Fentanyl addiction can be difficult to treat, especially due to the severity of the withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping the use of opioids. At Camelback Recovery, we take a comprehensive approach to treating drug addiction. In our alcohol and drug detox center, we can help people in recovery cope with physical withdrawal symptoms during fentanyl detox in the short term, as well as build long-term habits to help them stay clean. What Is Fentanyl and Its Risks?
Fentanyl is a painkiller that’s 100 times more potent than morphine. It belongs to the opioid family and is sometimes prescribed to treat severe pain. In recent years, there’s been an increase in fentanyl abuse, with people acquiring illicitly made versions of the drug. As with many other opioids, fentanyl is highly addictive. Long-term fentanyl use can have severe consequences, including:
- Impulsive behavior
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Extreme weight loss
- Irregular menstrual cycles in women
- Sexual issues for men
- Miscarriage or premature delivery if used during pregnancy
Long-term users are also more likely to overdose on the drug, and fentanyl overdose can be fatal. Due to these risks, those who are struggling with fentanyl addiction must seek professional advice from local addiction specialists.
Another thing to consider is that many people using fentanyl acquire it from illicit sellers. Drug dealers mix fentanyl with other substances or may sell pills with a different dose than what the buyer expects, increasing the risk of overdose.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Fentanyl Abuse and Addiction
Individuals may have a fentanyl addiction if they experience severe withdrawal symptoms once they stop consuming the drug. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Irritability or agitation
- Runny nose
- Blurred vision
- Seizures
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cravings for fentanyl
- Accidental overdose
Withdrawal symptoms can present differently for each person, but those with a long-term fentanyl addiction of several months or years will likely experience more intense symptoms. Combining fentanyl with other substances, such as cocaine or alcohol, can also produce additional withdrawal symptoms.
How Long Do Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
An individual may experience two withdrawal phases at a fentanyl detox facility. Symptoms last for about a week to a week and a half during the acute phase. In the post-acute phase, symptoms may linger for several months to years.
During acute withdrawal, mild opioid withdrawal symptoms, such as restlessness, sweating and muscle aches, start about 12 hours after the last fentanyl dose. Severe symptoms, including high blood pressure, loss of appetite, muscle weakness and insomnia, may occur about 2 to 4 days later. After 4 to 10 days in a fentanyl detox program, psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, may begin. Individuals may continue to experience some physical side effects but at a reduced intensity.
After 10 days at a substance abuse treatment center, individuals enter the post-acute withdrawal phase. For several weeks, a person may experience physical symptoms, such as vomiting, cravings, goose bumps, nausea and abdominal cramps. Mental health issues may continue for several months, requiring long-term dual diagnosis treatment for a co-occurring substance use and mental health disorder.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), co-occurring disorders are very common and affect approximately 9.2 million adults in the United States. This is why fentanyl addiction treatment often addresses substance use and mental health issues.
How Long Does It Take to Detox From Fentanyl?
Most patients spend 5 to 7 days in medical detox centers to rid their body of fentanyl. Medical professionals at a treatment facility are trained to minimize withdrawal symptoms during this period, making detox more bearable for individuals to prevent relapse.
Attending a medical detox center is often the first step in helping individuals overcome addiction. Many people enter a residential treatment program, PHP for addiction rehab, IOP for addiction rehab, or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) after the detox process for further treatment.
Our Fentanyl Detox Program
At Camelback Recovery, we offer medical detox as a part of our fentanyl addiction treatment services for individuals looking to beat opioid addiction, including intensive outpatient programs and inpatient rehab options.
Medical Supervision for Fentanyl Withdrawal
Medically supervised detox can help manage severe withdrawal symptoms. For many people, this is the first step in treating fentanyl addiction. Our specialists will meet with you to discuss the nature of your addiction and perform a thorough medical examination. If you choose to stay at the rehab center, they’ll monitor you throughout the fentanyl withdrawal process and provide medications to help minimize the withdrawal symptoms. Once the drug is out of your system, you can progress to the next stage of treatment.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for the Fentanyl Detox Program in Phoenix
A detox center may offer MAT to help individuals overcome their substance use disorder. MAT is the use of medications alongside behavioral therapy to treat substance use, and it’s proven to be an effective treatment for fentanyl and other opioids. There are several FDA-approved medications used in MAT, including:
- Naltrexone
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
While taking these medications, individuals also attend counseling sessions, either individually or in a group setting. The most common therapies used in MAT are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Contingency reinforcement
- Community reinforcement
The combination of medications and therapies is meant to reduce opioid overdose deaths, decrease opioid use, reduce cravings, improve treatment retention and strengthen social and interpersonal performance. These are all factors that can help individuals experience a successful recovery journey.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Everyone’s fentanyl addiction story is different. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, our counselors and doctors will get to know you and your circumstances and develop a treatment plan based on your needs.
For example, some of the clients we work with have co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis. For these individuals, a longer program of residential treatment or an intensive outpatient program might offer the best chances of success, as they’ll be able to address the other challenges they’re facing as part of this treatment.
Some of our clients were prescribed fentanyl and went on to become dependent on it. These individuals may still face some challenges when it comes to long-term recovery, but our approach to treatment may be different, perhaps involving an outpatient program after the withdrawal process is completed.
We understand many clients have family responsibilities or jobs to consider. Those responsibilities shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing professional help for an addiction. Our intensive outpatient program and long-term outpatient treatment options make fentanyl addiction rehab accessible to a wider demographic.
Safe and Supportive Environment
Fentanyl addiction affects people from all walks of life. Often, people feel nervous about going into an inpatient treatment facility because “addiction doesn’t happen to people like me.”
Camelback Recovery treatment centers are designed to be safe, secure and nurturing environments where everyone can get the support they need. When you check in to the addiction treatment center, you’ll talk to a doctor and a therapist who’ll assess your needs and work out the best way to help you with your fentanyl withdrawal symptoms.
All our staff members want to help you beat your addiction. They’re on your side and aren’t there to lecture or judge. We’ve worked with people of all ages and from all walks of life and have heard all kinds of substance abuse stories and journeys. Whatever the reason you started abusing fentanyl, our goal is to help you break free from its grasp.
Benefits of Professional Fentanyl Detoxification
If you’ve been using fentanyl for some time, stopping could be difficult. Working with a professional can be beneficial for many reasons.
- Safety: While the withdrawal symptoms associated with fentanyl are rarely fatal, they can be unpleasant, and there may be additional risks for those who have co-occurring disorders.
- Comfort: Withdrawal symptoms, including cramps, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, gastric distress and cold flashes, make it difficult for people to stay the course when they stop taking opioids. Having medical assistance throughout the withdrawal process increases the likelihood of success.
- Support: Fentanyl addiction is difficult to beat. The cravings can be intense during the first few days of the withdrawal period. Even after the drug is out of your system, if you don’t have alternative coping mechanisms in place, it’s easy to fall back to old drug-seeking habits. Trained therapists and counselors can arm you with the skills you need to avoid drug use once you return to your day-to-day life.
Our therapists understand that recovery isn’t a linear process and some bumps in the road are normal. We’re here to support you every day and won’t blame or punish you if things aren’t going as well as you’d like. Your long-term success is the most important thing to us, even if the path you take to reach it isn’t always a straight line.
By offering both inpatient and outpatient rehab options, we make it as easy as possible for people to get the support they need. Our clinics are safe, welcoming environments where our clients can engage in immersive treatments, free from challenges that might cause a relapse. During your stay at a center, you’ll receive round-the-clock support and engage in activities in a structured environment where your only focus is recovery.
Comprehensive Care Beyond Detox
Detox is just one part of the recovery process. At Camelback Recovery, we offer the full continuum of care with comprehensive fentanyl addiction treatment that goes beyond the basics.
Those who receive ongoing counseling and support are less likely to relapse than those who simply go through a detox and then leave the treatment center to return to their old lifestyle. This could surround them with the challenges and influences that may have contributed to the addiction in the first place.
Our treatment services attempt to set people up for success by having them consider what led to their substance abuse and how they can avoid falling into those traps again in the future. This comprehensive approach helps prevent relapse and promotes long-term recovery.
Insurance and Payment Options
We offer various payment options for our detox services. We work with several health insurance providers, including Aetna. If you’re uninsured or your plan doesn’t cover substance abuse treatment, we may still be able to help you. In addition to offering a variety of installment plans, we also have some financial aid available for those on a low income.
Our finance team would be happy to explain these options to you. To find out if your insurance plan covers detox and addiction treatment, simply fill out our insurance verification form.
Choose Camelback Recovery for Fentanyl Detox in Phoneix
The counselors, therapists and doctors at Camelback Recovery have extensive experience in supporting people through substance abuse recovery. We’ve worked with people from all walks of life and helped them on the path back to a healthy lifestyle.
Through individual and group therapies, medication-assisted withdrawal, vocational training and community reinforcement, we can help you beat substance abuse. We understand that enrolling in addiction treatment is a big step to take, but we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Call our Phoenix, Arizona, alcohol and drug detox center now at 602-466-9880 for a confidential consultation.
