Illicit fentanyl is one of the leading causes of drug overdoses in the United States. Quitting fentanyl is difficult under any circumstances, though, due to the extreme withdrawal symptoms it causes. This drug is highly addictive and can be dangerous when taken in high doses. There is also a significant amount of illegal fentanyl produced and sold in the United States. Doctors use it to treat pain that doesn’t respond to milder pain killers.
Taking any opioid for more than a couple of weeks can lead to addiction. Some doctors are hesitant to prescribe opioids for long-term pain management because of the risk of addiction. When deaths have occurred from fentanyl withdrawal, they have almost always been in people who were alone at the time. Because of fentanyl’s ultra-high potency and its short half-life, withdrawal from this opioid can be especially harsh, and people who try to detox on their own might not succeed.
Follow all instructions about how to manage your withdrawal symptoms. Especially follow your healthcare professional's instructions about how and when to take medicines during the taper. If you've taken opioid medicine for more than 7 to 10 days, it's likely you need to stop soon — and stop slowly — to keep from having symptoms of withdrawal.
Some opioids, like heroin, are relatively short-acting, with a half-life of about 8 minutes, and the withdrawal symptoms can start within minutes of missing a dose the body has learned to expect. Oxycodone is longer-lasting, with a half-life of around 5 hours, and the longest-acting opioid is methadone, with a half-life of 23 hours. The timeline for when withdrawal symptoms start depends on the half-life of the drug, which refers to how quickly the drug is metabolized by the body. Withdrawal symptoms for drugs with a short half-life can start within hours of the last use of the substance.
If you need additional support or have any questions about addiction treatment, contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) at . Our compassionate admissions navigators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you have and discuss treatment options that meet your needs. Quitting fentanyl or any opioid can be very difficult to do on your own, and many people who are opioid-dependent benefit from the support of professionals to xanax vs ambien safely quit misusing fentanyl or other opioids. Over time, you can become dependent on opioids like fentanyl to give you a sense of well-being. The drive to get more of the drug is the beginning of addiction. Endorphins mute the sensation of pain, which is why opioids are useful as prescription painkillers.
If you suddenly take a higher dose of opioids, you're at an increased risk of overdose. How long what is similar to xanax but over the counter? it takes to taper off your medicine depends on the type and dose of the opioid you've been taking and how long you've been taking it. You may need weeks, months or even longer to slowly and safely lower your dose and stop taking your opioid medicine.
They are led by other people who have been dependent on addictive substances. These groups can be a powerful support network for those who find that they aren't able to quit using opioids despite their best efforts. Your healthcare professional may recommend combining your taper with counseling from an alcohol and aetna momentum program drug counselor. Counseling can help you learn ways to cope with stress, identify early warning signs of relapse and keep you from taking opioids. Your healthcare professional may recommend continued counseling after you've completed your opioid taper.
Medical detox involves the use of medications and medical supervision to safely withdraw from fentanyl or other substance use. An inpatient detox program forms the first part of a substance addiction treatment program and is a natural transition to counseling, which forms a crucial part of the overall treatment plan. You may be eager to reach your goal, but your body needs time to adjust to lower levels of opioids, and then to none at all. A step-by-step plan to lower how much opioid medicine you take will help this process go smoothly. This slow tapering also helps ease the discomfort you may feel as you stop taking opioids. During this time, you can practice new skills to manage pain and other long-term symptoms too.
