Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox

Runny nose Watery eyes Yawning Sweating Chills Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea Muscle cramps or spasms Insomnia

Dysphoria (a general state of unease/discontent) Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure) Depression Anxiety Cravings Restlessness

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has made recovery from substance addiction more urgent than ever before. Now known as America’s deadliest drug, fentanyl has overtaken heroin and oxycodone as the leading cause of drug overdose deaths. When treating addiction to the drug through a fentanyl detox, the body experiences withdrawal as the brain and body react to the shock of the drug’s removal. Because of fentanyl’s ultra-high potency and short half-life, its withdrawal symptoms can be particularly severe. Fear of withdrawal can be a barrier to recovery for many people, but fentanyl withdrawal does not have to be a difficult and frightening experience. Medically assisted fentanyl detox can help people to stop their drug use safely and comfortably.

Fentanyl withdrawal can be profoundly uncomfortable, especially for people who quit “cold turkey” without medical support. There are no shortcuts or easy fentanyl withdrawal remedies that can prevent symptoms. However, people who participate in supervised medical detox programs have access to 24/7 medical professionals who can address concerns as they arise and, if appropriate, administer pharmacotherapies to mitigate the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Fentanyl withdrawal is best addressed in a professional rehab setting that includes medical detox. At the very least, someone facing fentanyl detox and withdrawal should seek professional assistance to obtain an appropriate tapering regimen.

The fentanyl half-life varies quite a bit, depending on the formulation and the route of administration. There are three types of fentanyl: Pharmaceutical fentanyl, derivatives of pharmaceutical fentanyl and non-pharmaceutical (illicit) fentanyl, which all have different half-lives. Broadly speaking, intravenously administered pharmaceutical fentanyl has an average half-life of 7 hours, but the range spans from 3-12 hours. Transdermal fentanyl patches administer fentanyl through the skin, slowing the metabolic half-life to 20-27 hours. Derivatives and illicit fentanyl have shorter half-lives than pharmaceutical fentanyl.

It is difficult to predict how long fentanyl withdrawal will last in a particular individual, but withdrawal symptoms taper off and end after four to 10 days in most people. The fentanyl withdrawal timeline usually follows a general pattern, but there are specific factors that affect each person’s level of withdrawal. These factors include age, gender, general health, liver and kidney health, genetic and biological make-up, concurrent use of other drugs, co-occurring mental health disorders, use of medically assisted detox, and previous attempts at detox.

Fentanyl dependence is a consequence of the brain becoming adapted to its presence. When someone who has become dependent on fentanyl quits abruptly, their brain will attempt to rapidly restore normal functionality. Unfortunately, this is not always a smooth process and, as brain chemistry rapidly changes, the result can include dangerous physical and psychological symptoms like seizures and hallucinations. For these reasons, quitting abruptly is never recommended for people who have developed a fentanyl dependence. It is strongly suggested that someone with a fentanyl use disorder consult with their doctor or an addiction specialist before they attempt to quit. People who choose to detox without medical supervision should prepare ahead of time. Enlist a trusted friend or family member who can be a cheerleader, errand runner, and motivational speaker. Discuss with them why recovery is important and what the short and long-term goals are. It can be very helpful if someone struggling to resist relapse is reminded of why they are pursuing sobriety. In addition, make sure the refrigerator is full of healthy food and water. Many people find that a quality multivitamin may help their symptoms.

Quitting cold turkey is rarely the most effective approach to overcoming substance use disorders and fentanyl is no exception. In milder cases of fentanyl dependence, a tapering protocol is a highly effective strategy for managing withdrawal symptoms, but in severe cases of dependence, opioid replacement therapy in the form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be more appropriate. MAT is a strategy that replaces fentanyl with other opioids that have longer half-lives and that do not deliver the euphoria that is associated with fentanyl abuse. The goal of MAT is to provide the brain with a substance that can mimic the chemical effects of fentanyl in the brain without delivering the sense of euphoria that perpetuates addiction. In other words, MAT tricks the brain into believing that it is receiving the drug it has become accustomed to without continuing to reinforce the pleasure that is associated with fentanyl use. There are several drugs that are valuable MAT options for people recovering from a fentanyl use disorder, including methadone, buprenorphine, Suboxone and naltrexone.

When making the decision to attempt fentanyl detox at home, individuals should do so in conjunction with their physician or an addiction professional. They should also be honest about the extent of their drug use. It is also important to involve loved ones in the process and heed the advice that is given by medical professionals. Addiction to fentanyl is a consuming and deadly substance use disorder. People who wish to end their drug use should take the endeavor very seriously to give themselves the best chance of success. Detoxing off fentanyl at home may not provide the best recipe for success, as the cravings to relapse and relieve the withdrawal may be overwhelming. As a minimum, people who plan to detox at home should have certain supporting factors in place: – A short period of drug use at lower doses
– A stable and supportive home environment
– A safe, drug-free home that is removed from negative influences such as dealers or people who use drugs
– They should not live alone, and the people at home should be aware of the detox situation
– They should be highly motivated to recover Detox does not in any way constitute treatment for fentanyl addiction. People should make arrangements in advance for some kind of treatment to address the reasons behind the substance use. Treatment also helps people heal from the mental and physical damage caused by drug use. This is the purpose of addiction treatment programs.

Stopping fentanyl “cold-turkey” results in a rapid onset of withdrawal symptoms, usually severe. The risk of relapse during such a stark withdrawal is high, as the craving to use fentanyl in order to stop the symptoms can be overwhelming. Going through fentanyl withdrawal cold turkey is not recommended, as it is the most difficult way to stop fentanyl use and is a major driver of relapse. Rather, medically supervised detox using medications, counseling support, and symptom management make the experience much easier, safer, and more likely to result in a successful recovery.

People often overestimate their ability to self-taper off their opioids and stop the drug use on their own. People who wish to avoid withdrawal symptoms by doing an opioid taper should discuss opioid replacement therapy with an addiction professional as part of an overall plan for treatment and recovery. People who use the fentanyl patch also need to taper off the drug, even if they are using it for legitimate purposes by prescription. Although the effects will be delayed, they can suffer significant withdrawal effects if they suddenly stop using their patch. They should discuss how to taper off the fentanyl patch with their prescriber.

Medically assisted detox offers much more than the option of using opioid replacement therapy to prevent or reduce withdrawal. It also provides: – A safe place to detox, away from distractions, temptations and triggers
– Immediate help if any complications arise
– Proper non-opioid management of side effects, such as insomnia, high blood pressure or diarrhea
– The ability to connect with other motivated people who are detoxing
– The ability to connect with counselors and begin working out an individualized plan of success for treatment and long-term recovery
– Access to proper, medically accurate information and facts
– The ability to demonstrate to loved ones that the individual is serious about recovery