When someone starts addiction treatment for fentanyl, the first step will likely be detoxing from the substance. You might be wondering about a big question: How long does it take to detox from fentanyl? The answer can differ on how severe the addiction is and how long you’ve been dependent on fentanyl. At Muse Treatment in California, the average amount of time it takes to detox from fentanyl could be up to a week. It all can vary depending on withdrawal symptoms and how well you’re feeling during the medical detox process.
After detox, patients will go through various drug rehab treatment plans, depending on what fits their needs best. Muse Treatment tailors all of our addiction treatment plans to the individual patient. We offer 12-step integration, development of coping skills, relapse prevention, and more. The patient can either enroll in inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment, depending on the severity of their fentanyl addiction or if they are busy due to school or work. Muse Treatment works with each patient to find the best fit for treatment and what they need to achieve lasting recovery.
How Long Does Fentanyl Withdrawal Last?
Fentanyl withdrawal starts when someone stops taking it. As the substance leaves their system, they begin to crave it and could have other symptoms. Most people will have withdrawal symptoms 12 hours after the last time they used the drug. According to the National Library of Medicine, withdrawal management is a standard course of care when someone is enrolled in rehab for fentanyl addiction. Withdrawal happens within hours of the last dose, and symptoms can come up while the patient is undergoing intensive medically assisted detox. Because of the withdrawal symptoms that occur during medical detox, it’s important to be enrolled in rehab for detox so your symptoms are monitored properly by addiction treatment and medical professionals who can help make the process safer and more comfortable.
What Are the Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal?
After you figure out how long does it take to detox from fentanyl, you need to prepare for the withdrawal symptoms that coincide with detoxing from it. These withdrawal symptoms need to be monitored by a medical professional as it can be dangerous to not have someone look after you. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety.
- Runny nose.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dilated pupils.
- High blood pressure.
- Stomach cramps.
When you start to experience these types of symptoms from fentanyl withdrawal, some things can help in addition to getting help at an addiction treatment center. Managing withdrawal symptoms can be easier by drinking more water, eating regular healthy meals, stretching and deep breathing, regular exercise, and doing something that helps you relax. Although these tips help in the short term, they can’t solve the problem entirely — and the best, safest solution is to seek professional help if you haven’t already.
Can Medication Ease the Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal?
Some medications can help alleviate the discomfort of symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal. Sometimes, patients going through withdrawal of fentanyl need to try out a few different medications before finding what works best. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the different medications you might be prescribed to help with fentanyl withdrawal symptoms are:
- Methadone: This is categorized as a long-acting opioid receptor and full agonist, which means it binds at and restabilizes opioid receptors to decrease opioid cravings.
- Buprenorphine: This opioid receptor agonist only partially activates the opioid receptors, which means that it substitutes a more potent full agonist opioid.
- Clonidine: Although this medication has been approved to treat high blood pressure, it also is sometimes prescribed for opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- Lofexidine: This medication is a non-opioid type of medicine that can reduce the withdrawal symptoms of fentanyl and other opioids.
In addition to taking medication for fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, patients should seek out holistic treatments as well to manage their fentanyl addiction recovery. This can be done at a rehab facility like Muse Treatment because we have many different holistic approaches to addiction treatment in addition to medical options. We also offer therapy and other alternative treatments, such as educational groups, art therapy, and emotional regulation education.
Is Detox from Fentanyl Possible?
Yes — detox is possible from fentanyl. Medical detox will likely be the first course of treatment at a rehab facility because it can help patients wean off the drug more safely and comfortably and prepare them for addiction treatment and therapy. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, opioid overdoses are a major cause of death for Americans. While people can sometimes survive a fentanyl overdose, this medical crisis can easily become deadly. Overdose is more likely to happen if someone never seeks treatment or gets help as soon as symptoms start showing up for fentanyl-related addiction.
When you decide to seek help for fentanyl addiction, you should never detox alone. This vital step in starting addiction treatment needs to happen at a rehab facility where medical professionals can supervise you 24/7. The chances of relapsing during detox are much lower when professionals are constantly monitoring symptoms. The medical professionals at Muse Treatment can also help with your discomfort and give you proper medication for any pain or nausea you might experience during withdrawal.
Learn How You Can Properly Detox from Fentanyl at Muse Treatment
Once you realize you need to detox from fentanyl, you might wonder how to get started or how long does it take to detox from fentanyl. The proper amount of time it takes to detox fully from fentanyl depends on each person, but it will be worth it because detox is the first step in the direction of lasting recovery from addiction.
Muse Treatment offers medically assisted treatment for fentanyl detox and rehab, and patients are supervised 24/7 during the detox process. After detox takes place, patients will start either an inpatient or outpatient treatment plan. It’s essential to continue getting treatment after detoxing from fentanyl because medical detox is only the first step. Addiction treatment teaches patients how to avoid triggers and get mentally stronger through therapy, recognizing triggering scenarios and what underlying factors could have made them more prone to having a substance use disorder. Together, we can help people achieve lasting recovery and a life free from fentanyl addiction. To find out how you or a loved one can safely detox from fentanyl, call Muse Treatment at 951-708-7904.
External Sources
- National Library of Medicine — Withdrawal Management
- Mayo Clinic — Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
- American Academy of Family Physicians — Fentanyl Treatment Medications
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — Opioid Overdose