from a fentanyl addiction, detox is typically the first step. It involves allowing the body to ‘dry out’. People often experience opioid withdrawal symptoms as they try to adjust.
These include:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Chills
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Mood swings
What is the Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline?
Here’s what you can expect when you begin your detox journey:
- 6-12 hours: Symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, muscle aches, a runny nose, sweating, and yawning
- 24-72 hours: Symptoms peak with severe flu-like symptoms, such as chills, nausea, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea
- 2-7 days: Physical symptoms subside with lingering fatigue, depression, and cravings
- 1-4 weeks +: Patients may experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), which may be ongoing, but can be managed over time.
The process may be unpleasant, but most people can completely overcome symptoms within a few moths, a small price to pay for a lifetime of health and happiness.
Are Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms Dangerous?
Fortunately, opioid withdrawal is not as life-threatening as alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal. There is a much lower risk of seizures or an accelerated heart rate. However, there are some dangers to be aware of, such as:
- Reduced Opioid Tolerance: Tolerance levels drop dramatically within the first 3-7 days of detox. If people relapse, they may not realize how fentanyl will impact them and take higher doses, leading to an increased risk of overdose.
- Mental Risks: Although physical symptoms are typically non-fatal, people may experience severe mood swings, leading them to engage in risky behavior and suicidal ideation.
- Severe Withdrawal: Issues like respiratory problems and seizures are rare, but they can occur, especially in people who have experienced similar symptoms before and those with pre-existing conditions.
How the Encino Detox Center Alleviates Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with, and patients are often tempted to relapse to experience relief. However, the team at Encino Detox Center uses various techniques to keep patients as comfortable as possible. We offer the following opioid withdrawal management techniques:
- Medically Assisted Detox: Various medications are used to reduce cravings and symptoms. For example, buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that blocks fentanyl’s effects and reduces symptoms and cravings. Methadone normalizes brain chemistry and reduces cravings. Naltrexone blocks opioid effects.
- Vital Signs Monitoring: We monitor vital signs to prevent severe symptoms, such as an elevated heart rate and seizures.
- Relapse Prevention: Our oversight ensures relapse does not occur, supporting a successful recovery.
Care Beyond Detox
Detox is the first step of addiction treatment, but it’s certainly not the last. We continue to support patients, targeting the underlying causes of opioid dependence, often a mental health disorder. A 2020 NIH study reveals that a combination of medicated detox and therapy helped 50.8% of 533 patients achieve 12-month abstinence.
Our techniques include:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): Teaches people to identify and address negative thought processes to promote healthier behavior.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on emotional regulation.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Teaches clients to accept negative behaviors and treat them as events rather than commands.
- Motivational Enhancement (ME): Motivates a person to improve.
- Contingency Management (CM): Rewards people for sobriety.
Aftercare
After clients complete the initial stages of recovery, including detox and therapy, we continue to support them, ensuring they maintain long-term recovery from drug alcohol dependence. A 2021 study found that clients who receive aftercare achieve success rates of 57-79%, compared with 47-66% with treatment as usual.
We guide them with the following techniques and recommendations:
- Ongoing Therapy: We recommend patients continue attending therapy sessions, including group and individual counseling, to support sobriety maintenance.
- Sober Living: Our team can recommend sober living facilities where clients can learn skills and adjust to everyday life.
- Mindfulness Exercises: We encourage patients to participate in mindfulness exercises, such as meditation and deep breathing, to support emotional regulation.
- Diet and Exercise: A healthy diet and exercise routine increase accountability and reduce stress, supporting a recovery journey.
- Healthy Habits: Clients should engage in healthy habits that take their mind off drug use, improve mood, and boost self-esteem.
Encino Detox Center Offers Effective Fentanyl Treatment
Encino Detox Center offers effective detox with an integrated approach. We use dual diagnosis treatment that focuses on addiction and its underlying cause . Our Holistic techniques address various aspects of dependence, leading to long-term recovery.
Our luxury facility offers a spa-like atmosphere, conductive to healing. Guests can enjoy our large, private bedrooms and shooting grounds. Located in Encino, you can appreciate the surroundings of one nicest Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Contact us to learn more about how we support our clients’ well-being.
FAQs
What is the clinical opiate withdrawal scale?
The clinical opiate withdrawal scale (COWS) measures the severity of symptoms of 11 symptoms, including resting pulse, joint and bone pain, digestive upset, tremors, anxiety, etc., on a scale from 5-36+. It informs intervention to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
How severe is fentanyl withdrawal compared to other opioids?
Fentanyl withdrawal tends to produce more severe symptoms that peak faster and dissipate sooner. Acute symptoms typically dissipate within 7-10 days, although PAWS effects can be moderate to severe.
How long before I feel normal after fentanyl withdrawal?
Physical symptoms typically resolve in 7-10 days, but psychological symptoms (PAWS) such as cravings and mood swings can last for weeks or months. Full recovery can take 3-12 months with medication and therapy.
What increases fentanyl withdrawal severity?
Fentanyl withdrawal can worsen with heavy use, polysubstance use, poor health, and no medical support.
What coping strategies work during fentanyl withdrawal?
You can ease symptoms by hydrating, eating lightly, taking comfort measures such as warm baths, distracting yourself with mindfulness, exercise, and healthy habits, and reaching out for support.