Fentanyl Withdrawal
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Fentanyl is one of the opioid drugs often prescribed by doctors. It is a prescription medication recommended in cases of chronic pain, surgery-related pain, or cancer-related pain. If it’s used correctly and for a short period, fentanyl is very useful and will not lead to long-term consequences.
But just like any other opioid drug, fentanyl comes with a few dangers, one of them being the risk of addiction. After using the drug regularly, a patient’s body can build tolerance – therefore, the usual dose will no longer give that euphoric feeling. So, against the doctor’s recommendations, the patient may end up increasing this amount, leading to dependence and later addiction, which also increases the overdose risk.
When the individual tries to decrease the amount of fentanyl or stop altogether, they may experience unpleasant symptoms known as “withdrawal”. It’s important to know how to treat these withdrawal symptoms and we’ll learn more about this in the following paragraphs.
Explaining Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an opioid drug used to treat chronic, severe pain. It is prescribed as medication by doctors, and it comes in different forms, either as a pill, in nasal sprays, in patch form, or as an injection. Fentanyl not only helps relieve pain, but it may also lead to euphoric feelings, which help mask the pain even more.
Fentanyl should only be used based on a doctor’s instruction and under the doctor’s supervision. Even then, the drug can be very dangerous and lead to an addiction. Apart from that, there are people who obtain fentanyl illegally, which makes addiction even worse and will result in bad long-term effects.
The drug is more potent than morphine, which is one of the reasons why it is so dangerous. Furthermore, while it acts similarly to heroin, it is 100 times more potent than this well-known drug.
Fentanyl Addiction
When used regularly, a potent drug such as fentanyl can easily spark an addiction. As time passes by and the person keeps using fentanyl, their body gets used to the substance and expects it regularly. So, the individual will not only use the drug in order to experience the euphoric effects but also to calm their cravings.
Fentanyl addiction may be very intense – so intense that obtaining and consuming the drug will be the only thing on the user’s mind. They would do anything to get the powerful opioid, even if that means buying it from illegal sources.
This addiction is hard to get rid of, especially if it’s been an issue for a long time. More often than not, professional help from an addiction treatment center is required in order to help someone ditch the addiction and improve their life. This involves going to detox in a rehab center and perhaps even going to therapy to identify triggers and find healthier ways to cope.
Causes of Withdrawals
Fentanyl withdrawal is what happens when someone has been addicted to the drug for a very long time and suddenly stops using it or tries decreasing the amount they consume.
Fentanyl triggers the pleasure center of the brain. As a result, the brain will request the drug all the time and when it doesn’t receive it, some unpleasant symptoms will appear. These are known as “withdrawal”.
Some may deal with mild withdrawal if they haven’t been addicted to the substance for a considerable amount of time, while others are not as lucky. In some individuals, the withdrawal will be so intense that they will go back to consuming the drug just so they find relief. Medical attention is necessary to help handle withdrawal and treat it. Finding a specific opioid treatment center can assist in the withdrawals and help for long-term recovery.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Fentanyl withdrawal will show up with various symptoms that vary from one person to another. While one person may deal with certain effects, others may experience a different combination of symptoms. Some of the most common fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Being unable to sleep
- Experiencing abdominal cramps
- Agitation and anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Body pain
- Increased blood pressure
- Faster heartbeat
It is possible for some individuals using the substance to experience hallucinations, seizures, and depression. Medical help is required, as handling these symptoms alone can be difficult and almost impossible in some cases. In serious cases, fentanyl can lead to an overdose, and immediate medical help is needed.
Timeline for Withdrawals
Everyone experiences fentanyl withdrawal differently, but there is a timeline that the symptoms will usually follow.
The symptoms may begin around 12-24 hours after the last fentanyl dose. Then, after 48 hours, the symptoms will be at their peak and will last for up to a week. But post-acute symptoms can stay for months or years after the individual gave up on fentanyl.
Also, even though many physical symptoms will start to go away after a week, there will still be emotional symptoms that the former addict will deal with. They may have cravings, but also anxiety and depression.
Getting Treatment For Withdrawals
The fentanyl addict may be in rehab going through detoxification, and that is when the withdrawal symptoms peak. Luckily, the person will be around professionals who know exactly what to do.
In order to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms, the care providers will use medications that can control them. Naltrexone and Buprenorphine are replacement drugs that may help decrease withdrawal cravings, so they are sometimes used during the process. Not to mention that the professionals will always be around the former addict, making sure they do not do something harmful while the withdrawal symptoms are present.
Detox will be part of the process, and the patient will continue their treatment for withdrawal until the symptoms are gone.
Why Choose Real Deal
Real Deal is just what you need after going through fentanyl withdrawal. Since this phase is very intense, you will want to get some peace and quiet before returning to your normal life. Real Deal can offer this to you.
After going through fentanyl withdrawal and being treated for it, you can stay in a sober living home. Not only is this going to keep you stress-free after your experience, but it will also help you slowly return to your normal life.
If someone you know is going through fentanyl withdrawal, make sure to call for help immediately. Withdrawal is very intense, and the person will not be able to deal with the symptoms alone. Calling professionals like us will make sure that withdrawal is treated accordingly, and the former addict is safe.