What is the Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline?
How long fentanyl withdrawal timeline lasts varies from person to person depending on a variety of factors including:
- The frequency in which you used fentanyl
- How big of a dose you used each time
- Your overall physical health
- How long you were using fentanyl for
- Whether you have any co-occurring mental or physical conditions
- Whether you were using other substances along with fentanyl
There is a general timeline that most people follow. Symptoms of withdrawal typically begin within 12 hours of your last dose and resolve within a week. Unfortunately, you could develop a condition known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which causes you to experience symptoms of withdrawal past the usual timeline.
The fentanyl withdrawal timeline can be divided up into three phases:
Early Phase
Early symptoms typically begin 2 to 4 hours after your last dose. Symptoms may include excessive yawning, body aches, and chills. In other words, you may feel like you are sick with the flu.
You may also experience psychological symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, and cravings for fentanyl.
Peak Phase
During the peak phase of fentanyl withdrawal timeline, you will experience the most severe and concerning symptoms. This stage of withdrawal usually begins 24 to 36 hours after your last dose and could last for up to a week.
Peak symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal often include:
- Yawning
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Increased breathing rate
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Cravings for fentanyl
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
While you should complete the detox process within a week, some individuals develop a condition known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS refers to symptoms of withdrawal for a longer period than usual, sometimes lasting for months. Because developing PAWS is always a possibility, you should always seek medical treatment if you are addicted to fentanyl.
The symptoms of PAWS could include:[2]
- Anhedonia
- Cognitive difficulties
- Depression
- Pink cloud syndrome
- Volatile mood disorders
- Outbursts of anger
- Feelings or actions of self-harm
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Insomnia
The Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal
The symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal can range from mild to severe, depending on the frequency and length of time you were abusing the drug. Common symptoms associated with fentanyl withdrawal are similar to that of other opioids like heroin, oxycodone, or morphine. However, because this substance is much more potent, the symptoms of withdrawal may be more severe.
Symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal may include:
- Anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Fever
- Depression
- Excessive sweating
- Runny nose
- Anxiety
- Irritability and agitation
- Chills and goosebumps
- Muscle or joint aches
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Increased breathing rate
- Abdominal cramps
While these symptoms are not life-threatening, some of them can lead to medical emergencies. For example, the combination of excessive sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting can lead to severe dehydration, or depression can become so severe that you develop self-harming behaviors or begin experiencing suicidal ideation.
The best way to detox from fentanyl is to get help from a drug detox center or another medical facility.
Get The Care You Need and Deserve
Woburn Wellness Addiction Treatment is a leader in the addiction treatment field, with proven success in facilitating long-term recovery. Our team of top clinical & medical experts specializes in treating addiction coupled with mental illness, ensuring that each person receives individualized care. Call us – we’re available 24/day, 7 days/week.
How is Fentanyl Withdrawal Treated?
Medical detox centers use several withdrawal management practices that help to soothe your symptoms of withdrawal. The goal is to ensure you do not experience severe symptoms that could motivate you to relapse.
It is important to note that detox is only the first step in addiction recovery, it should always be followed with inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment.
Fentanyl detox treatments can reduce the pain and discomfort caused by fentanyl withdrawal by prescribing FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine, lofexidine, or methadone.
Medical detox centers in Massachusetts can offer:
- A supervised environment that offers round-the-clock nursing care
- Peer support and addiction education
- Access to therapy and counseling services
- Aftercare planning and support
- Relapse prevention skills to use after completion of the program
Does Health Insurance Cover Rehab?
The cost of rehab is one major obstacle that stands in the way of people seeking help for addiction. Many people who seek treatment do so because they are suffering from a severe addiction, and, as a result, may be low on money and financial resources. After all, many people who suffer from addiction spend excess money on their substances and get themselves in poor financial shape.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, longer treatment programs are directly associated with positive treatment outcomes. In fact, they suggest that a 90-day program is the minimum amount of time a person should receive treatment for substance abuse.[1] While 90 days may not seem like a long time in the grand scheme of things, 90 days is a long time to be responsible for paying for treatment. And, the longer you spend in rehab, the more expensive you can expect your bill to be.
This leaves many people like you wondering whether or not your insurance will cover rehab in Massachusetts. While each person’s insurance coverage varies, the good news is all health insurance providers are required to cover substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
Find a Fentanyl Detox Center in Massachusetts Today
If you or a loved one suffer from fentanyl addiction, do not attempt to quit on your own. Doing so could result in painful symptoms of withdrawal, causing you to relapse to soothe your symptoms. Instead of attempting to go through this alone, consider asking for help. Woburn Wellness is a top-rated facility that can provide you with all of the tools and support you need to overcome fentanyl addiction safely and comfortably. We will connect you with a detox facility, arrange an individually-tailored treatment plan, and support you on your road to recovery. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.
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