Fentanyl is a strong opioid painkiller used to treat various pains. But if abused, this drug can lead to addiction and a slew of problems without interventions.
Good thing, a detox process can help you quit the substance and avoid its life-threatening complications. But the question is, how long will the detox take?
In this post, our team at LA Wellness Home will give you a rundown of the basics of fentanyl detox. Read on to learn how we can help you!
Fentanyl and Its Addiction Potential
Fentanyl is a powerful man-made opioid under the Schedule II classification of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. It’s also considered the most potent opioid available on the market, which is roughly 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Also, it’s 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin, both of which are prone to abuse just the same.
Originally, fentanyl was intended for use in the medical world as an effective painkiller. It provides relief on sudden bouts of pain under the strict prescription and administration of a medical professional.
When ingested, fentanyl will bind with your opioid brain receptors to alter pain signal transmission. This is why you’ll feel relaxation and euphoria. However, if taken for long periods and with improper dosages, fentanyl can change your brain chemistry, which will lead to tolerance and dependence. If not detected, addiction will ensue.
Addiction to fentanyl often happens due to the euphoric effects it produces. As you continuously abuse fentanyl, you’ll keep wanting for higher dosages to achieve a more euphoric effect.
In that case, you’ll have intense physical and psychological craving. This is why you may prioritize obtaining and using fentanyl over all other aspects of your lives.
Why is Medical Detox from Fentanyl Important?
Fentanyl addiction is a serious condition. But with the right treatment, you can break free from its grip. And for this to happen, you need to commit to a medication-assisted detox in a facility like LA Wellness Home.
During your stay in our residential facility, you’ll have a safe and controlled environment to tackle addiction. Here, you’ll start the detox process, which is the first step of our fentanyl addiction treatment.
With us, you’ll get a medication-assisted approach to address withdrawal and detox symptoms. Our clinical team will give you 24/7 supervision, so you’ll get medical attention right when you need it.
Aside from that, we will provide you with therapy and counseling for further recovery from fentanyl addiction. Our goal is for you to regain hope, sense of control, and resolve to live your life away from addiction.
The Risk of DIY Fentanyl Detox
We’ve encountered some clients who have tried DIY detox before only to end up relapsing. Worse, some of them experience life-threatening symptoms due to the lack of medical attention.
Take note that going cold turkey is not the right approach if you want to quit fentanyl use. It’s because withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl can be severe without the right medical intervention.
Aside from that, you’re likely to relapse if you don’t get proper treatment for addiction. Worse, you may turn to self-medication, which can start another form of addiction in the long run.
How Long Does It Take to Detox Off Fentanyl?
Getting clean from fentanyl doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long and ongoing process and the duration depends on your exact condition.
Our specialist can advise you about the ideal length of stay during our in-person consultation. This is part of our intake process where we get to know more about your history of fentanyl use and health condition.
So how long does it take to detox off of fentanyl? Here’s our average fentanyl withdrawal timeline to give you an idea:
- Days 1-3: During the start of your detox program, you’ll experience the most intense withdrawal symptoms. This includes cravings, insomnia, sweating, and anxiety, among others. All these symptoms will peak in the first 72 hours of not using the drug.
- Days 4-7: At this point, your physical symptoms from fentanyl withdrawal will start to decrease. However, your psychological symptoms like depression, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings may become more intense.
- Weeks 2-3: On your 2nd to 3rd week of stay, most of your physical symptoms will be resolved or you’ll only experience mild discomfort. Also, your psychological symptoms will be very mild and tolerable.
- Weeks 4+: As your condition continues to progress, you may still encounter bouts of psychological symptoms from time to time. This is where our ongoing support, therapy, and other activities can help. Our goal is to help you develop healthy coping mechanisms to prevent relapse.
Factors Affecting Your Fentanyl Detox Duration
Knowing how to detox safely is our main priority in LA Wellness Home. This is why the exact duration of your stay will vary based on several factors, including the following:
- Intensity of fentanyl use. If you’ve been using fentanyl for a long period, your detox duration will be much longer than those who have only started using the substance lately.
- Polydrug use. We also have to check if you’re misusing fentanyl with other substances at the same time. If so, your detox would be more intensive, thus a longer stay in our residential facility.
- Individual physiology. Each person is unique and so is their response to detox treatment. We have to factor in your metabolism and overall health condition when creating an individualized detox plan for you.
- Co-occurring mental health conditions. We know that addiction is often associated with mental health problems. This is why we perform an extensive diagnostic to identify if you have co-occurring issues that we need to address aside from addiction.
- Support network. Having a strong support system like your family and friends can positively impact your recovery.
Beyond the Fentanyl Detox Process
Therapies and Counseling
We implement various therapy methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and individual counseling during your stay. This way, we can address underlying issues that contribute to your fentanyl addiction. Also, these therapies also help you develop healthy coping mechanisms, manage cravings, and rebuild your life after the program.
Proper Nutrition
At LA Wellness Home, we strongly believe that proper nutrition is often an overlooked yet important part of addiction recovery. This is why we have an in-house chef preparing the meals for all our clients. We ensure that everyone who comes to us for help has delicious and nourishing meals to support their recovery.
Relapse Prevention
The goal of our detox facility is not just to help you quit fentanyl, but also for you to have long-term sobriety. This is why our team creates a comprehensive discharge and relapse prevention plan that matches your lifestyle and activities.
Safe and Positive Environment
In our inpatient facility, we promote a safe and positive environment where everyone will have a space to recover. It’s important that our clients are far from their triggers, so they can focus on recovering from fentanyl addiction.
Rest assured that our staff and clinical team are compassionate and respectful in their approach. We know that many people with addiction are often mistreated due to the stigma of their condition. But with us, we see you as a person with a treatable disease – not a criminal.
Aftercare support
We also provide you with aftercare support through our alumni program and various resources. This way, you’ll get help in maintaining your sobriety once you integrate back into your normal life.
We can also refer you to a trusted outpatient facility to continue your recovery journey after our detox program. This way, you’ll get the support without missing your school, work, or home life.
Healthy Coping Mechanisms
To successfully and sustainably quit fentanyl abuse, we help you develop positive coping mechanisms. This way, you can direct your energy into more productive activities instead of going back to drug abuse.
In our facility, we encourage our clients to engage in daily exercise to enhance their mood naturally. We also teach meditation and healthy hobbies that can further boost their brain’s dopamine production without the need for substance use.
Overall, these healthy coping mechanisms help rewire your mind to find satisfaction in productive activities instead of seeking drugs.
Get your life back from addiction with the help of LA Wellness Home
At LA Wellness Home, we know that every person struggling with fentanyl addiction has unique challenges to overcome. This is why we provide an individualized treatment plan designed to help them eliminate the substance from their system and achieve long-lasting recovery.
Aside from that, we ensure that you’ll experience utmost comfort when you decide to stay with us for recovery. Our luxurious facilities and structured activities will boost your overall well-being, preparing you to re-integrate into your normal life.
So if you’re ready to turn your life around and quit fentanyl abuse, call us 24/7, and our specialist will be there to help. It doesn’t matter how deep you are into substance use. Help is available and recovery is always possible.
