Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs on the market today. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is anywhere from 50 to 100 times as potent as morphine. While fentanyl is a medication that is sometimes utilized in the treatment of severe pain, it is also sold on the street and easily becomes habit-forming. Fentanyl is commonly involved in overdose deaths due to the small amount of the drug it takes to overdose. Fentanyl is also commonly cut into other drugs in order to make them more potent.
Detoxification is the first part of addiction treatment. This process helps clients entering treatment clear their minds and bodies of the presence of toxins that have accumulated as a result of drug use. During detox, clients experience a variety of different withdrawal symptoms as toxins leave their bodies.
Fentanyl has the potential to affect both the mind and the body of the user. While some of the effects of fentanyl may be desired, others are negative, and the potential for overdose makes this drug very dangerous.
The main physical effects of fentanyl are drowsiness, nausea, constipation, problems breathing, and unconsciousness. The main psychological effects of fentanyl are extreme happiness, confusion, and sedation.
Over time, the body becomes unable to feel pleasure when fentanyl is not present, making the potential for dependence very high.
Symptoms of fentanyl detox will typically occur quickly after stopping the use of fentanyl. The severity of these symptoms will depend on how long the drug has been used, as well as other factors like age, health, and frequency of use. Detoxification can be one of the hardest parts of treatment, but once completed has the ability to give clients a new perspective on their life, helping them to enter treatment with a clear mind.
The first part of the detoxification involves clients going through acute withdrawal. During this time, most physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms will begin. The physical fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include nausea, insomnia, vomiting, fever, sweating, runny nose, muscle or joint aches, dizziness, sleepiness, chills, increased respiration, and abdominal cramps. The psychological symptoms of fentanyl detox include severe anxiety and irritability. This is the hardest part of detox on a physical level, as clients are going through a number of internal changes.
During the early abstinence stage of detox, the severity of most physical symptoms of withdrawal will be reduced, while psychological symptoms may still be severe. During this time, cravings will increase, and clients in the early abstinence stage of treatment are at serious risk of relapsing on the drug. This makes being in treatment particularly important during this stage of recovery. Staying at a treatment center allows clients to remain safe and surrounded by support as they go through cravings.
After the early stages of abstinence, clients are able to more effectively combat their cravings. They have also had the opportunity to learn a variety of different coping skills and discover what may have been the root cause of their addiction. They have new relapse prevention skills and are better able to assess triggering situations. Clients at this stage of treatment have begun to feel confident in their sobriety and healthier overall.
There is no set amount of time when it comes to withdrawal from any drug. The amount of time spent on withdrawals can change greatly from person to person. This is one reason that getting individualized treatment is so important. While most fentanyl withdrawal symptoms typically stop after several weeks, some may continue for months or may recur after going away for a period of time. Personalized treatment allows clients to receive the care that works best for them instead of a “one size fits all” approach.
Fentanyl detox may be the right choice for you if:
There are both inpatient and outpatient treatment options available to clients who find themselves addicted to fentanyl, though inpatient programs are typically recommended. During inpatient treatment, clients live on the treatment center campus, ensuring they maintain a safe and structured life while undergoing treatment.
Holistic treatments are also available for those requiring rehabilitation for fentanyl addiction. These programs focus on healing the mind, body, and soul through different therapies, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation.
Medically assisted detox programs are almost always recommended for fentanyl addiction. These programs allow trained medical professionals to keep clients comfortable during their treatment via the use of various medications.
Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous drug, and the risk of overdose when taking fentanyl is high. Fentanyl also makes it almost impossible for users to feel pleasure without the presence of the drug, meaning it is highly likely for addictions to develop. This makes getting help for fentanyl addiction vital. Receiving help in a safe environment with ample support gives clients the best chance at achieving and maintaining their sobriety.
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