The Dangers of Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, there were 42,687 deaths associated with fentanyl overdose in 12 months up until May 2020. The overdose rates for fentanyl are rising 2.5 times faster compared to heroin overdoses. 

The actual number may not be even close to the projected reality when it comes to fentanyl addiction. A lot of people are suffering because of the lack of knowledge about drug use, which leads to deeper problems in the long run. It is important to learn about the possible effects of a certain drug, especially if doctors may prescribe it to us once we are sick.

In this blog, we will talk about the dangers of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms and what we can do about it.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a kind of prescription opioid that is considered 50 times stronger compared to heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. There are two types of fentanyl, which are pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally made fentanyl, which are both known as synthetic opioids. 

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by licensed doctors to manage and treat severe pain in instances such as after surgery and advanced-stage cancer. On the other hand, illegally made fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs to increase its potency, which makes it more dangerous. This drug is distributed through illicit drug markets because of its effect that is similar to heroin. 

Why Do People Take Fentanyl?

People take fentanyl for several different reasons, but the most common one is for its medical use. Fentanyl used in medicine comes in three different forms, which are lozenges, oral or nasal sprays, and injections. 

Here are some examples of medical-related uses for fentanyl:

• Anaesthesia for people who are undergoing heart surgery or if a person has a heart condition
• Assistance in cancer pain management for people who are already using opioid medication for persistent pain.
• Long-term pain management for people who are struggling with moderate to severe chronic pain. 
• Pain relief for people who have already developed an opioid tolerance and are also already taking analgesics. 

Some people use fentanyl recreationally to experience the euphoric high effects of the drug. It is considered several times stronger than heroin and morphine, which makes it a more desirable choice for those who already have opioid use disorder and are looking for a higher level of high. 

What Does Fentanyl Do?

Similar to other opioid drugs, it binds to the opioid receptors in the brain that affect pain and emotions. This is what causes the feelings of euphoria and relaxation and what relieves pain as well. 

Fentanyl affects people in different ways depending on factors such as overall health and size. Some other factors are:

• the amount of consumption
• whether there are other drugs taken along with fentanyl
• if the person is used to taking opioids

In the long run, the brain will have to catch up and adapt to the presence of fentanyl. As a result, it will make it difficult for the person to feel positive emotions without the presence of the drug.

What is Opioid Dependence?

Opioid dependence is considered a physical reaction to chronic opioid use when once the consistent act of taking the drugs is stopped, withdrawal symptoms will arise. 

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms develop when a person suddenly stops taking fentanyl. Each person has different experiences when it comes to withdrawal, and here are examples of symptoms you can look out for:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Increased heart rate or tachycardia
• Muscle or bone pain
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Increased body temperature
• Sweating 
• Chills  

What Causes Fentanyl Withdrawal?

Fentanyl withdrawal syndrome happens when a person suddenly stops or minimises their regular intake of the drug. As a result, the body reacts to the absence of the drug in the system This happens because the body has developed dependence on the presence of the drug and is not capable of functioning normally without it. 

Without the presence of fentanyl, the brain will have a hard time producing chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins. This will produce uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal while the brain and body try to return to their previous balanced and drug-free state.

What Are the Dangers of Fentanyl Withdrawal?

Similar to other opioid withdrawals, fentanyl withdrawal poses several risks and possibly dangerous complications. The risks and dangers are associated with the common withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, shivering, agitation, sweating, rapid heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable but not usually life-threatening, although some complications can still occur. 

Examples of complications that can arise are: 

• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalance that can cause problems in the function of the heart
• Cardiac arrest

What Happens During Detox?

During detoxification, the number one focus is to manage symptoms of withdrawal safely while making sure that the patient remains physically stable. 

Upon arriving at a facility, the patients will undergo an initial assessment through comprehensive testing by medical professionals to identify the severity of their dependence or addiction, the duration and frequency of use, and any other co-occurring psychological or medical conditions. 

After having a clear picture of the severity of the case, the withdrawal symptoms will then be closely monitored, and the treatment for the symptoms will start. Detoxification is not to be considered as treatment alone but rather the first step in addiction recovery. The main goal in this process is for the patient to go through the process in a safe and supportive environment while dealing with both the physical and psychological aspects of fentanyl addiction. 

Examples of medications used during detoxification include:

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Clonidine
• Anti-nausea medications like ondansetron, muscle relaxants, or sleep aids. 

Fentanyl Detox Timeline

The timeline of fentanyl detox is categorised into three parts, which are the early stage, acute stage, and post-acute stage. 

During the early withdrawal stage at 0-3 days, the symptoms usually manifest within 12 hours after the last dose and reach its peak around 1 to 3 days. Some visible symptoms are anxiety, cravings, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms. 

In the acute withdrawal stage, at 3-7 days, discomfort persists, but the severity of the symptoms is slowly decreasing. Some visible symptoms are psychological distress, gastrointestinal symptoms, and muscle pain.

During the post-acute withdrawal stage, several weeks to months, protracted withdrawal symptoms may be experienced by some patients. Some examples of visible symptoms are lingering anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cravings.

The Benefits of Detox

Detoxification is known as the first step in any addiction recovery journey. It is a foundational step that acts as the middleman toward further treatment and success during the recovery process. It is not considered a standalone treatment, but it prepares patients for more comprehensive rehabilitation programmes.

The transition the patients make from the detoxification programme to treatment will also help patients realise and address the base issues in their addiction and start their path to long-term recovery, sobriety, and emotional wellness. 

Withdrawal Management and Treatment

Because of the potency of fentanyl, it is becoming a public health concern. Withdrawal from fentanyl addiction may be tricky, but with proper management, the possibility of recovery is attainable. The process has several key components, such as medical detoxification, medical-assisted treatment, therapy, and long-term recovery support. 

Can You Recover Completely After Detox?

There are instances where people choose not to go back for follow-up treatment after the detoxification process and return to their daily lives. This is strongly not recommended because people who do not complete the whole program have a much higher risk of relapse. They are probably going to go through the detox process multiple times. 

Where To Get Help for Fentanyl Addiction

If you or your loved one is ready to undergo fentanyl addiction treatment, there are a couple of ways to look for a rehab treatment programme that will suit your needs the most. 

The first recommended step is to seek guidance from a primary care provider to get a clear understanding of your medical history, get a concrete diagnosis, and identify the proper type of care needed.

Once you are aware of what type of treatment programme will suit you the most, you can call you