While fentanyl detox is not usually life-threatening, it can be extremely difficult to manage without medical support. The symptoms of withdrawal, without the presence of detox-aid medications, can be severely uncomfortable and may lead many to use fentanyl again to escape them. If you have taken fentanyl for more than two weeks, you should work with your doctor on a plan to stop taking it. 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. Quitting cold turkey is not recommended, as it is the most difficult way to stop fentanyl use.
A doctor can help you manage withdrawal symptoms without resorting to illegal opioids. At The Recovery Village, our team of doctors and addiction professionals aim to help individuals feel as comfortable as possible during substance withdrawal. If you james anderson author wish to discuss fentanyl addiction in yourself or a loved one, contact us for a confidential discussion with one of our representatives.
- Because addiction can occur rapidly with fentanyl abuse, withdrawal can be challenging.
- Follow all instructions about how to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
- Your healthcare professional may recommend continued counseling after you’ve completed your opioid taper.
- Undergoing detox at an accredited facility is the safest and most effective way to rid the body of drugs like fentanyl and transition into treatment and recovery.
- The drug they thought was heroin was simply fentanyl and cutting agents.
- Because the effects of fentanyl are so powerful, you only need small doses to alleviate pain.
Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction
Many people who use substances want to escape their addiction, but fear of withdrawal keeps them from trying. However, millions of people have found long-term recovery, and that period of detox and spouses of alcoholics support groups was a small but necessary price to pay for huge rewards. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
What Are the Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal?
Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn’t be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been mixed with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips. Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider. Take our free, 5-minute substance misuse self-assessment below substance use group ideas if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance misuse.
Risk Factors and Causes of Fentanyl Withdrawal
When the drug is no longer regularly used, the person experiences withdrawal symptoms as their body copes with the absence of the substance. Doctors prescribe fentanyl to sedate patients briefly during painful procedures, such as fixing a dislocated shoulder or straightening a broken bone, or for end-of-life pain management for terminal patients. Fentanyl is extremely potent, so doctors can prescribe a tiny dose. It has a very quick onset of action and is quickly eliminated from the body.
It’s generally not recommended for long-term use, though, because it is habit-forming and very difficult to stop using. There are some over-the-counter medications that can help with some of the withdrawal symptoms, such as antidiarrheals and antinauseants to help with stomach symptoms and acetaminophen for muscle aches. People considering detoxing from fentanyl at home should do so under the care of their doctor. They should also be honest with their doctor about their drug use so they can receive the appropriate advice and care.
You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop or lessen the use of opioid medicine. Symptoms may vary depending on several issues, such as the speed of the opioid taper and how long you’ve used opioid medicines. Tapering over time can help lessen withdrawal symptoms or keep you from having them. With significant levels of physiological dependence, a person may continue to compulsively drink or use drugs to avoid unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Other medications may also be used during fentanyl detox in order to help with specific symptoms.
If left untreated, these symptoms can rapidly dehydrate the body and cause dangerously high levels of sodium to accumulate in the blood (hypernatremia). Of the two FDA-approved opioids for the treatment of fentanyl withdrawal, buprenorphine generally has a more favorable side-effect profile than methadone. 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. Because of them, proper rehab treatment is necessary to help people return to good mental and physical health and maintain lasting recovery from substance use. Within about three to five days, most of the symptoms come to an end.
These include sedatives, such as benzodiazepines, and the medication clonidine, which helps reduce some withdrawal symptoms. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation.