How to Choose a Fentanyl Detox Center in the Boston Area

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid drug that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. This drug is commonly used as an adulterant in a wide variety of illicit drugs found on the street. Over the last 3-5 years, overdose death rates involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl have risen substantially.

According to the CDC, “Overdoses involving opioids killed nearly 69,000 people in 2020, and over 82% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids.”[1]

While most people come across fentanyl accidentally, some individuals begin abusing this drug once they have developed a tolerance to heroin. Fentanyl abuse is extremely dangerous, and only a tiny amount of fentanyl could result in a fatal overdose. If you abuse fentanyl, you must seek professional treatment immediately.

The first step to overcoming fentanyl addiction is detox and withdrawal. Although fentanyl withdrawal is usually not life-threatening, it can be nearly impossible to complete without medical support. Choosing a fentanyl detox center in the Boston area to help you begin your recovery allows you to detox safely and comfortably, reducing the risk of relapse and adverse side effects. Speak with a team member at Woburn Addiction Treatment today to get connected with a fentanyl detox center near you.

Why is it Important to Attend Medical Detox for Fentanyl Addiction?

When you abuse fentanyl regularly, your body will become dependent on the substance. Over time, your brain and body will begin to believe that the presence of fentanyl is needed for proper functioning, and if you suddenly stop using fentanyl you will experience symptoms of withdrawal.

The symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include:

• Dysphoric mood
• Intense cravings for more fentanyl
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Dilated pupils
• Diarrhea
• Aching muscles
• Fever

Fentanyl withdrawal can be uncomfortable and painful, often causing people to relapse without the help of a medical detox program.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Fentanyl Detox Center in the Boston Area

Choosing to attend a fentanyl detox program is one of the most important decisions you can make. However, finding the right facility to fit your needs can be difficult, especially if you’ve never gone to a drug and alcohol detox center before.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

If you are addicted to fentanyl or any other opioid, you should consider a detox center that offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is an evidence-based approach to detox that includes the use of FDA-approved medications to prevent cravings and soothe symptoms of withdrawal.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Services, MAT has been proven to:[2]

• Improve patient survival
• Increase retention in treatment
• Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
• Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
• Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

Licensing and Accreditation

Like every service, there are good and bad detox programs. The way to tell the difference between a creditable program and an untrustworthy one is to look for licensing and accreditation.

Accreditation is a process that detox programs go through to prove that they are operating safely and effectively. When a detox center is accredited, you can trust that they provide high-quality care and are dedicated to upholding national standards for practices and treatment approaches.

Payment and Insurance Options

Another thing you should consider is whether the facility accepts your health insurance. While many fentanyl detox centers in the Boston area accept a wide range of insurance plans, some may be out of network depending on which insurer you have. If your insurance is not accepted at the facility you are interested in, you could be looking at extremely high out-of-pocket fees.

If you do not have health insurance, you will want to find out what kind of payment options the program offers. Do they offer sliding scale fees where you are only expected to pay what you can afford? What about scholarships for people who cannot afford addiction treatment?

Location

Location matters when you are choosing a detox center. Do you want to be close to your family? Or, do you feel like being away from the people, places, and things that remind you of your addiction will be helpful to your recovery? Consider the pros and cons of both options and choose the one that is right for you.

Follow-Up Treatment or Aftercare

Finally, it is important to ask about continuing care options. Medical detox is only the first step in your recovery journey, and ongoing treatment is essential for long-term success. Some detox programs offer both inpatient and outpatient services on-site, while others provide only detox and require you to seek additional treatment elsewhere.

At Woburn Addiction Treatment, our licensed addiction specialists can help you identify a detox center that meets your needs and guide you as you transition into one of our accredited rehab programs, ensuring a seamless and supportive path toward lasting recovery.