Deciding to face your addiction head-on and committing to a recovery program is the first step toward achieving sustained health and wellness.
The damage a fentanyl addiction can inflict on your body and mind is devastating on a number of levels. It can cause significant harm to your heart, lungs and brain, and that’s not even counting the multitude of ways it destroys your emotional functioning and social connectivity.
If you can get to the point where you’re acknowledging a problem exists, then you’ve overcome one of the hardest parts in the recovery process.
Why? Admitting that a problem exists is an essential component to both addressing your addiction and safely detoxing off the substance in a safe and stable environment.
What Is Fentanyl Withdrawal Like?
If you’re physically addicted to fentanyl, you’ll experience a number of withdrawal symptoms when you stop using for an extended period of time.
Once you’ve developed a physical dependence, your body has grown so accustomed to repeatedly ingesting fentanyl that it begins to require the drug just to feel normal.
Fentanyl withdrawal itself is often compared to a serious case of the flu. Symptoms tend to hit their peak 48 to 72 hours after your last use and, in most cases, can last five to 10 days.
When beginning your recovery journey, it’s important to remember that the first week of withdrawal will be the worst.
The duration and intensity of withdrawal symptoms will vary based on the:
- Amount of fentanyl you typically ingest
- Length of time you were addicted to the substance
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the more common symptoms associated with fentanyl withdrawal can include:
- Nausea and Vomiting
While supremely unpleasant and completely distressing, vomiting and nausea are very normal aspects that your body will go through during fentanyl withdrawal.
This type of physical pain and apprehension can make you feel extremely uncomfortable during the early hours of the recovery process, but it’s essential to rid your body of toxins and allow yourself to regain a level of homeostasis that’s conducive to long-term sobriety.
- Fever
A fever is one way your body works to fight off illnesses and infections, but when you’re dealing with fentanyl withdrawal, your fever isn’t actively fighting off an infection. For this reason, taking steps to control it is perfectly appropriate. At this point, your body is simply trying to reset itself and adjust to life without an extremely strong narcotic in its system.
- Stomach Cramps and Diarrhea
Experiencing stomach cramps and diarrhea is common as your body adjusts during withdrawal. The symptoms can be accompanied by significant stomach pain that’s caused by spasms in the digestive system.
When you’re addicted to fentanyl, it’s common to develop chronic constipation. As your body attempts to regain balance, stomach cramps and diarrhea are common symptoms.
- Depression and Mood Instability
Experiencing depression, anxiety and other mood disorders is a normal part of fentanyl withdrawal. These types of mood changes are common for individuals who use fentanyl to avoid their feelings related to past traumas. That’s why it’s essential to have emotional support when you’re going through fentanyl withdrawal and throughout the entire recovery process.
- Excessive Sweating
As you go through fentanyl withdrawal, excessive sweating is extremely common. As with other physical withdrawal symptoms, this response is part of your body bringing itself back into balance as it detoxifies and moves toward a state of health and wellness.
What to Expect from Fentanyl Withdrawal During the Detox Process
While it’s possible to detox at home, the dangers of experiencing medical complications and relapse are very serious and very real.
That’s why finding a clinically qualified rehabilitation facility to guide you through the detox process helps ensure you remain safe throughout the course of withdrawal and protected from the dangers of relapse and potential overdose.
The realities of living with a fentanyl addiction mean your body has become so accustomed to ingesting high levels of an extremely dangerous narcotic that it needs to be weaned slowly in a medically appropriate manner.
When detoxing under the supervision of trained clinical addiction professionals, you’re much more likely to avoid medical complications; overcome your addiction; and begin to lead a sober, healthy life.
Find Life-Changing, Holistic Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Ranch Creek Recovery
You were meant for so much more than where your fentanyl addiction has landed you. Your addiction can stop forever, and you can regain a sober, fulfilling life. It starts at Ranch Creek Recovery, where one of the most experienced and acclaimed addiction treatment teams in the country helps individuals quit all types of drugs.
We address addiction recovery and relapse prevention through our non-12-step, individualized, holistic addiction treatment program.
Our team of treatment experts will work one-on-one with you to create a custom treatment and recovery plan that will help you feel confident and ready to enter your new, sober life.
Learn more about our life-changing, holistic opioid addiction treatment program, or contact us today to get your questions answered.
