Fentanyl Detox Timeline, and Withdrawal Symptoms

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that surpasses heroin’s strength by up to 50 times and is 100 times more potent than morphine. Its illicit usage is strongly linked to a considerable number of opioid-related overdose fatalities. In illegal contexts, fentanyl is often blended with heroin or cocaine to intensify the euphoric effects, sometimes unbeknownst to the user.

In clinical settings, physicians turn to fentanyl when other pain-relief methods have proven ineffective, particularly after surgeries or during cancer treatment. Fentanyl is available in various forms and brand names:

• Duragesic: An FDA-approved patch designed to alleviate moderate to severe ongoing pain, with effects lasting up to three days.
• Abstral: A quick-dissolve tablet used to manage breakthrough pain or severe pain episodes, especially in patients undergoing continuous pain medication.
• Actiq: A tablet placed under the tongue to relieve intense and persistent severe pain.
• Sublimaze: Often administered with anesthetics, this fentanyl type is injected before and after surgeries to control pain.
• Lazanda: A nasal spray employed to alleviate pain in cancer patients.

The surge in recent overdoses is primarily linked to the illicit usage of fentanyl. On the black market, illegal forms of fentanyl are sold as a powder, contained in eye droppers or nasal sprays, applied to blotter paper, or crafted into pills resembling other prescription opioids.

Some drug traffickers blend fentanyl with common drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine due to its high potency and cost-effectiveness. This practice poses severe risks, particularly to individuals unaccustomed to the potent strength of this opioid. Unaware consumption of fentanyl significantly heightens the likelihood of an overdose.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Fentanyl is a highly potent and addictive substance that can lead to dependence even when taken as prescribed. The cessation of fentanyl use often triggers a range of withdrawal symptoms. While dependence doesn’t always equate to addiction, it can pave the way for addictive behaviors in some instances.

Fentanyl addiction can profoundly disrupt a person’s life, reshaping their behavior, social circles, and overall mindset. Effective professional treatment is imperative for substance abuse disorders like fentanyl addiction.

Over time, withdrawal symptoms associated with fentanyl use can intensify if left unaddressed. Some common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Sleep disturbances.
• Intense cravings for the drug.
• Aches in bones and muscles.
• Nausea and diarrhea.
• Chills and goosebumps.
• Involuntary leg movements.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline

The severity, length, and start date of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms depend on many things, such as how long you used it, how much you took, and how often you used it.

For short-acting opioids like immediate-release fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine, withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 8 to 24 hours after the last dose. These symptoms peak in intensity between 36 to 72 hours after the last usage. The acute withdrawal phase typically spans 7 to 10 days but can persist for several weeks.

Certain medications, such as methadone and buprenorphine, might help mitigate acute opioid withdrawal symptoms. If you or a loved one is contemplating seeking assistance for an opioid use disorder (OUD), discussing available options with a healthcare provider is advisable.

How Long Does it Take to Detox From Fentanyl?

The duration of fentanyl detoxification can vary from person to person, influenced by multiple factors such as dosage, frequency, and duration of use. The severity of symptoms during this process is highly individualized.

To manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings effectively, healthcare professionals may prescribe specific medications:

• Methadone: This opioid agonist targets brain receptors, similar to fentanyl, but doesn’t produce the euphoric effects. When used as directed, methadone can reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
• Buprenorphine: Acting as a partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine attaches to the same brain receptors as fentanyl but with less activation. It helps in mitigating withdrawal symptoms and curbing cravings.
• Lofexidine Hydrochloride: Approved by the FDA in 2018, this non-opioid medication can reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in the discontinuation of fentanyl.

Learn More:

• Signs of Fentanyl Addiction, Withdrawal & Overdose Treatment
• How Strong is Fentanyl? Fentanyl vs Other Opioids
• Can You Smoke Fentanyl? The Dangers of Smoking and Snorting Fentanyl
• What Does Fentanyl Look Like?
• What Is Fentanyl?
• How Long Does Fentanyl Stay In Your System
• Fentanyl Withdrawal
• Vicodin vs Norco, What’s The Difference & How Do They Compare?
• How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay in Urine?
• What is Norco? Norco Drug For Severe Pain Information
• The Dangers of Hydrocodone Addiction, Symptoms & Treatment
• Hydrocodone Side Effects, Uses, Addiction and More
• Is Oxycodone Addictive
• What Is Oxycodone?
• Oxycodone Side Effects
• Opiate Withdrawal
• Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
• Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
• Tramadol vs Oxycodone: Which is Better? Side Effect Comparison
• Oxycodone Dosage Guide, Precautions, and Max Dose
• Oxycodone Vs Oxycontin. Differences & Similarities, Abuse & Treatment Options

Risk Factors and Causes of Fentanyl Withdrawal

Fentanyl, like many opioids, exerts reinforcing effects that elevate the likelihood of misuse, whether in the form of prescription medications or illicit drugs. Its mechanism involves binding to the body’s opioid receptors, predominantly in brain areas governing emotions and pain perception.

Extended usage of fentanyl prompts the brain to adapt to the drug, leading to tolerance (the need for larger doses to achieve the same effects) and dependence. Over time, escalating tolerance drives individuals to seek higher fentanyl doses, potentially leading to physical dependence.

Dependence denotes a physiological adjustment wherein the body becomes acclimated to the drug, triggering withdrawal symptoms when reducing use or discontinuing it. In cases of pronounced physiological dependence, individuals might persist in compulsive drug use to evade distressing withdrawal symptoms.

Numerous factors contribute to fentanyl withdrawal, influencing the recurrence and severity of symptoms. These factors are:

• Frequency, dosage, and duration of fentanyl use.
• Method of administration.
• Polysubstance use involving fentanyl in conjunction with other substances.
• Presence of underlying medical and mental health conditions.

Signs of Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl, an exceptionally potent synthetic opioid, surpasses morphine’s strength by about 100 times. While utilized in medical settings for severe pain relief and anesthesia, its misuse and addiction potential are alarmingly high, mainly when consumed in doses manufactured illicitly.

Consequently, fentanyl abuse presents a severe public health crisis, posing grave risks to those who use it. This drug can be ingested, snorted, injected, or smoked and is frequently combined with substances like heroin and cocaine, amplifying its dangers. Misuse of fentanyl significantly heightens the risk of overdose and death.

Recognizing the signs of fentanyl addiction is crucial in identifying individuals grappling with this condition. Common indicators of fentanyl addiction include:

• Significant disruptions in sleeping patterns or sleep disturbances.
• Unexpected or rapid weight loss.
• Decreased ability to concentrate or maintain focus.
• Slowed reflexes.
• Fluctuating moods, including depression or agitation.
• Intense cravings for fentanyl or other opioids.
• Strained personal relationships and social disengagement.
• Continued usage despite detrimental effects on physical health and mental stability.

How Fentanyl Abuse Begins

Understanding the typical paths to fentanyl addiction is crucial for recognizing warning signs in yourself or a loved one, mainly if the opioid is prescribed. Often, the stories of painkiller addiction originate from legitimate prescriptions. Even when taken as directed, prolonged exposure to fentanyl alters brain function, leading to dependence on the drug for normal functioning.

Fentanyl changes the brain’s natural production of euphoria-inducing chemicals like dopamine. Acting as a substitute for dopamine, fentanyl causes the brain to reduce its output since the drug takes over. When fentanyl use stops, the central nervous system struggles to generate dopamine, making it challenging to experience pleasure until the body thoroughly detoxifies from the drug.

Breaking the brain’s reliance on substances like drugs or alcohol involves a period of withdrawal symptoms during the healing process. Withdrawal symptoms encompass both physical and psychological effects, making it challenging to manage alone. In severe abuse cases, attempting detox without medical assistance can even be life-threatening due to intensified withdrawal symptoms. Seeking medical detox from a reputable treatment center is strongly recommended.

What to do if Someone Overdoses on Fentanyl

• Immediately contact medical emergency services (call 911).
• Refrain from attempting CPR or giving medications unless adequately trained.
• If the individual is breathing, place them on their side to prevent choking in case of vomiting.
• Trained responders can position the person in the standard recovery stance, ensuring open airways.
• Avoid giving any fluids; stay with the person and monitor their breathing until help arrives.
• Naloxone (brand name: Narcan), if available and administered by trained individuals, can potentially save a person’s life. Naloxone functions as an opioid antagonist, binding to brain opioid receptors, displacing any opioids present, and triggering an immediate withdrawal response. Swift administration of naloxone can avert a potentially fatal situation.