Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms rarely pose a risk of long-term health damage, but they can cause significant short-term distress.
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What Causes Fentanyl Withdrawal?
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid, which is a class of drugs that also includes heroin, morphine, and the active ingredients in many prescription painkillers.
When a person takes fentanyl, the drug interacts with receptors in their central nervous system (CNS) that are associated with dopamine and certain other neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals.
Dopamine is involved with functions such as mood, pleasure, and motivation, which is why fentanyl and other opioids cause euphoric feelings and a strong desire to use the drugs again.
If a person continues to use fentanyl, their body will start to rely on the drug to maintain adequate levels of dopamine and some other chemicals. This is the point at which a person’s drug use can cross the line into a compulsion, or an addiction.
When someone who has become dependent on fentanyl abruptly stops using it, the sudden absence of the drug will throw their system into a temporary state of imbalance.
As their body works to re-establish internal equilibrium, the abnormal neurotransmitter levels can trigger painful withdrawal symptoms.
Though fentanyl addiction and withdrawal are commonly associated with recreational drug use, people who take fentanyl and other opioids on a prescription basis are also at risk of dependence.
Regardless of how it occurs, developing opioid use disorder (which is the clinical term for fentanyl addiction) means that a person will likely experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using the drug.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Fentanyl withdrawal is an unpleasant experience that can involve both physical discomfort and emotional distress.
Many fentanyl withdrawal symptoms are similar to what you might experience during an extremely bad case of the flu. These physical symptoms include:
- Headache
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Fever and chills
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Agitation and restlessness
- Insomnia
The psychological impact of fentanyl withdrawal often includes symptoms such as:
- Powerful urges to use opioids
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Mood swings
Not everyone will develop all of the symptoms listed here, and their severity can also vary considerably from one person to the next. Factors that can influence what a person does (and doesn’t) experience during fentanyl withdrawal include:
- Their age, weight, gender, and metabolism
- How long they’ve been using fentanyl
- The usual amount and frequency of their fentanyl use
- If they’ve also been using other addictive drugs
- If they’ve been through withdrawal before
- If they have any significant medical or mental health concerns
Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline
The factors that can affect the type and intensity of a person’s fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can also influence when they occur and how long they last. In general though, the process often occurs in three stages or phases:
- The first symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal often occur within six to 12 hours after a person’s last dose. These initial symptoms often include generalized achiness, increased perspiration, runny nose, and anxiety.
- Once fentanyl withdrawal symptoms begin, they will usually increase in severity over the next 48-72 hours (two to three days). Abdominal cramping, nausea, and racing heart rate often become most intense during this period.
- Symptoms typically peak by the end of the third day. After they have reached their strongest point, they then begin to slowly dissipate. For some people, this process takes about three days, while for others it can take a week or longer.
In most cases, the entire withdrawal process takes about seven to ten days. But for those who go through post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), some fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can persist for several months or even years.
Treatment for Fentanyl Withdrawal
If you have been taking fentanyl on a prescription basis for a legitimate medical concern, your doctor will likely set up a tapering schedule when it’s time for you to stop using the drug. Gradually reducing your dosage level over time will allow your body to adapt to diminished amounts of fentanyl, which can minimize or eliminate many withdrawal symptoms.
If you’ve become addicted to fentanyl due to recreational drug use or attempts to illicitly self-medicate, you may benefit from detox and/or medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- Detox, which is short for detoxification, is a short-term program to help people get through withdrawal safely and with as little discomfort as possible. When you’re in detox, you will be in a closely supervised environment under the care of professionals who may provide both medical and therapeutic support as needed.
- MAT is an evidence-based approach that combines prescription medication with therapy. The medications that are approved for use in MAT programs can suppress cravings and other fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, which makes it easier for people to stop using the drug. The therapeutic component helps patients develop the skills they will need to successfully navigate the challenges of recovery.
What Happens After Fentanyl Withdrawal?
If you’ve become addicted to fentanyl, completing withdrawal can be a significant step toward the healthier future you deserve. But if you don’t take appropriate action after completing withdrawal, you may soon find yourself on the verge of relapse.
Prescription medications can ease the intensity of fentanyl withdrawal, but they can’t address the behavioral, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. This is why MAT programs also include therapy. Even if you don’t take part in MAT, therapy can still be essential.
During post-detox therapy sessions, you can:
- Gain vital insights about the disease of addiction and the recovery process
- Identify the issues that contributed to your fentanyl use or could trigger a relapse
- Develop strategies for responding to these triggers in a healthy manner, without resorting to fentanyl use
- Replace self-defeating though and behavior patterns with a healthier way of viewing yourself and the world around you
- Share support with others who are working toward a similar goal
- Get help for any co-occurring mental health concerns
- Learn about the community-based resources that can support you continued recovery after you transition out of treatment.
Find Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction in Atlanta
Valor Behavioral Health offers age-appropriate outpatient care for adults and adolescents who have developed addictions to fentanyl and other substances. We also provide dual diagnosis services for clients who have anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.
Treatment options at our rehab in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), an outpatient program (OP), and a virtual (online) program.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
