Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is 100 times more potent than morphine. While fentanyl is used medicinally to treat severe pain after surgeries or among individuals with chronic conditions, it is highly addictive and habit-forming. Even further, the fentanyl that is found on the street is not the same as medicinal fentanyl, as it is not created in a lab nor is it regulated.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with 70,601 overdose deaths reported in 2021.”[1]
If you or a loved one regularly abuse fentanyl, it’s time to seek help. If you suddenly stop consuming the substance, you will experience withdrawal symptoms that are extremely difficult to cope with. By attending a fentanyl detox center in California, you can receive the medical assistance you need to be successful.
The Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal
Like other opioid substances, fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain that are responsible for pain relief and pleasure. As a result, people who abuse the substance will experience a rush of euphoria and reduced pain symptoms. Over time, their brain will associate fentanyl with reward and happiness, beginning the cycle of habitual use and addiction.
Once you are addicted to fentanyl, your body relies on it to function correctly. Stopping the u se of fentanyl will cause an array of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. While opioid withdrawal is usually not life-threatening, symptoms can become severe without proper medical assistance.
Symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include:[2]
- Irritability and anxiety
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle pain and aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Tremors or shaking
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
Fentanyl withdrawal can begin to affect you as early as 3 to 4 hours after you consume your last dose. Typically, symptoms last for about 1 to 2 weeks.
What to Expect at a Fentanyl Detox Center in California
The goal of fentanyl detox programs in California is to provide you with the support and medical treatment you require to overcome withdrawal safely and comfortably. This is achieved through the monitoring of your vital signs, psychological support, and medications to lessen the severity of your symptoms and cravings.
Intake Assessment
When you arrive at a fentanyl detox facility you will begin the intake process, which includes an initial assessment. The medical team will ask you a series of questions to gather information about your substance abuse, psychiatric, medical, and family history. This allows the staff members to create an individualized treatment plan that will address your specific needs.
Additionally, you will sign consent and treatment disclosure forms that allow the rehab program to provide you with the help you need. You will also sign a medical release form and indicate whether a family member is allowed to receive detailed information about your treatment.
Medical Stabilization
Once forms are signed and your treatment plan has been created, you will begin medical stabilization. Medical stabilization involves using medical treatments and FDA-approved medications to lessen your symptoms of withdrawal and prevent you from experiencing cravings.
Your vital signs will be monitored regularly and on a 24/7 basis, allowing the nurses and doctors to act fast if you require extra assistance during withdrawal.
The medications used to control your withdrawal symptoms include:[2]
- Clonidine – this is a medication originally intended for high blood pressure that can reduce the physical and psychological symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
- Suboxone – Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone and works by partially activating your opioid receptors to trick the brain into thinking you are receiving the substances it’s craving.
- Subutex – Subutex only contains buprenorphine, the active ingredient that limits withdrawal symptoms and cravings in suboxone.
- Methadone – Methadone fully activates your opioid receptors and works to control your withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Treatment Planning
Once you overcome fentanyl withdrawal, you will begin working with the medical staff to create a plan for further treatment. Detox is only the first step in recovering from addiction, making it vital that you attend other treatment programs to address the psychological and behavioral aspects of your substance use disorder.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Inpatient rehab
- Outpatient treatment
- Sober living programs
- Aftercare services like continued therapy or access to alumni support groups
Find Help for Fentanyl Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one struggle with fentanyl addiction, it’s time to seek help. Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous substance that can cause life-threatening overdoses even in tiny amounts. When you are addicted to the drug, suddenly stopping the use of it can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
At Arise Treatment Center, we can provide you with a full continuum of care that includes medical detox and traditional addiction recovery services like evidence-based behavioral therapy and relapse prevention planning.
To learn more about our fentanyl addiction treatment program in California, contact Arise Treatment Center today.
References:
- The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): Drug Overdose Death Rates, Retrieved July 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
- Medline Plus: Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal, Retrieved July 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm