Reviewed by Clare Waismann, RAS / SUDCC
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl Abuse and Addiction
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Detox Treatment for Fentanyl
The first step to overcome Fentanyl addiction is completing an effective detoxification program. Unfortunately, cold turkey or unassisted Fentanyl detox can be extremely painful and challenging. The length and intensity of the withdrawal symptoms are more than what most people can handle independently. For that reason, an inpatient medical treatment, such as the Waismann Method®, is usually the best and safest option for detoxification. Doctors can provide a patient with adequate support to manage the withdrawal symptoms while safely managing vitals.
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What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a potent, synthetic opioid, chemically similar to meperidine (Demerol). It is a short-acting painkiller drug that works by inhibiting the pathways of pain to the brain.
Fentanyl is also available in several different formulations such as:
- Sublimaze – intravenous injection
- Duragesic – skin patch
- Fentora – dissolving oral tablet
- Actiq – lozenge or lollipop
- Subsys – a mouth spray
- Abstral
- Onsolis
Fentanyl poses a significant likelihood of abuse because of its pleasurable sensation of euphoria. Moreover, individuals often abuse it in an attempt to self-medicate or drown out emotional distress. In particular, the brain’s reward centers’ effects reinforce the desire for repeated use (physical cravings).
Fentanyl Abuse and Addiction
Your doctor may have prescribed Fentanyl for pain management. The medication works by alleviating pain while attaching to the opioid receptors in the body. It also stimulates neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine, which gives the user a renewed sense of euphoria. Once the user experiences exhilaration (usually referred to as “a high”), they are likely to repeatedly seek the sensation. Then, when drug use becomes daily, tolerance, dependence, and addiction can develop. Therefore, it’s essential to watch for signs and symptoms of developing physiological tolerance, which may take both physical and emotional addiction.
Signs that can suggest a Fentanyl addiction:
- Irritability
- Increasing sleep disturbance
- Decline in productivity
- The constant concern with acquiring more medication
- Frequent early renewal requests for new prescriptions
- Repeated complaints of pain
- Unwilling to try non-opioid drugs for any pain management
- Pin-point pupils
- Avoiding close relationships
- Secretive behavior
All of these signs could result in a negative emotional state. Often depression, anxiety, and irritability accompany this emotional state. In addition to the psychological and psychosocial effects, Fentanyl can cause several adverse health effects.
For example, physical symptoms associated with dependence can include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Sedation
- Slowed breathing can increase the risk of severe respiratory depression or even respiratory failure (overdose).
- Drowsiness
- Intermittent loss of consciousness
- Coma
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
A fentanyl patch is a form of extended-release medication that increases its effects in the first 12-24 hours of using it and often lasting for up to 72 hours. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a Duragesic patch has a half-life of around 17 hours. What that means is that after removing the patch, it takes a day or so until withdrawal symptoms are likely to begin.
The following are potential effects of Duragesic (Fentanyl) withdrawal, which are likely to peak on the first few days and last for a week or so:
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Yawning
- Chills
- Bodyache
- Nause and/ or vomiting
- Diarrhea and stomach cramps
- Rapid Heart rate
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Extreme anxiety
When faced with addiction’s emotional, social, and health impairments, some try to quit independently. Consequently, they usually find themselves battling unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The pain and suffering caused by an opioid withdrawal can quickly become overwhelming, and relapse becomes quite familiar. Therefore, after several failed attempts to quit using, seeking a detox treatment may be the best choice for a successful recovery.
Fentanyl Detox Treatment
An inpatient, medically-assisted fentanyl withdrawal treatment is both more comfortable and potentially safer than other detox programs. In fact, given this drug’s strength, a sudden relapse during the withdrawal phase can result in respiratory failure and even death.
During an inpatient medical detox, patients have minimal access to dangerous drugs and exposure to triggering situations. Additionally, patients receive medications to reduce anxiety, withdrawal syndrome, and cravings. In a full-service hospital, patients have access to additional medical providers for any issues or complications resulting from substance abuse.
Above all, a well-integrated detoxification program should offer multiple medical protocols, tailor-made to each patient’s individual medical and emotional needs.
Hospital Medical Detoxification and Rapid Detox
Waismann Method® Treatment Center has one of the highest opioid detoxification success rates in history. Additionally, its reputation stands on over two decades of commitment to exceptional care. The Waismann Method® has one exclusive location worldwide. Patients fly from all over the world to Southern California to be treated medically by Dr. Michael H. Lowenstein, our medical director. Moreover, he is Quadruple Board-Certified and recognized worldwide as one of the top experts on opioid use disorder.
Furthermore, detox centers that provide treatment in a private, full-service accredited hospital can offer patients several medically assisted detoxification options. Waismann Detox™ patients receive around the clock supervision and detox management in their private rooms by medical teams and specialists. Consequently, being in a hospital allows for the most comfortable, safe, and effective way to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.
With the Waismann treatment program, nearly 100% of patients complete detox. As a result, patients are able to move forward towards a recovery program of their choice.
Fentanyl Detox Treatment
Although Fentanyl, like other opioid drugs, has a similar mechanism to heroin, it is more than 100 times more potent. Furthermore, reports from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding overdoses are rapidly rising, including emergency department visits and drug seizures.
Individualization of fentanyl withdrawal treatment is the hallmark of successful care. Therefore, we consistently deliver a personalized and thorough assessment process for each patient. Our goal is to manage the physiological changes that occur during the opioid detoxification phase. More importantly, this superior level of care allows us to provide patients the highest degree of comfort and safety throughout the detox process.
The admission process begins with initial outreach to the Waismann Institute team. At that time, an opioid specialist answers questions while assisting patients through the completion of an intake. After that, our medical staff will review the information while developing a better understanding of their medical and psychosocial history.
We are here to serve patients for whom the quality, comfort and effectiveness of medical treatment received are core necessities.
Drug detox is often a scary and challenging process to overcome. Despite the difficulties, getting through withdrawals is possible. All you need is the right medical support. Waismann Method® has proven to be a more efficient way to detox than other traditional rehab programs.
For more information about Waismann fentanyl withdrawal treatment,
call us today at 1-800-423-2482. We are available seven days a week.
Reviewed by Clare Waismann, Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS), Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC), founder of Waismann Method® Advanced Treatment for Opiate Dependence All topics for the Opiates.com blog are selected and written based on high standards of editorial quality, including cited sources. Articles are reviewed by Clare Waismann, RAS/SUDCC, and for accuracy, credibility, and relevancy to the audience. Clare Waismann is an authority and expert on opioid dependence, opioid use disorder, substance dependence, detoxification treatments, detox recovery, and other topics covered on Opiates.com. Some articles are additionally reviewed by one of Waismann Method’s specialists or third-party sources, depending on their field of expertise. For additional information and disclaimers regarding third-party sources and content for informational purposes only, please see our Terms of Service.
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