You never meant to try fentanyl. While working through med school, you relied on Adderall to get through the long nights studying. But one day, your friend said he had to switch suppliers and couldn’t get the exact type you always took. He reassured you that the new pills would have the same effects – and they didn’t. Instead, they made you feel relaxed. To your surprise, you liked that feeling better, and your drive for completing med school never faltered.
Your friend found out the pills he has were laced with fentanyl, and despite the risks, you went ahead and kept using it. It made it easy to drift off to sleep after cramming about the circulatory system and neurology. But you run out of pills while your friend is on vacation, with no way to find more. After a few hours, the aches set in, and your stomach cramping. As an aspiring doctor, you know you are going through fentanyl withdrawal. But how long will this last?
In 2020, Pinellas County ranked in the top five Florida counties for fentanyl-associated deaths, with over 20 deaths per 100,000 residents. At Tranquil Shores, we have been at the forefront of the opioid epidemic, providing holistic treatment options for people with all types of career backgrounds – executives, athletes, musicians, and military. Our blog today will be discussing fentanyl withdrawal, and how to safely stop using it.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine. While prescription fentanyl is regulated and exists in medical settings, street fentanyl is unregulated and causes many overdose deaths. It is typically snorted, smoked, or taken orally in pill form. When fentanyl enters the body, it attaches to opioid receptors in the brain. This releases a “rush” of euphoria, followed by drowsiness. The effects are similar to heroin as they are both opioids, but fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin.
When the body becomes used to having fentanyl in the system, it takes more to achieve the same effects. As the dose increases, the brain begins to need the substance in order to function. When fentanyl is not present, the brain goes haywire attempting to restore balance. This causes the body to go into withdrawal, and symptoms can appear in as little as 6 hours after the last dose was taken. The symptoms can last days, with the peak being between 2-3 days after the last use.
Symptoms of Withdrawal
Fentanyl withdrawal has similar symptoms to other opioid withdrawals. These can include:
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Joint and muscle pain
- Runny nose
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
While these symptoms range in severity, most are not life-threatening. However, thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming others should be taken seriously and considered a medical emergency. Seek medical help if these thoughts occur.
What Factors Affect the Timeline
There are some factors that can affect how quickly or slowly the fentanyl withdrawal timeline is. Length of use plays a role in how quickly withdrawal will appear, as the longer someone has been using, the sooner symptoms will begin. Overall physical health can also affect how severe and how soon withdrawal symptoms begin. While fentanyl use will weaken the immune system, if the person was previously in good health and maintained a healthy weight, they may experience withdrawal symptoms less severely.
The Stages of Fentanyl Withdrawal
The first stage of withdrawal is typically mild, and begins 4-6 hours after the last use of fentanyl. Chills, aches and pains, and yawning are the most prominent symptoms during this time. Cravings for fentanyl will begin and are usually not intense in this stage.
As withdrawal from fentanyl continues, the symptoms become more intense. Peaking around the 24-hour mark, gastrointestinal troubles such as vomiting and constipation become uncomfortable. Joint and bone pain are more severe. Cravings are more intense as the person wants to end the pain and unpleasantries. This stage lasts between 36 and 48 hours after the last use.
After 48 hours, symptoms begin to dissipate and become more tolerable again. They can still hang around up to 7 days after the last use, with some people still experiencing withdrawal even 10-12 days later. Cravings will still exist in this stage, and finding a support group can help ensure you stay on the path of avoiding fentanyl.
Cold Turkey vs. Weaning
Stopping fentanyl use is a daunting task, but a great decision you can make for yourself. But how do you go about doing so? Cold turkey is a method that some people choose, but it has its drawbacks and poses potential health risks. It refers to stopping use all at once, no matter how much fentanyl you were taking. For those who are using fentanyl frequently, stopping cold turkey will send the brain into overdrive. The physical and mental health risks associated with quitting cold turkey make this method not one to recommend without medical supervision.
Weaning is where you decrease fentanyl use over time, lessening the amount given over days or weeks. This helps lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms and allows the brain to smoothly adjust to fentanyl’s absence. It is still recommended to do this method under medical supervision, as they can monitor and control each dose administered.
Why Fentanyl Withdrawals Occur
As stated above, fentanyl works within the brain, attaching to opioid receptors. These receptors control responses in the body such as pain and pleasure. However, when opioids such as fentanyl attach to these receptors, chemical changes between neurons are affected. Eventually, the receptors need more fentanyl to create the same reaction, as they have become desensitized to it. When fentanyl is not present, the chemical change in the neurons becomes confused, and the body signals for fentanyl through withdrawal symptoms.
Risks of Overdose
Anyone showing signs of fentanyl addiction is at risk for an overdose. However, those who have completed withdrawal and return to use are more likely to experience a fentanyl overdose. Many believe they can go back to using the same amount of fentanyl they used before detoxing. The brain and body are now free of fentanyl, and are no longer used to such a high dose. This increases the risk of an overdose exponentially.
How Is Fentanyl Withdrawal Different From Other Opioids?
Fentanyl withdrawal is very similar to other opioids as they share similar makeups. With the potency of fentanyl being so much stronger than morphine and heroin, the withdrawal symptoms can be more severe and last longer.
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
Physical withdrawal symptoms of fentanyl include yawning, runny nose and eyes, chills, tremors, muscle aches, joint pain, and drowsiness. Vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are also common along with stomach cramping.
Mental Withdrawal Symptoms
Mental withdrawal symptoms of fentanyl include anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression, and loneliness. Those who use fentanyl have often alienated friends and family members, which can add to the mental symptoms. Feelings of isolation and anguish can also occur. Insomnia is also a common withdrawal symptom and can contribute to poor mental health due to lack of sleep.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Medications
When entering detox, medications are often used to help manage fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. These can include buprenorphine, methadone, or codeine phosphate. Medical professionals will monitor withdrawal symptoms and grade the severity to determine what treatment method will be best. Each person is different, and not everyone seeking treatment will need medication for withdrawal management.
Get Treatment for Fentanyl Withdrawals in Pinellas County
No one wants to experience fentanyl withdrawals, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Finding a fentanyl addiction treatment center can make all the difference, and keep you safe and healthy while you go through this difficult time. Therapy will be an integral part of the detox process and help you begin to find the reasons behind your addiction. Once fentanyl withdrawals are over, you will be ready to rediscover yourself and build a healthier life.
If you or someone you love is managing a fentanyl use disorder, it’s not too late to seek help. Tranquil Shores is located on a secluded beach with housing accommodations for our 30, 60, and 90-day programs. Our dedicated staff will help you through withdrawal and put you on the path to recovery. Call us today at 727-391-7001 to learn more about our program offerings.
FAQs About Withdrawals From Fentanyl
How strong is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
