19 Oct How To Detox From Fentanyl

How to treat fentanyl dependency

There are many detox treatment options available for mitigating the side effects of fentanyl withdrawal and promoting lasting recovery.

All types of programs may include counseling, therapy, and coaching in addition to detox itself.

• Inpatient treatment: Your entire detox and recovery program takes place at a live-in facility. These programs typically last for several weeks to several months depending on patient needs and the severity of the addiction.
• Outpatient treatment: Appointments take place at a clinic or center in the city you live in. Sessions may be half-day to full-day, and you go home at the end of every session.
• In-home treatment: Your detox and addiction recovery takes place entirely in your home. You do not need to travel anywhere for your appointments or book a long stay in an out-of-town treatment center.

Going “cold turkey”, or the immediate cessation of fentanyl, can be lethal, which is why medically managed detox is essential for a safe recovery.

Protracted vomiting can cause aspirations (fluid in the lungs) and pneumonia. Depletion of fluids can also result in electrolyte imbalance which can cause cardiac irregularity— stroke or heart attack. Fentanyl withdrawal is also marked by respiratory depression (hypoventilation), a potentially life-threatening condition that decreases a person’s ability to breathe.

What to expect from fentanyl detox

Detox is the first and most important step of any addiction recovery, but what can you expect from the process?

1. You stop taking fentanyl, and withdrawal symptoms begin within 12 to 30 hours of the final dose.
2. Your care team monitors your progress and performs periodic testing to evaluate how your body is responding to detox.
3. Certain medications may be prescribed to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve your comfort.
4. Once you have successfully completed detox, you are ready for therapy, coaching, and other aftercare services to help reinforce a drug-free lifestyle.

What’s the timeline of fentanyl detox?

Fentanyl is distributed in various forms, from injectables to extended-release patches. The onset of withdrawal will depend on the medium by which the narcotic is consumed. However, opioid withdrawal syndrome in general will usually begin within 12 to 30 hours from the last dose. The effects generally subside after 5 days.

Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that shares many withdrawal symptoms with other types of opioids.

Opioid withdrawal in general is marked by a variety of symptoms, including:

• Dysphoria
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Sweating
• Bowel irregularity
• Restless leg syndrome

Can you detox at home?

There are several potential life-threatening side-effects associated with opioid withdrawal and detoxification: respiratory failure, heart attack, and others. For this reason, detox at home is only advisable under strict medical supervision.

Yet, there is an obvious upside to a fentanyl detox from home: the recovery process can begin within the comfort of one’s home and with as little interruption to one’s life as possible. That’s where Elite Home Detox can help.