End Fentanyl Addiction with Professional Detox and Rehab Support

Introduction: You Don’t Have to Do this Alone

Trying to quit drugs like fentanyl on your own can be scary, but the good news is you don’t have to do it alone. There are treatment programs and support groups to help you obtain and maintain sobriety. The first step starts with you. You have to be ready to make that change.

Fentanyl is a very dangerous and extremely addictive drug, especially if used incorrectly. Fentanyl is 50-100 times more potent than other opioids like morphine. Fentanyl can be prescribed to treat people suffering from severe pain after surgery or chronic pain. 

However, even with prescriptions, there’s a chance of addiction to this powerful opioid. Tolerance can be built up in the body that causes you to need greater and more frequent doses to get the same effect. This raises the risk of overdose.

If you need help for fentanyl addiction, getting help from a professional fentanyl detox center and rehab is one of the safest and most effective ways. Fentanyl detox is the first step to get off the drug in a safe manner. 

But detoxing on your own can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, dangerous. Fentanyl withdrawal can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Those who try to quit “cold turkey” often experience severe symptoms, including intense cravings, extreme discomfort, and potential medical complications.

Rehab programs provide stays in a therapeutic environment for 28+ days after the initial detox phase. This can include addressing your substance use issues on an individual or group basis as well as receiving medication management services.

Programs often address mental health issues alongside your substance use concerns due to those two things going hand-in-hand.

What Does Fentanyl Addiction Look Like and Why is It So Dangerous

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approved by the Food and Drug Administration to relieve pain and as an anesthetic. Individuals typically consume fentanyl intravenously, intramuscularly (shot), transdermally such as skin patches, or even in the form of a volatile nasal spray. Fentanyl is less available in oral tablets or powders when prescribed by a medical professional.

Fentanyl is like heroin in how it binds to your brain’s opioid receptors that regulate pain and emotions. Not only does continued use build up tolerance, it damages the brain and makes it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug. 

Repeated use causes your body to not make as many endorphins as it used to. Once tolerance builds up, your body and brian start having cravings for this specific drug. Due to its potency, addiction can form even with just short-term use.

As dependence grows and prescriptions run out, some people start turning to illegal means to avoid withdrawal and maintain their use. They consume illicit fentanyl beyond the medically-prescribed formats. They take the drug by snorting, smoking, orally by pill or tablet, spiked onto blotter paper, or patches. 

Some combine fentanyl with heroin and other substances. Fentanyl has turned up in fake pills that mimic pharmaceutical drugs such as oxycodone.

The following are warning signs of fentanyl addiction:

• Taking more fentanyl or taking it for longer than intended
• Continuing fentanyl use despite interpersonal conflict created or worsened by use
• Decreasing ability to fulfill obligations at home or work due to fentanyl use

Anytime fentanyl is used, there’s a chance of overdose. In some cases, people unknowingly take fentanyl either in pressed pills or other forms that can cause unexpected overdoses. In other instances, people take too much, which can lead to an overdose.

How to Get Off Fentanyl Safely and Effectively

Quitting fentanyl abruptly or alone can be dangerous for some people due to the serious withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to get professional help. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to get off fentanyl.

The first step is recognizing you need help. It’s important to know yourself and the warning signs associated with fentanyl use. If you’re prescribed fentanyl and think you’re becoming addicted, talk to your medical provider about cutting down your dose or ask for treatment resources. If you’re using fentanyl illegally, you need to seek appropriate medical treatment as well. 

Start your fentanyl detox in a medical facility. This ensures that your medical needs are being taken care of appropriately as you experience withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous if done alone.

The next step after detox is to engage in some form of treatment whether in an inpatient program or on an outpatient basis. Either type of program may include medication assisted treatment (MAT). If you choose MAT, you’ll engage in therapy alongside being prescribed methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.

Therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing (MI) have proven to help with substance use disorders. It’s also crucial to participate in a recovery community to connect to others dealing with the same things as you and to help maintain sobriety.

Fentanyl Detox: What to Expect

Detoxing from fentanyl can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that begin as early as a few hours after the drug was last taken. The peak in intensity is usually 36-72 hours after the last dose and typically continues for 7-10 days and up to a few weeks.

These symptoms include the following:

• muscle and bone pain
• sleep problems
• diarrhea and vomiting
• cold flashes with goosebumps
• uncontrollable leg movements
• severe cravings

Factors to consider regarding the severity of your withdrawal symptoms include the extent of fentanyl use, the dose strength, and the frequency. These symptoms and the psychological effects are why 24/7 medical supervision and access to mental health providers are often necessary.

Medications Used in Detox and Recovery

For withdrawal management, you may be prescribed medications to ease your cravings and symptoms.

These meds are the following:

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone/Subutex): An opioid receptor partial agonist that attaches to and partially activates opioid receptor to ease withdrawal symptoms
• Methadone: An opioid receptor full agonist that attaches to and activates opioid receptors to ease withdrawal symptoms
• Clonidine or Lucemyra: Lofexidine (Lucemyra) is an alpha-adrenergic agonist and a structural analogue of clonidine. Both medications can mitigate withdrawal symptoms when an adult discontinues opioid use.

For long-term recovery, the following medications are prescribed:

• Naltrexone (Vivitrol): An opioid receptor antagonist that prevents fentanyl from attaching to opioid receptors which block its effects.
• Buprenorphine (Suboxone and other brands): Suboxone is effective and safe when used correctly for long-term recovery. If MAT is prescribed by a licensed medical provider, it can be beneficial and even life saving.

It’s important that you engage in therapy alongside receiving medication to help address any underlying mental health issues. This helps ensure you have a long recovery.

Therapy Options that Support Recovery

Behavioral counseling for opioid addictions helps you improve your attitudes and behaviors related to drug use and enhance healthy life skills so that you stick to your program. Here are some forms of therapy that can be helpful for fentanyl addiction:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) modifies your drug use expectations and behaviors and effectively manages triggers and stress.
• Contingency management consists of a voucher-based system that rewards you with “points” for negative drug tests. These points can be exchanged for goods that promote healthy living.
• Motivational interviewing encourages a patient to change. This form of counseling addresses any mixed feelings that can make someone reluctant to modify their behavior.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of trauma therapy that focuses on symptoms associated with disturbing experiences that trigger addictions. EMDR encourages patients to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) to reduce the vividness and emotional trauma.
• Family therapy and education engages family members to help them understand you and how your brain and body work in relation to addiction. Your family can partake in support groups to share their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment while interacting with others who are dealing with the same struggles. 

Another component of recovery is the importance of individual therapy and connecting with a local recovery community. 

Types of Fentanyl Rehab Programs

In addition to medications, a full continuity of care can really enhance your recovery.

There are different types of options, depending on the severity of your disorder.

Here are some general categories:

• Inpatient Rehab: Inpatient rehab may be the best option for people dealing with serious addictions or are at a high risk of relapsing. Inpatient programs are often structured and scheduled so you constantly engage in some aspect of treatment or bettering yourself. There’s 24/7 supervision. This level of care gives you a strong chance to focus on your recovery.
• Outpatient Rehab: Outpatient care is a step down from inpatient care and can be used when you complete inpatient treatment or as a standalone plan for someone with less serious addictions. Outpatient treatment is more flexible and often more affordable. It comes in a range of intensities to evolve with clients’ changing needs.
• Specialized Fentanyl Rehab Centers: When looking into specialized fentanyl rehab centers, it’s important to know if they have licensed medical providers and clinical staff who provide the treatment. Call them beforehand and ask about their relapse prevention methods and discharge planning.

How to Choose the Right Treatment Program

Here are some top questions to ask when evaluating a treatment center:

1. Is medication-assisted treatment available?
2. Do you specialize in fentanyl detox or synthetic opioid addiction?
3. What kinds of therapy are offered? 
4. Is aftercare support available after discharge?

Fentanyl addiction recovery is lengthy and can even be painful, but that doesn’t mean you’re helpless. Equip yourself with free and online resources from TreatmentCentersDirectory.com to give a final curtain to fentanyl.