Fentanyl Withdrawal and treatment

Effects of fentanyl addiction include:

• Extreme happiness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Sedation
• Problems breathing
• Unconsciousness

Fentanyl users develop a dependency by continually increasing doses in order to achieve the same level of “high.” Addiction, especially when it comes to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, is extremely difficult to treat as patients will experience symptoms of withdrawal in order to discontinue the cycle of drug abuse. Patients can experience these symptoms as soon as a few hours after using fentanyl depending on the amount of time they’ve been using, the frequency and dosage amount, and the weight of the individual.

Signs of fentanyl withdrawal include:

• Nausea
• Severe cravings
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure)
• Depression

Symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include:

• Muscle cramps and bone pain
• Chills
• Sweating
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Cold flashes with goosebumps
• Uncontrollable leg movements
• Dehydration

People who experience fentanyl withdrawal are also more likely to overdose when they relapse. If they start using the same amount they did before recovery, their tolerance may have increased if years have passed.

Since there are different types of fentanyl, your withdrawal symptoms and their duration depend on what type you’ve used. They also depend on how you used fentanyl, whether you injected it or used an extended-release patch.

For example, Actiq, which is a short-form release form of fentanyl that comes as a lollipop, can produce withdrawal symptoms six to 12 hours after your last use. An extended-release fentanyl patch like Duragesic, though, has a longer withdrawal timeline. Symptoms can show up 12 to 48 hours after you stop using it, and symptoms can last up to three weeks.

For these reasons, there isn’t an exact timeline for fentanyl withdrawal.

2-4 Hours

Initial fentanyl withdrawal symptoms will begin.

Days 1-2

Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms are at their worst.

Days 2-10

Your fentanyl withdrawal symptoms start to die down.

Due to the high risk of overdose, coupled with the high probability of withdrawal symptoms upon cessation, it’s in a person’s best interest to seek detox treatment at a licensed substance abuse treatment facility like Harmony Ridge. Attempting to detox from fentanyl and other opioids at home will put you in imminent danger. Complications resulting from discontinuing any drug are greatly reduced, if not eliminated when performed in the safety and supervision of a licensed medical professional.

In the event a patient experiences any discomfort from withdrawal during the detoxification process, our highly skilled substance abuse treatment professionals at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center will quickly determine the appropriate actions to take to alleviate any temporary pain or discomfort the patient is experiencing. This can’t be done if the patient is at home.

From the moment you or your loved one calls Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, your health and well-being is our top priority. Our substance abuse treatment center provides a safe, quiet, and relaxing environment to promote the healing of the entire patient – mind, body, and soul.

We are not the standard hospital-like facility offering cookie-cutter solutions for drug and alcohol addictions. Instead, we treat each person on an individualized basis. Taking the extra time to learn about each person’s specific story plays a large role in our success in helping people overcome addiction. A customized fentanyl addiction treatment plan designed specifically for your needs will make it much easier to sustain long-term recovery.

Our licensed and insured medical team is onsite 24/7. Patients always have access to speak with a licensed medical professional on an individual basis. Additionally, we encourage patients to interact with one another through group therapy sessions and other recreational activities. We foster a warm and welcoming environment designed for those wanting help; receiving it in a way that will make a life-long impression. Patients enjoy numerous amenities to help put them at ease and focus completely on themselves during the recovery process.

Reach Out to Harmony Ridge Today

Situated in a beautiful nature setting sprawling with wildlife, patients enjoy our highly structured programs designed to help them overcome obstacles and triggers that have fueled their addiction. Residential and partial hospitalization treatment programs include combinations of group and individual therapy, counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention.

For more information about the services offered by Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal is to alleviate and end the suffering caused by the disease of addiction.