In America today, fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths. Although prescription fentanyl treats chronic pain, the highly addictive nature of fentanyl caused widespread misuse, addictions, and overdoses. Effective fentanyl detox in California can help combat the problem.
At Design for Change Recovery in Lancaster, CA, we realize the difficulties a person experiences during fentanyl detox. Our treatment approach focuses on ensuring that each client undergoes a detox process that ensures safety and provides positive outcomes. Contact us today if you are searching for a fentanyl detox program that works.
Illicit fentanyl is a significant contributor to the current opioid epidemic in the U.S. Because the drug is potent and relatively cheap, drug dealers use it to lace other drugs such as meth, cocaine, and counterfeit prescription pills.
According to the CDC, as a synthetic opioid, fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. When used with other drugs, the risk of overdose and death increases significantly.
The drug is odorless and colorless, so the only way to detect its presence is with a fentanyl test strip. Because of this, many people who use street drugs unknowingly ingest fentanyl and suffer a fatal overdose.
Recreational use of cocaine, meth, or MDMA increases the risk of unknowingly ingesting this deadly substance. Anyone using street drugs should learn about the dangers of fentanyl and get into a treatment program right away. It’s also a good idea to know what to expect during fentanyl withdrawal and detox.
As a recreational drug, fentanyl produces immediate euphoric effects. But, along with these desired effects, a person will consequently suffer unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects, such as:
Short-term side effects of fentanyl:
Long-term side effects of fentanyl:
The presence of fentanyl in other drugs makes it hard for physicians to determine the exact cause of an overdose. It is critical for them to do so due to the fact that a fentanyl overdose may require more than one dose of Naloxone to reverse the effects.
With a powerful drug like fentanyl, the withdrawal symptoms can be intense. Some of the symptoms show up after an hour or two after the drug has been withheld. Because of this, someone who attempts to detox from fentanyl on their own may find it difficult, if not impossible.
Trying to detox from fentanyl without professional supervision can increase the risk of seizures, stroke, and death.
The most commonly experienced fentanyl detox symptoms are:
Medication-assisted detoxification helps reduce and manage the intensity of symptoms.
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms differ in intensity and duration depending on several factors. Also, each person responds to treatment and therapy differently. Treatment specialists recommend medically-supervised detox to aid in managing the symptoms. Trained addiction specialists will assess each person’s needs and provide medication if needed. In every step of the procedure, they strive to ensure each person’s comfort and safety.
Typically, fentanyl withdrawals appear within 12 to 48 hours after the last dose. The first symptoms are insomnia, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms. After 2 to 4 days, acute withdrawal symptoms begin such as mood swings, nausea, vomiting, and drug cravings. During this interval, medical personnel can provide medications to minimize the person’s discomfort.
Within 5 to 14 days, the physical symptoms diminish, but the psychological symptoms worsen. They may include anxiety, depression, irritability, and insomnia. At this point, the person is most vulnerable to relapsing. Medically-supervised detox programs offer counseling and other services to help patients manage these symptoms and avoid relapse.
Medically-supervised detox is a process that takes into account this unique timeline of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. A customized approach can be adjusted as needed to accommodate each stage in the timeline.
Fentanyl detox often requires the use of medication along with behavioral therapies for a well-rounded approach. The 3 most common medications used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) include:
Each of these medications can be adjusted according to how well the symptoms are controlled and the presence of any side effects.
During fentanyl detox in California, patients are monitored 24/7 to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the process. Medical professionals use a withdrawal scale to measure symptoms and guide the withdrawal management procedure.
Before beginning the detox process, patients are assessed for mental and physical health issues. They are also evaluated for any other drug use and checked for physical issues that could interfere with detox.
Fentanyl detox differs from detoxing from other drugs. When someone quits using fentanyl, withdrawal symptoms tend to take longer to appear because the drug stays in the body longer.
Medically-assisted fentanyl detox can take place in an outpatient or inpatient setting. The type of program a person needs depends on their mental and physical health, the severity of the addiction, and personal and professional commitments.
The primary goal of fentanyl detox is to eliminate cravings and prepare the patient for and transition them into a rehabilitation program. Detox alone will not cure fentanyl addiction. A person must spend time in rehab to gain the skills for avoiding future drug use.
At Design for Change Recovery, our fentanyl detox program helps clients overcome cravings so they can begin their recovery process. We offer a fully-licensed, evidence-based addiction treatment plan that can be customized for each client’s unique situation.
Our approach to treatment is based on healing the whole person to ensure lasting recovery. Our methodologies include:
If you are searching for effective, medically-assisted fentanyl detox in California, reach out to Design for Change Recovery today. Our facility in Lancaster, CA provides a comforting, secure atmosphere with skilled, compassionate staff to help you reach your recovery goals.
Contact Design for Change Recovery today to learn more about how we can help you overcome fentanyl addiction. One of our representatives will be available to talk to you about our program and help you get started on your recovery right away.
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