Author: John Carter

What Causes Fentanyl Withdrawal and How Can You Manage It?

Counseling can help you learn ways to cope with stress, identify early warning signs of relapse and keep you from taking opioids. Your healthcare professional may recommend continued counseling after you’ve completed your opioid taper. Ask your healthcare team if you’re not sure when you can stop your opioid medicine.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and most people benefit from medical supervision while detoxing. You may need additional medications to mitigate the effects of withdrawal. If you have developed a dependence on fentanyl or other opioids, your body will negatively react when you stop taking the medicine.

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1. Opioids work by triggering your brain to release chemicals called endorphins.
2. As the body clears the fentanyl and adjusts to its absence, the unpleasant experience of withdrawal occurs.
3. Withdrawal symptoms from opioids usually begin around 12 hours after the last dose is taken.
4. Although fentanyl is only legally available with a prescription, imitation fentanyl is often made in illegal drug labs.

People should find treatment to address the reasons behind the substance use and recover from the mental and physical damage caused by drug use. Other medications may also be used during fentanyl detox in order to help with specific symptoms. These include sedatives, such as benzodiazepines, and the medication clonidine, which helps reduce some withdrawal symptoms.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms and Detox Timeline

This slow tapering also helps ease the discomfort you may feel as you stop taking opioids. During this time, you can practice new skills to manage pain and other long-term symptoms too. Your doctor will determine your dosage, how often you take the replacement drugs, and how long you will be on the program. The treatment can also be a long-term approach to managing opioid addiction. If you have taken fentanyl for more than two weeks, you should work with your doctor on a plan to stop taking it.

This is very dangerous, though, because illicitly-produced fentanyl is not regulated. You may get a dose that is significantly higher than what is safe. In some cases, you can slowly reduce the amount of fentanyl you take until you no longer need it.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, and Detox Treatment

It is important to keep in mind that recovery from substance addiction takes much more than simply ending drug use. The underlying causes of the addiction and the mental devastation from the addiction itself must be addressed for the best chances of a successful recovery. Quitting cold turkey is not recommended, as it is the most difficult way to stop fentanyl use. These same properties — high potency, quick onset of action and short half-life — make fentanyl ideal for drug dealers. Tiny amounts of the powder can be put into drugs to increase potency, create “fake” drugs or make it easier to smuggle. People get high very quickly, and then the drug is rapidly metabolized by the body.

How is fentanyl addiction treated?

Withdrawal symptoms from opioids usually begin around 12 hours after the last dose is taken. This drug is highly addictive and can be dangerous when taken in high doses. There is also a significant amount of illegal fentanyl produced and sold in the United States. There are safe, effective ways to manage the symptoms of withdrawal and help control cravings. You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Treatment X treatment program when calling the helpline.

Some opioids are made from the plant directly, and others, like fentanyl, are made by scientists in labs using the same chemical structure (semi-synthetic or synthetic). We provide an easy transition from detox to inpatient rehab, as our detox programs are located inside our inpatient rehab facilities. We also offer numerous outpatient programs across MA and RI for those who wish to transition to some form of outpatient care. To find another treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator.

Fentanyl Withdrawal: Signs, Timeline, And Treatment

There are two inpatient AdCare facilities, one medical drug detox center in Massachusetts, and one medical drug detox center in Rhode Island. However, the fentanyl withdrawal timeline may vary depending on the person’s metabolism and how long they have been using the drug. Many people would like to stop using fentanyl but keep taking the drug to relieve intense cravings and other fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. Remember that detox does not in any way constitute treatment for fentanyl addiction.

The buprenorphine product Suboxone is commonly used during opioid detox. Besides buprenorphine, Suboxone also contains naloxone, which blocks opioid receptor sites to prevent any attempts of abuse. If you find yourself having difficulty during your taper, support from others can be very helpful. If you and your healthcare professional think you have an opioid use disorder, voluntary groups such as Narcotics Anonymous are structured support groups. They are led by other people who have been dependent on addictive substances. These groups can be a powerful support network for those who find that they aren’t able to quit using opioids despite their best efforts.