Overcome Fentanyl Withdrawal at a Fentanyl Detox Center in Ohio
Addiction to opioids is on the rise and is more common than many think. Fentanyl is among the opioid drugs that are easy to become addicted to. If you are already addicted to fentanyl, don’t worry, you can get help through detox. However, you are strongly advised against detoxing at home. It would be best if you detoxed under strict medical supervision to help you safely overcome withdrawal symptoms. After successful detox, you must follow up on your aftercare treatment to prevent relapse.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid that has grown in popularity in the United States in recent years. It is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. The two types of fentanyl on the market are illicitly produced fentanyl and pharmaceutical fentanyl. The pharmaceutical fentanyl is normally prescribed by doctors for severe pain, like that experienced in the advanced stage of cancer or after surgery.
Fentanyl overdoses can be traced back to illicitly produced fentanyl, the use of which is unregulated because it is distributed through illegal channels. Most people like it because it has a heroin-like effect. Other illicit manufacturers add it to other drugs to make them cheaper and more potent. For example, some people mix fentanyl with heroin to get a more potent mixture. This is what makes fentanyl more dangerous and addictive.
Though prescription fentanyl isn’t as dangerous as its illicit counterpart, it is also highly addictive. Unfortunately, some patients take fentanyl to feel “high” or hope that using more of it will help alleviate their pain faster. These are the two main reasons why people get addicted to it. Doctors who prescribe this drug know about its addictive qualities, explaining why they want patients to use it in a supervised environment.
If you are using prescription fentanyl at home, try to stick to the dose recommended by your doctor. The use of fentanyl comes with many side effects, even when you use it as prescribed. And once you are addicted to this drug, it becomes very difficult to stop using it. Any attempt to stop or reduce the amount you use may result in serious withdrawal symptoms.
Fentanyl Abuse
Fentanyl abuse normally results when used for non-medicinal purposes, like in the case where some people mix it with other illicit drugs to get the “high.” Unfortunately, most drug addicts and people who buy drugs on the streets use fentanyl without knowing it.
Continuous use of fentanyl, knowingly or unknowingly, leads to drug dependence, otherwise known as addiction. Fentanyl overdose will lower your respiration and heart rate, leading to coma, respiratory arrest, or even death if medical assistance is delayed. Once you reach this stage, your body will not function properly until you consume the drug.
If you experience fentanyl overdose symptoms and you fail to seek medical help, you may suffer from fatal or long-term consequences. This is particularly true if you take fentanyl or fentanyl-laced drugs sold on the street because you will not know the amount of fentanyl you are consuming. If you seek medical help for fentanyl overdose or addiction, your doctor’s first step is detoxification, a process that clears chemicals and other toxins from your body. Fentanyl detox should only occur in a medical facility where doctors can closely monitor you.
How Does Fentanyl Abuse Affect Your Body?
Fentanyl has many serious side effects, especially if used for a long time. Even if you are a one-time user, there is also a possibility of overdosing on the drug. Whatever the case, fentanyl abuse has many psychological and physical symptoms. Remember that even if you use prescription fentanyl, you can still get addicted. That is why you should not take the drug longer than necessary or buy and use it on your own.
The common symptoms and signs of fentanyl addiction and abuse include:
- Constipation
- Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting
- Respiratory arrest
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Having a sense of well-being
- Feeling relaxed
- Feeling euphoric
- Feeling drowsy or sedated
- Feeling lightheaded
The signs of fentanyl overdose are:
- Coma
- Fainting
- Choking sounds
- Seizures
- Respiratory arrest
- Slow rate of respiration
- Slow heart rate
- Blue extremities and lips
- Pale skin
If the above symptoms are not managed in good time, death may result.
Fentanyl Detox
Fentanyl detoxification is a medical treatment that addresses the cravings for a drug if an addict stops using the drug immediately. The physically and psychologically addictive property of fentanyl makes medical detox a necessity for successful withdrawal from drug use. Since fentanyl is extremely potent, sudden withdrawal from its use may result in severe physical and mental effects normally associated with a sudden drop in the levels of endorphins in the body. Medical fentanyl detox helps alleviate the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
The initial stages of fentanyl detox should be conducted in an inpatient setting with a natural setting and comfortable medical facilities equipped with modern equipment. A residential treatment ensures the detox process takes place in the presence and close supervision of qualified medical personnel who can take care of any emergencies. Doctors can also diagnose and treat any other underlying medical conditions you may suffer from. Comfort is very important to ensure you complete your treatment and start working on preventing relapse and overcoming the causes of your addiction.
After detox, your doctor will prescribe some medications to block fentanyl’s effects in your body. These medications are taken at home to prevent relapse by ensuring you don’t feel fentanyl’s effects even if you take it.
Fentanyl detox takes between three and seven days, with peak withdrawal symptoms occurring from day two to day four.
During the First Two to Four Days
In the first two to four days, you may experience diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and stomach cramps during this time. This will be the most difficult phase for you. But being in a modern facility will make you feel a little more comfortable.
Within the First Five to Seven Days
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms normally dissipate within the first five to seven days. After this, you may experience post-acute fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, which may last for months after you stop using the drug. These symptoms may include cravings, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. This is why fentanyl detox and treatment should be followed by behavioral modification therapy and intensive counseling, which should last for no less than three weeks after you complete your medical phase.
How Long Will Your Fentanyl Detox Last?
The number of days mentioned above is not the same for everyone. This is because many factors come into play when determining how long your treatment will take. The main factor determining how long your treatment will last is the method you use to consume fentanyl. If you have been consuming it intravenously, it may take you a shorter time to detox. However, your treatment will take longer if you have been using fentanyl lozenges, patches, or other fentanyl consumption methods.
Even after fentanyl has been eliminated from your body, the withdrawal symptoms may persist for months as your body adjusts to functioning without the drug. Intravenous fentanyl can be dissipated from your body within one day whereas those consumed using other methods may take two or more days to clear from the body. The other factors that will determine how long your treatment will take include:
- Your drug abuse history
- Your general health
- Your genetic makeup
- Other drugs in your body, some of which may interact with fentanyl
- How long have you been using fentanyl
- The amount of fentanyl you have consumed
When you visit a fentanyl addiction treatment facility, your doctor will ask you several questions to help design a customized treatment program.
Who Needs a Fentanyl Detox?
If you experience the fentanyl addiction or overdose symptoms described above, you are the right candidate for fentanyl detox. Again, if you have consumed non-prescribed fentanyl, you may need to undergo fentanyl detox. Even if you consume prescribed fentanyl, you may need detox to help you stop using the drug safely. Other reasons why you may need a fentanyl detox include:
- You have been unsuccessful in your earlier attempts to stop consuming fentanyl.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms whenever you stop taking the drug.
- You prefer taking fentanyl rather than taking part in activities you once enjoyed.
- You can’t function properly before taking fentanyl
- You lie to your doctor or fake symptoms to obtain fentanyl.
- Your thoughts are always focused on how you can obtain and consume fentanyl.
- You take fentanyl in higher doses or more frequently than your doctor prescribed.
- You feel intense cravings for the drug.
Why Choose Medically Assisted Fentanyl Treatment?
Medically assisted fentanyl treatment is good to help stabilize your body so your withdrawal symptoms do not become severe.
The other benefits of medically assisted fentanyl detox and treatment include:
- Using medicines will lessen the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms.
- You will enjoy aftercare support and planning.
- You will have access to counseling and therapy services.
- You will enjoy addiction and peer support education.
- A supervised environment ensures you receive 24-hour support and care from medical experts.
- Ensures you have the most comfortable and safest fentanyl detox experience.
What Next After Fentanyl Detox?
Once you complete your fentanyl detox program, you should begin the psychological, physical, and emotional reconditioning and healing process to put you on the path to permanent recovery. The comfortable environment of an inpatient setting will help you focus more on your recovery and avoid getting into contact with the factors that caused your addiction. Additionally, you will have addiction counselors at your disposal to help with your recovery process.
As an ongoing treatment, you will undergo cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help replace your fentanyl-related negative thoughts with positive ones. You will learn that relying on fentanyl to solve your problems only worsens them. So, instead of thinking that you can escape from your problems or pressing issues by consuming fentanyl and enjoying the euphoric feeling it brings, you will learn that it is possible to face your challenges and problems with a sober mind and to tackle them using your natural coping mechanisms and inner strength.
Getting Help With Your Fentanyl Addiction
When you are still in denial about your addiction, it may be a challenge to get help. The first step in seeking help is acceptance. You must accept your condition and be ready to be helped. Do not attempt fentanyl detox at home. You can put your life at risk.
Instead, seek help from specialists such as White Light Behavioral Health Center in Columbus, OH. We offer excellent and comfortable facilities that will make you feel at home. We have experienced medical experts that will help you manage your withdrawal symptoms safely and comfortably. After the detox, we will teach you practical coping techniques and how to prevent cravings so you can avoid relapse.
