Fentanyl is a very powerful and strong synthetic opioid. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, making even the smallest dose of fentanyl potentially deadly.
Whether it’s the result of taking it recreationally or with a doctor’s prescription, fentanyl can be highly addictive because of its potency.
If you or a loved one is suffering from fentanyl dependency or addiction in Anaheim, CA, or the surrounding Southern California area, fentanyl detox at Restorations Health Care is the first step in the recovery process.
What is Fentanyl Detox?
Fentanyl detox is done to rid the body of all the fentanyl that is in it, along with any other potentially harmful substances as well. For the brain and body to begin the healing and recovery process, all the fentanyl must first leave the system.
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Withdrawal symptoms associated with detoxing from fentanyl can begin as soon as eight hours after the last dose of fentanyl was taken. These symptoms are typically not only unpleasant but can also be dangerous when not properly monitored. That’s why detoxing should always be done under proper medical care and supervision at either a local medical facility, a dedicated detox center, or a treatment center that also offers detox such as Restorations Health Care.
Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are the direct result of the body and brain becoming dependent on or addicted to a substance or activity, in this case, fentanyl, and then no longer getting that substance. The brain goes into a state of shock which produces withdrawal symptoms.
When not properly monitored and treated by licensed medical professionals, the symptoms associated with fentanyl withdrawal can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. The severity of the symptoms can also increase the chances of a relapse if self-detox is attempted.
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Chills
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Increased heart rate (Tachycardia)
- Sweating
- Increased body temperature
- Cramping
- Runny nose
- Goosebumps
- Dilated pupils
If you or a loved one is suffering from fentanyl dependence or addiction in and around Anaheim, Los Angeles, and the greater Southern California area, contact us today to learn about our medical detox services so that they can get started with their fentanyl addiction treatment.
Fentanyl Detox Timeline
The length of time you spend in a detox program can vary based on a variety of factors such as:
- Age
- Overall health
- Gender
- The severity of the substance abuse or addiction
- The length of time you were using fentanyl
- Dosage amount
- Co-occurring disorders
- If you were mixing fentanyl with other substances
Typically, fentanyl detox takes anywhere from five to seven days but in some cases can take weeks.
Below is a basic timeline of what you can expect during the fentanyl detox and withdrawal process.
Day 1 (Admission)
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can begin to occur as soon as eight hours after the last dose was taken. That’s why it’s crucial that once you have decided to stop taking fentanyl, you begin medically supervised detox at a facility in California right away.
Once you get to the facility where you will be detoxing, you will go through the admissions process and a treatment plan will be created for you based on your needs.
During the first day of detox, you can expect mild withdrawal symptoms to begin showing up. Typically you will experience feelings of anxiety and agitation early on as you start to crave the fentanyl but are no longer taking it.
Days 2-4
Over the next 36 to 72 hours, your symptoms will gradually get more severe before the peak. When symptoms peak it means that they are at their most severe and extreme.
It is often during this period when the medical and treatment professionals that are monitoring you will administer either over-the-counter, prescription medications, or both to help alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms and eliminate any cravings you may have.
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Days 5-7 (Discharge)
After your symptoms have peaked they will slowly start to subside over the next few days before going away completely. In some rare cases, psychological and even some physical symptoms can linger for weeks or even months after detox has been completed. When symptoms linger like that, it may be a sign of Post-Acute Withdrawl Syndrome (PAWS).
Once you have successfully completed detox, you will be discharged. If you chose to detox at a hospital or dedicated detox center, you will need to find a treatment center to start your inpatient (residential treatment), outpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization treatment program in the Southern California area.
At Restorations Health Care in Anaheim, we want to make the entire treatment process as easy and as comfortable for you as possible. That’s why we offer detox in addition to a variety of treatment options including inpatient and outpatient rehab.
Contact us today if you or a loved one is looking to stop taking cocaine and needs substance abuse treatment in Orange County or throughout California.
Medications for Fentanyl Detox
There are several different FDA-approved medications that can be administered during the detox process that are designed to not only alleviate some of the symptoms associated with opioid withdrawals but can also help with the overall treatment process for fentanyl addiction.
Medications commonly given to patients during fentanyl detox include:
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Clonidine
- Naltrexone
Medications to help with fentanyl withdrawal and detox are typically administered during the “peak” period of withdrawals to make the detox process more comfortable and to cut down on cravings.
Based on your needs and the recommendation of medical and treatment professionals, you may continue to be administered these medications during the treatment process as well as part of Medication-Assisted Treatment.
Detox from Fentanyl at Our Anaheim Detox
Due to the nature of detoxing and the withdrawal symptoms associated with fentanyl detox, attempting to self-detox or quit “cold turkey” can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It can also greatly increase the chances of a relapse.
At Restorations Healthcare in Anaheim, CA we provide a safe environment for you to undergo detox surrounded by trained medical and treatment professionals, all of whom are there to help make the detox process as comfortable as possible.
Schedule an appointment today.
If you or someone you know is in need of treatment for fentanyl addiction in Anaheim or the greater Southern California area, you can call us at 877-578-0708, fill out a contact form on our website, or speak to one of our live chat representatives.
Sources
Kleber, H. D. (2007, December). Pharmacologic treatments for opioid dependence: Detoxification and maintenance options. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience. Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202507/
Search Samhsa Publications and digital products | Samhsa Publications … Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/SAMHSA_Digital_Download/PEP21-02-01-002.pdf
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Opiate and opioid withdrawal: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, December 28). Fentanyl drugfacts. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanylCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 23). Fentanyl facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html