The opioid epidemic affects more than 2 million people in the United States and is responsible for thousands of overdose deaths each year. Fentanyl is a major contributor to these overdose deaths and poses serious threats to individuals and families in the state of Florida. Finding the right option for fentanyl detox is essential to recovery from addiction to this powerful opioid drug. Here are some facts you should know about fentanyl and its effects on the human body.
Table of Contents
- 1 Understanding Fentanyl and Its Potency
- 2 The Rise of Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose
- 3 Why Professional Detoxification Is the Best Option
- 4 The Fentanyl Detox Process
- 5 Special Challenges in Fentanyl Detox
- 6 Navigating the Path to Recovery After Detox
- 7 How Addiction Treatment Centers Offer a Lifeline
- 8 Allure Detox Can Provide the Help You Need Now
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Potency
Fentanyl is a prescription drug used to treat severe pain. It is 100 times more potent than morphine, which significantly increases the risk of addiction. A synthetic opioid, fentanyl, is available by prescription in patch, injectable, and lozenge forms. It can also be manufactured in illegal drug laboratories and can be added to other illegal drugs to produce a cheaper and more effective high.
Because fentanyl use is so potent, overdoses are relatively common. A lethal dose of fentanyl is two milligrams. Individuals who use illegal street drugs are at a higher risk of fatal overdose when fentanyl is added into the mix.
The Rise of Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has indicated that synthetic opioid abuse has been increasing since 2015. In 2021, more than 70,000 overdose deaths were attributed to the use of synthetic opioids across the United States. In the state of Florida alone, more than 6,150 people died in 2020 from overdoses of fentanyl and fentanyl analog drugs.
The low cost of production for fentanyl has played a significant role in increasing its availability and use. Fentanyl is quite often added to other drugs to increase their effects and to produce a cheaper high. Because a very small amount of fentanyl can result in a fatal overdose, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogs have had a significant impact on drug use-related deaths. Figures released by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics indicate that more than 100 people die each day from opioid overdoses in the United States.
Why Professional Detoxification Is the Best Option
Recovering from fentanyl addiction can be a real struggle for many patients regardless of whether the drug was obtained legally with a prescription or illegally on the street. The symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal can be severe and even life-threatening. Attempting fentanyl detoxification alone or with the help of family and friends can put patients at risk of dangerous side effects and can significantly increase the risk of relapse and the dangers of continued use of fentanyl. Some common symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include the following:
- Severe pain in muscles, bones and joints
- Heightened sensitivity to pain
- Gastrointestinal upsets, stomach cramping including diarrhea, vomiting and severe nausea
- Chills, fever, and sweating
- Insomnia
- Mood disturbances and depression
- Seizures and tremors
- Runny nose and red eyes
- Intense cravings for opioids
Working with a facility that has medical professionals specializing in symptoms of opioid withdrawal and fentanyl detox due to opioid dependence, opioid use disorder, and other substance use disorders is often the most effective method for breaking the cycle of fentanyl addiction and improving the odds of success in recovering from this condition. Fentanyl detox centers have the experience and the clinical tools and medications needed to reduce the physical stress and emotional strain caused by opioid withdrawal. This can improve withdrawal management chances of success in full recovery from fentanyl addiction.
The Fentanyl Detox Process
At Allure Detox, we offer personalized care for patients who need fentanyl detox in a safe and comfortable environment. Because fentanyl is so potent and addictive, most patients require inpatient care to address the physical aspects of detoxification and to ensure safety during the detox process. Fentanyl detox generally takes a few weeks to complete and includes the following steps:
- Assessment by the on-site medical team will include an evaluation of past medical issues, medical history, mental health conditions, and physical health.
- A treatment plan that addresses physical needs, mental health concerns, and other factors will be the next step in the fentanyl detox process. The care team will create a medical detox plan that will allow the patient to withdraw safely and gradually from fentanyl addiction.
- Stabilization is the process of managing the symptoms of withdrawal. This typically involves the use of medications to reduce pain and to relax the patient. Fentanyl detox can be traumatic and can result in behavioral outbursts that must be managed safely, like through behavioral therapy. The appropriate use of medications can reduce the chance of these behaviors and can make the detox process less stressful for patients.
- Management of withdrawal symptoms will be required for up to three weeks. Mild symptoms of withdrawal usually begin between eight and 30 hours after the last dose. These symptoms intensify and are usually at their worst between 36 and 72 hours after the patient’s last dose of fentanyl. Most patients begin to feel better sometime between day five and day eight. The team at Allure Detox will carefully monitor withdrawal symptoms to provide the best support for managing pain during this difficult process.
- Recovery is an ongoing process. Most patients require about 14 days of fentanyl detox before moving to an addiction recovery program in a residential facility. This can assist
Our residential treatment options can transform the lives of those suffering from fentanyl addiction. The medical team at Allure Detox can provide real solutions for fentanyl detox, behavioral healthcare, and substance abuse to assist our patients in the recovery process.
Special Challenges in Fentanyl Detox
The potency of fentanyl abuse can lead to some additional challenges during the detox and recovery process. Some of the most serious challenges facing patients and their care teams are listed here:
- Sleep disorders are common during the detoxification process and throughout recovery from fentanyl misuse and abuse. Addressing these issues can significantly improve the patient’s prognosis during recovery.
- Some patients report an inability to experience happiness or pleasure. For some people, this side effect of fentanyl dependence can take weeks or months to subside. Depression and dysphoria may also occur during detox and can sometimes be treated with therapy and medication.
- Anxiety can occur during fentanyl detox as well as during recovery. The detox care team will address these issues with therapy, support and medication.
After the fentanyl detoxification process is completed, most patients will need a period of time to recover and to learn new habits and coping mechanisms to maintain sobriety. Working with Allure Detox is often the most practical and positive step toward achieving lasting freedom from addiction and ensuring the best possible chance of success in the healing process.
How Addiction Treatment Centers Offer a Lifeline
Combining fentanyl detox with addiction recovery services is not a new idea. At Allure Detox, however, we take your recovery seriously and provide you with the recommended treatment options for opioid addiction and detoxification. We provide medications and support to help you navigate detox more comfortably in a safe and secure environment.
Left untreated, fentanyl addiction can result in death. Addiction recovery centers like Allure Detox offer a lifeline for patients in overcoming the physical issues associated with withdrawal and in achieving freedom from addiction. These facilities focus on the needs of patients and their families in dealing with the physical, mental and emotional aspects of addiction recovery.
Allure Detox Can Provide the Help You Need Now
At Allure Detox, we offer help and hope for fentanyl detox patients in West Palm Beach, Florida. Our team has the experience necessary to implement the recommended treatment program for those addicted to this potent opioid drug.
To learn more about our fentanyl detox programs and recovery options, you can call us today or touch base with us online. Our team will work with you and your family to ensure that you receive the help you need and to provide you with accurate and important information that could save your life or the life of someone you love.