Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline

The whole US, including Florida, is in an ongoing fentanyl crisis. The number of fentanyl users is increasing, prompting numerous actions to combat this epidemic. Those who recognize they need help to overcome their fentanyl addiction tend to seek professional recovery programs like Bright Futures Treatment. As they prepare to enter rehab, numerous questions arise in their minds. One of the typical questions is what are fentanyl withdrawal symptoms and timeline. Get basic information on this topic in the following text, and if you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

What is Fentanyl Withdrawal?

Fentanyl withdrawal is what happens to your body when you quit using fentanyl. Once you decide to stop consuming fentanyl, various bodily and mental changes can take place. While they’re typically not life-threatening, they can be highly uncomfortable and painful. Furthermore, if you decide to quit alone, without professional help, on top of discomfort, you’re risking consequences like relapse and accidental overdose. This is why it’s recommendable to seek fentanyl addiction treatment in Boynton Beach FL, and ensure none of these negative consequences take place.

Fentanyl withdrawal can also be seen as a process that will take time. Different stages of withdrawal bring about various symptoms, requiring more or less support. The timeline itself will depend on numerous factors, including the stage of addiction, the time when fentanyl was consumed for the last time, the state of your body, your physical and mental health, and so on. The existence of these factors is what makes it difficult to be exact about fentanyl withdrawal symptoms and timeline. Still, general assessments about both fentanyl withdrawal symptoms and the withdrawal timeline can be made based on expert experience and available research data.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Without the substance, your body will react, and withdrawal symptoms are unavoidable. Therefore, even within a facility and a well-thought-out rehab, you will still experience a number of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the stage of withdrawal, and we can distinguish early symptoms, peak withdrawal symptoms, and long-term control symptoms.

Early Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal

• Anxiety and restlessness
• Sweating and chills
• Runny nose and watery eyes
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Yawning and excessive fatigue
• Insomnia and difficulty sleeping

Peak Withdrawal Symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea and stomach cramps
• Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
• Severe body aches
• Intense drug cravings
• Depression and mood swings

Long-Term Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)

• Ongoing anxiety and depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sudden mood swings
• Lingering physical pain

Assessing the Severity of Withdrawal

For assessing the severity of withdrawal symptoms and ensuring a corresponding reaction, professionals often use the short opiate withdrawal scale (SOWS) that contains the ten most frequently occurring with all symptoms. Those ten symptoms are:

• Feeling sick
• Stomach cramps
• Muscle spasms or twitching
• Feeling cold
• Heart pounding
• Muscular tension
• Aches and pains
• Yawning
• Runny/watery eyes
• Difficulty sleeping

Patients rate these symptoms as none, mild, moderate, or severe (or on a numerical scale of 0-3). The final score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores suggesting more severe opioid withdrawal symptoms. These are the meanings of the score and suggested withdrawal management based on it:

• 0-10: Mild withdrawal; requires symptomatic medication only.
• 10-20: Moderate withdrawal; requires symptomatic or opioid medication.
• 20-30: Severe withdrawal; requires opioid medication.

With moderate withdrawal, the patient should drink at least 2 to 3 L of water daily to replace fluids lost through perspiration and diarrhea. We also advise taking vitamin B and vitamin C supplements, as well as symptomatic treatment. For moderate and severe withdrawal, in addition to everything used to treat mild withdrawal, clonidine or opioid medications, such as buprenorphine, methadone, or codeine phosphate, should be implemented. The safest way to manage withdrawal is under professional supervision, such as through a partial hospitalization in Boynton Beach, where medical support and structured care can help individuals navigate withdrawal more comfortably and safely.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline

As with any substance withdrawal timeline, there are several factors contributing to the length of withdrawal and the intensity of symptoms. Here are several factors to keep in mind:

• Factors related to use: the extent of fentanyl use, the dose taken, and the frequency with which it was used. Heavier use can prolong the timeline and intensify symptoms.
• Factors related to your organism: your age, gender, metabolic rate, and weight. A slower metabolic rate, more fat, and older age can slow down the cleansing process.
• Factors related to your health: The existence of certain medical conditions or co-occurring mental health issues can make withdrawal more complex, slow it down, and prolong the timeline.

Fentanyl belongs to immediate-release formulations, so the onset of withdrawal symptoms starts 8 to 24 hours after the last use. This is when early symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal start occurring. At this stage, you might need supplements, water, and some medications to address symptoms only. Withdrawal symptoms peak in intensity 36 to 72 hours after the last dose, and they can typically continue for 7 to 10 days, but for some, they last a few weeks. In this phase of withdrawal, you can expect peak withdrawal symptoms, and for those that used to be mild to intensify. At this stage, you need more support, ideally additional medications for managing withdrawal. This is also the most dangerous stage of withdrawal, as you are more likely to relapse if you’re going through withdrawal alone.

Fentanyl Detox Treatment

Detox starts with ceasing fentanyl use, and this is when withdrawal symptoms start occurring. Withdrawal symptoms, although mostly flu-like, can be very uncomfortable.

Without professional help, it can easily happen that you slip back into using it, so trying to do a detox alone brings the risk of relapse. Furthermore, as it is likely you will be emotionally charged and feel strong cravings, you might go overboard when using fentanyl to tame withdrawal symptoms. When this occurs, an accidental overdose is not uncommon. Those who try managing their withdrawal by opting for fentanyl mixed with xylazine are putting themselves in even more danger.

Therefore, choosing professional help is essential for safely managing withdrawal and beginning recovery with confidence. At Bright Futures Treatment Center, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) plays an important role in the detox process. Our clinical team will assess your symptoms and introduce medications that are proven to reduce discomfort and cravings, especially in cases involving substances like fentanyl. Your care team will monitor your progress around the clock, adjusting your medication plan as needed to ensure stability and safety. This personalized support helps minimize the physical and emotional strain of withdrawal, making the early stages of recovery more manageable.

In addition to medical care, you’ll also receive emotional support and guidance that prepares you for the next phase of fentanyl treatment. MAT detox not only supports your body, but it also helps set a strong mental and emotional foundation for lasting sobriety.

Long-term Recovery

While detox is resolving acute symptoms that start with putting a stop to fentanyl use, this, on its own, does not resolve issues of dependency and addiction long-term. Someone struggling with fentanyl use will require long-term support. But also, continuous work on developing healthy coping mechanisms, relapse prevention strategies, and the mindset that will keep them away from using again.

Treatments following detox rely on psychotherapeutic approaches that help you analyze your patterns of thinking and beliefs that have led you to substance use. Furthermore, a therapist would work with you on reframing those thoughts and beliefs so they result in adaptive behavior and lead you to a fulfilled life. Even after your fentanyl rehab is done and you go back to your environment, the battle doesn’t end. Addiction cannot be cured, but it can be managed. If you struggle with fentanyl use, you will be putting in an effort to tame your cravings and not lean into substance use when faced with stressors and other life challenges.

On this road, having support is the key. Ideally, your friends and family should support you, but for a recovery, it’s equally important to be supported and accepted by the local community. The entire society should be involved in assisting those who are struggling with substance use to overcome it, particularly considering the impact of fentanyl on society, the economy, and the health system.

Finding Help for Fentanyl Withdrawal

Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms and timeline can be overwhelming, especially if you’re going through them without support. Instead of struggling alone, contact Bright Futures Recovery Center professionals for guidance and assistance and set a solid base for your long-term recovery. 

Our specialized rehab programs tailored to your needs, circumstances, and preferences will ensure sustainable and long-term results. We are one phone call away. Call us today.

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9992259/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/