Quitting opioids like fentanyl can be extremely difficult. This is due to the intense withdrawal symptoms that often accompany the detoxification process, or detox for short. For many people, the discomfort of fentanyl withdrawal—with its anxiety and muscle pain, its nausea and insomnia—can lead one to relapse, or start using fentanyl again.
Offering a comprehensive fentanyl addiction treatment program that is tailored to each client’s unique needs, Empowered Recovery ensures that those seeking recovery have access to the support necessary to safely withdraw and recover from fentanyl addiction. Our approach provides people with the tools and guidance they need to build toward a future free from fentanyl dependence.
What is Fentanyl Withdrawal?
Fentanyl withdrawal, or opioid withdrawal syndrome, is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs once one has stopped using opioids after developing a dependence. When opioids are misused, they can produce a sense of euphoria and chronic use can lead to the development of dependence or addiction1. When opioid withdrawal symptoms are present, medical and pharmacological management of these symptoms often becomes necessary.
While there is no specific diagnostic test for opioid withdrawal, many medical professionals use the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) to determine the severity of opioid withdrawal ranging from mild to severe1. This scale can help assist in treatment and management of opioid withdrawal symptoms and help patients avoid relapse.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Because fentanyl and other opioids are highly addictive, the symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable. As a result, people struggling with fentanyl addiction often experience great difficulty staying sober.
Commons symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include1,2,3
- Intense cravings for fentanyl
- Runny nose
- Restlessness
- Sweating and hypertension
- Weakness
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps, stomach cramps, and bone pain
- Insomnia
- Dilated pupils
Because opioid withdrawal symptoms can be intense, and sometimes dangerous, it is highly recommended that those trying to quit fentanyl get professional help and enroll in a medically supervised detox program.
How Long Does Fentanyl Withdrawal Last?
An exact fentanyl withdrawal timeline depends on a variety of factors. The user’s history with the drug, the frequency with which the drug was taken, the amount of the drug consumed, and more all factor into how long their fentanyl withdrawal symptoms will last6.
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can appear as early as 8 to 16 hours after the last dose5. Symptoms tend to increase in intensity until “peaking” at some point between 36 to 72 hours5. During this time, one should watch out for the dehydration and electrolyte imbalance that follows common withdrawal symptoms of excessive sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting. Following this peaking, fentanyl withdrawal symptoms begin to taper off over the course of the following week, typically 5-8 days5.
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, also known as protracted withdrawal, is the presence of substance-specific withdrawal symptoms but they persist beyond the expected acute withdrawal timeframe. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome can sometimes occur weeks, or even months after the initial withdrawal phase is complete and often includes more psychological withdrawal symptoms3.
While the research on PAWS is limited, some of its more common symptoms include3:
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Short-term memory loss
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased attention span
- Dysphoria, or sadness
- Anhedonia, or the loss of ability to feel pleasure
Because PAWS symptoms can manifest long after initial withdrawal and detox, it’s important for patients to enroll in an ongoing treatment program to ensure they get the continued support and care they need to stay sober. Addiction treatment programs like partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and even standard outpatient programs are great options for those who need longer support but cannot stay in an inpatient program long-term.
Is Fentanyl Withdrawal Dangerous?
In some cases, fentanyl withdrawal can be dangerous, even fatal. The biggest risk associated with fentanyl withdrawal lies in its severity of symptoms, which can be overwhelming. Patients that are experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive sweating are at risk of dehydration which can be fatal6. Due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms, people are often tempted to return to using fentanyl to make their discomfort go away.
Relapse during or after withdrawal is particularly dangerous. The body’s reduced tolerance to fentanyl means that a dose that was once tolerated could now be fatal4. This is why entering a comprehensive addiction treatment program following detox is recommended over attempting to detox on one’s own. An effective fentanyl addiction treatment program can help people work through their withdrawal symptoms, address possible underlying mental health concerns, and learn coping skills to help them avoid relapse.
Fentanyl Detox & Treatment Medications
Detoxification is the process of ridding substances from the body while managing any possible withdrawal symptoms. The time it takes to detox from substances varies but most medically supervised detox programs last three to seven days, representing the first step in a lifelong journey toward sobriety and wellness.
Given the dangers associated with fentanyl withdrawal, it is crucial that people seek professional help. An effective fentanyl detox program offers medical support and supervision to manage the often-intense withdrawal symptoms of detox and avoid relapse.
Many detox programs provide fentanyl withdrawal medications approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to manage some of the more intense opioid withdrawal symptoms. These medications include4,7:
- Buprenorphine treats withdrawal from opiates like fentanyl, shortening the length of detox. It may also be used for long-term maintenance. Buprenorphine is often combined with naloxone to prevent misuse.
- Methadone manages opioid withdrawal symptoms. It is also used as a long-term maintenance medicine for opioid dependence. After a period of maintenance, the dose may be decreased slowly to help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
- Naltrexone can help prevent relapse. It is available in pill form or as an injection. If taken while opioids are still in the user’s system, it can bring about sudden, severe withdrawal.
- Clonidine is used under medical supervision to reduce anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose, and cramping due to drug withdrawal. It does not help reduce drug cravings.
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
At our recovery center in Atlanta, we understand that overcoming fentanyl addiction is about more than just breaking habits. It’s about embracing a new way of living. Our opioid rehab program in Atlanta is designed to help you find your way to a brighter, healthier future.
We offer a variety of rehab programs tailored to fit your needs, including outpatient (OP) rehab, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs. We also offer one full year of free recovery coaching to keep you feeling supported after you finish the program and return to day-to-day living. And if you’re wondering about insurance or how to pay for rehab, our rehab admissions team is available to answer any questions you have. We can verify your benefits and assist you with out-of-network coverage plans.
If you’re ready to learn more about our comprehensive fentanyl addiction treatment program, reach out today. Let’s take that first step together toward a happier and more productive you.
References
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Clinical guidelines for the use of buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid addiction (SMA10-4554). SAMHSA. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma10-4554.pdf
- WebMD. (n.d.). What to know about fentanyl withdrawal. WebMD. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-to-know-fentanyl-withdrawal
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Opioid use disorder: Epidemiology and treatment. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526012/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Substance use disorders in adolescents: Screening and intervention (SMA15-4131). SAMHSA. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma15-4131.pdf
- MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Opioid withdrawal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm
- Fehling, D. J., & Murray, R. A. (n.d.). Diagnosis and treatment of opioid use disorder in the United States. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/
- López-García, P., García-Casas, J., & Martínez-Martínez, F. (n.d.). Clinical pharmacology of opioid addiction: An overview. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpt.13114
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