Fentanyl withdrawal is a serious medical condition that occurs when someone is recovering from fentanyl addiction. Because of its unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects, fentanyl withdrawal should always be supervised by a qualified addiction specialist. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include sleep problems, muscle pain, and depression, to name a few. Fortunately, there are various ways to manage and treat fentanyl withdrawal. Avenues Recovery provides an in-depth overview of the fentanyl withdrawal timeline, potential risks, and treatment options.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid created in 1960 by a pharmaceutical company as an anesthetic. A Schedule II controlled substance, fentanyl is 50-100 times more powerful than morphine and is one of the most dangerous prescription drugs. It is administered in different forms, such as a fentanyl patch, a nasal spray, lozenges, and a shot. It is used to treat patients with severe pain by boosting dopamine levels in the brain and causing a euphoric high.
The affordable street cost of fentanyl aids today’s raging opioid epidemic. Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, are now the most reported substances found in drug overdoses in the USA and are a factor in more than half of overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, the opioid epidemic was responsible for more than 224 deaths a day in America. While the CDC reported a 14% decrease in drug overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024, from the more than 107,000 fatal overdoses in 2023, 70% were attributed to opioids, primarily fentanyl.
The Effects of Using Fentanyl
Fentanyl suppresses the central nervous system, which turns off the sensation of pain. The body gets used to this new “normal” and becomes reliant on fentanyl to feel balanced. While taking the drug, a person will experience the physical and mental effects of this substance.
Side effects of fentanyl use include:
- Lowered body temperature
- Depressed heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate
- Feeling relaxed, drowsy, and mellow
- Constipation
- Unconsciousness
- Sedation
- Extreme happiness
Heavy or prolonged use of fentanyl can lead to opioid dependence.
What Does Fentanyl Withdrawal Look Like?
Like many drugs, addiction withdrawal symptoms are common when one stops taking fentanyl. When beginning the process of recovery from fentanyl addiction, the substance must first be completely removed from the body through the process of detoxification. While detoxing, fentanyl withdrawal symptoms will likely appear and can be very severe.
Physical Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
As per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Pain in the muscles and bones
- Higher body temperature
- Sleep problems
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Cold flashes with goosebumps
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Severe cravings
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Abdominal cramps
- Increased blood rate
- Increased blood pressure (hypertension)
Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms of Fentanyl
Fentanyl withdrawal also manifests itself emotionally. Emotional fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Mood swings
Since fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and difficult, it is important to receive proper support and care when detoxing, such as in the Avenues drug detox center. Tapering off the drug should be done slowly and not cold turkey.
Can You Die From Fentanyl Withdrawal?
Fentanyl withdrawal is not typically fatal, but it poses major risks. Besides the direct symptoms, some of the effects of withdrawal from fentanyl can lead to other risks, including:
- Dehydration from the vomiting and diarrhea symptoms.
- Aspiration from inhaling vomit into the airway accidentally or choking on vomit.
- Depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
- Insomnia, which can cause relapse.
- Cravings, which can trigger a relapse, and increase the risk of overdose from a smaller quantity, since the body is no longer tolerant of the drug.
How Long Does Fentanyl Withdrawal Last?
Fentanyl withdrawal is a process that can last up to a few months.
How long do fentanyl withdrawal symptoms last? Withdrawal symptoms appear as early as six hours after the last dose and can last for a few months. Avenues Recovery divides the fentanyl withdrawal symptoms timeline into three stages (see table below).
|
Stage of Withdrawal |
Timeline |
Types of Symptoms |
|
Stage 1 |
6-24 hours from the last dose |
Common symptoms at this stage include anxiety, muscle pain, insomnia, sweating, and a runny nose. |
|
Stage 2 |
Days 3-5 |
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms typically peak at this stage until day 5, when the body adjusts to the lack of fentanyl. The second stage includes symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. |
|
Stage 3 |
From 1 week until a few months after |
This is when the emotional withdrawal symptoms start and can affect a person for a few months. These symptoms include cravings, depression, and anxiety. |
Fentanyl Patch Withdrawal
A fentanyl patch releases the drug through the skin continuously for 72 hours. When the patch is removed, it can take about a day for the fentanyl to be fully processed in the body. Once removed, it remains active for about 17 hours in the body. Fentanyl patch withdrawal typically begins about a day after removal. The patch also raises tolerance, therefore, withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl patches can be worse than other forms of fentanyl. Fentanyl detox from a patch will differ from other forms.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Treatment
There are various ways to treat and manage withdrawal from fentanyl. Firstly, it is crucial to seek professional help when withdrawing from fentanyl, as experienced addiction experts provide individualized and supervised treatment. Let’s explore various fentanyl withdrawal treatment options, including Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), inpatient rehab, and therapy.
Tapering off Fentanyl
Tapering is the process of gradually ingesting smaller doses of a drug until your body can fully stop taking it. This process is used to keep withdrawal symptoms manageable and prevent the body from going into shock. Tapering off fentanyl should be supervised by a doctor or a professional for optimal results.
Fentanyl Taper Schedule
A doctor or professional will set a schedule for tapering off the drug based on the individual and the form of fentanyl that was used. Factors such as age, sex, length of addiction, and whether other substances are present are taken into consideration as well. A common method of tapering is to replace fentanyl with a slow-acting opioid drug until it can be stopped fully.
MAT Options for Fentanyl Withdrawal
The FDA approves the following medications for treating opioid use disorder:
- Methadone: A long-acting opioid, methadone prevents withdrawal symptoms by activating the same receptors in the brain as other opioids, but at a steadier and safer pace.
- Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine attaches to opioid receptors but activates them less strongly than fentanyl. Often combined with naloxone, such as in Suboxone, to prevent misuse, buprenorphine reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- Naltrexone: An opioid antagonist, naltrexone is an approved drug that blocks the physical symptoms of withdrawal but can only be used after detox.
Optimal Settings for Fentanyl Withdrawal Treatment
Withdrawal treatment for fentanyl can be administered in a variety of settings. Choose the best option for you:
Inpatient Treatment for Fentanyl Withdrawal
Staying at an inpatient facility helps clients manage fentanyl withdrawal symptoms while receiving support for their addiction. A rehab facility like Avenues Recovery provides medical oversight, counseling, and evaluations to help a person recover. For patients recovering from multi-drug abuse, it is especially important to receive proper treatment and avoid complications. Inpatient treatment will help with the short-term physical symptoms of withdrawal as well as address the long-term psychological impact.
Outpatient Treatment for Fentanyl Withdrawal
For patients who can manage their fentanyl withdrawal symptoms at home, there are outpatient treatment centers that provide services such as medication-assisted therapy for OUD, counseling, and a community for recovery. This is an option for patients who require a lower level of care and still want to maintain their routine.
Therapy for Fentanyl Addiction and Withdrawal
Therapy can aid in recovery from fentanyl addiction and help a patient through withdrawal symptoms. The right therapy depends on an individual’s background, needs, and circumstances.
Some commonly used therapies for withdrawing from fentanyl are:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Medication management
- Case management
- Skills training
- Mindfulness intervention
- Peer support
Counseling Modalities Used to Aid Fentanyl Withdrawal
Counseling provides patients with tools and healthy life skills, and is used alongside medications in treating addiction.
Some common forms of therapy for addiction treatment are:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT is used to modify the thinking and behavior patterns that lead to clients’ drug use.
- Contingency management: Used in both outpatient and inpatient treatment, contingency management focuses on positive reinforcement to encourage sobriety. Clients receive rewards like vouchers and privileges based on clean drug tests and attaining recovery goals.
- Motivational interviewing: Motivational interviewing addresses a patient’s resistance to change and helps motivate them to quit harmful addictive behaviors by harnessing their inner drive for recovery.
Follow the Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline Safely at Avenues Recovery
Are you or a loved one suffering from fentanyl addiction? Avenues Recovery is here to help you recover safely by following the fentanyl withdrawal timeline in a medically supervised setting. Our supportive specialists will help you withdraw comfortably from fentanyl, easing distressing symptoms.
Although addiction is a lifelong battle, with proper support and therapy, recovery is possible. The right treatment can lead a patient on a path of physical and mental well-being and give him or her renewed freedom in sober living. At Avenues Recovery, we offer a variety of treatment programs and resources to help get you back on track. Reach out to us today for advice on fentanyl withdrawal or any of our rehab services.