Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms and Detox Timeline

There is little doubt that the U.S. (and the rest of the world) continues to struggle with an opioid epidemic. Millions of people still struggle with opioid use disorder (OUD), including fentanyl addiction, every day. Also, many of these people are not getting the help that they need because they fear the discomfort of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. However, there is hope and there is help. 

As Saint Francis of Assisi famously said, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Using this approach, we can work together to combat the opioid epidemic and build lasting recovery for those who are struggling. 

What do fentanyl withdrawal symptoms look like? The reality is that they may look slightly different depending on your situation. However, there are some universal symptoms.

The following are just a few of the symptoms that you may experience during fentanyl withdrawal:

The timeline for detox from fentanyl is usually about three days. However, that is just to get the substance out of your system. The emotional and physical side effects can last much longer. This is true with most forms of addiction.

Addiction affects millions of people every day. This includes people both in the U.S. and around the globe. 

It is estimated that in any given year, over 300 million people struggle with addiction worldwide. Many people also struggle with the concept of addiction. Without proper knowledge, many people think of addiction as some type of moral failing, intentional action, or “choice.” This is simply untrue. Addiction is a disease.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.” Yes, addiction is a disease. Most medical and addiction recovery professionals agree that addiction has more in common with other chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease than it does with a “choice.” This is also true of opioid use disorder (OUD).

So what exactly is OUD? It is an extremely dangerous type of addiction that can easily lead to overdose and death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), a substance use disorder, sometimes referred to as ‘opioid abuse or dependence’ or ‘opioid addiction’ is a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress. OUD is a treatable, chronic disease that can affect anyone – regardless of race, sex, income level, or social class. A diagnosis of OUD is based on specific criteria such as unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use or use failing to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home, among other criteria.” One of the most common (and dangerous) forms of opioids being used today is fentanyl.

Fentanyl is extremely addictive. It is also extremely dangerous.

If you use recreational drugs, there is a good chance that fentanyl may be mixed in. This is because more and more recreational drug manufacturers are adding fentanyl to their products as a cheaper way to cause similar effects. However, fentanyl is often much more addictive and dangerous than the drug with which it is being mixed.

Fentanyl is also one of the leading causes of drug overdose today. According to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), “Fentanyl continues to be the primary cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Even a very small amount of fentanyl (2 milligrams—the size of a few grains of sand) can cause a lethal overdose.” 

Now, the signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction are always going to vary based on your specific situation. However, you can look out for many universal signs and symptoms of the disease of addiction. 

The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

Now, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.

It is important to understand that detoxing on your own can be dangerous. It is also often much less effective than seeking help from professionals.

A safe and secure detox can ensure that the beginning of your recovery journey starts off safely. It will also make sure that the process is as physically and emotionally painless as possible. Professionals can ensure that your nutrition and hydration levels are stable. They can also connect you with the next steps of recovery. 

The next steps of recovery may include residential addiction care or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Both can be effective depending on your situation.

A residential recovery program is for those who need more “round-the-clock” care. This is also often the best choice for those individuals who experience chronic relapse. 

An IOP may be the more appropriate choice for those individuals who are able to keep one foot in their everyday lives as they engage in the treatment process. Regardless of which path you choose, the key is to make sure that the right modalities are available to assist in your journey.

There are many effective treatments for recovery from fentanyl addiction. A key is utilizing a multi-angled approach with multiple means, methods, and modalities.

Now, it is often suggested that the first methodology employed in recovery be an evidence-based one. This is because it builds a strong and secure foundation on which to add other treatments. This initial methodology is often a form of psychotherapy. From there, experiential and holistic healing methods can be added.

Many types of psychotherapy that can be effective at helping you with your recovery from fentanyl addiction. These psychotherapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. 

CBT can be particularly effective at treating OUD because the individuals engaged with it become more “active participants” in their own recovery. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. In order to achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns…. Although these strategies greatly emphasize cognitive factors, physiological, emotional, and behavioral components are also recognized for the role that they play in the maintenance of the disorder.” 

Experiential therapy is much like its namesake suggests. It is more about experiences than one-on-one conversation (though that is also a key component).

Experiential therapy often exists in two realms. One is nature-based, such as nature immersion therapy (more on that later), and the other is creative-based, such as art therapy. Art therapy is probably the most well-known form of experiential therapy.

Art therapy is for anyone who wants to express themselves, and you don’t have to be an artist to partake. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses [including addiction] and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviours, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. [It] can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.” Nature-based therapies can also help you express yourself in recovery.

Nature immersion therapy is a great way to reconnect with yourself while connecting with the world around you. It also offers a myriad of other benefits. 

According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Besides improvements to physical and psychological well-being, exposure to natural environments has been shown to bring about positive impacts on cognitive functioning…. While cognitive restoration and physiological well-being are the prominent and renowned benefits of nature exposure, there is one important construct that is often overlooked in environmental psychology research studies – that is, the human-nature relationship, also known as connectedness to nature (CN).” This “CN” is also a critical component of surf therapy.

Surf therapy has been shown to offer a myriad of benefits for individuals struggling with fentanyl and other addictions. It also offers many other physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Carefully planned water activities tailored to the needs of the individual can contribute to correct psychosocial and cognitive development. The International Surf Therapy Organization summarizes the benefits of adequately indicated surf therapy as follows: improved physical health and mobility; improved mental health, including reduction of specific symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress and depression; improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, encouragement of independence, resilience, and protective coping strategies) and improved social skills.” Horticulture therapy is also a great way to express yourself outdoors.

Horticulture Therapy is an ideal way to find peace and serenity while recovering from fentanyl addiction. It is also a great way to adopt a new hobby and skills in recovery.

According to the peer-reviewed journal, Frontiers in Psychology, “Horticultural therapy has been increasingly embraced as a non-pharmacological stress reduction treatment due to its flexibility and being free of side effects. Horticultural therapy encourages people to spend time in nature, which has been shown to have stress-relieving and attention-restoring effects, based on the Stress Recovery Theory (SRT) and the Attention Restoration Theory (ART). In recent decades, researchers and health practitioners have placed greater focus on the possible stress-reduction benefits of horticultural therapy and activities.” Similar benefits can also be garnered via holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation.

Many effective holistic healing methods can help one recover from the symptoms and side effects of OUD. This includes holistic healing methods like acupuncture, massage therapy, and yoga therapy. 

These holistic modalities can also be highly effective when used together. Many holistic modalities can offer a myriad of benefits. These benefits can be physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual. 

The following are just a few of those benefits:

As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. It is also important to know which treatments aren’t working so they can be eliminated from a recovery plan. After all, a recovery plan must be specific to your needs. You are uniquely qualified to know what is (and what isn’t) working for you.

Mindfulness meditation is one of the most popular forms of holistic healing methods. This is because it requires very little effort (after you have learned the process).

As with other therapies like yoga therapy and breathing exercises, meditation is a process that can be practiced virtually anywhere. This makes it a vital and effective tool in maintaining long-term sobriety. It is a practice that will always remain available, no matter where you are in the world.

Like the other modalities discussed, mindfulness meditation also offers countless benefits. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency. Physiological benefits include reduced blood pressure, heart rate, lactate, cortisol, and epinephrine; decreased metabolism, breathing pattern, oxygen utilization, and carbon dioxide elimination; and increased melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), skin resistance, and relative blood flow to the brain.” Now, connecting with a spiritual teacher may help to increase these benefits.”

Here at Hawaii Island Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term fixes. That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. 

This includes our detox plans for those struggling with fentanyl misuse and addiction. The key is getting you he exact help you need for exactly what you are struggling with. If you feel like you or a loved one may be struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. 

If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. You got this! We can help. As Saint Francis of Assisi also said, “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” We practice what we preach.

It is important to know the common signs of fentanyl withdrawal, including the physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Knowing the typical detox timeline, as well as what to expect during each stage of recovery, can be vital for long-term success. For more information about the fentanyl symptoms and a detox timeline, please reach out to Hawaii Island Recovery today at (866) 390-5070.