Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline

Understanding the Duration of Withdrawal from Fentanyl

You have made the important first step by making a commitment to sober living without drug abuse. This should be celebrated, but many people are more nervous about the side effects of their impending withdrawal. It can be quite uncomfortable at first, but it is achievable with a solid understanding of the fentanyl withdrawal timeline.

Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada offers medical detox for those who are going through fentanyl withdrawal. We can help you cope with the most severe withdrawal symptoms under the guidance of our skilled medical staff. Don’t try to manage your withdrawal symptoms on your own. We can help make you more comfortable and start your opioid withdrawal the right way.

Keep reading to better understand recovery from fentanyl, and how our effective programs for recovery can support you at Icarus in Nevada!

The First Day of Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Many people are surprised to learn that withdrawal symptoms can kick in within just a few hours after the last dose of the drug in your system. This means that you need to time your arrival at the medical detox facility as soon as you commit to sobriety.

During your first sober day, you will often face the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. Opioid withdrawal often peaks within the first 24 hours and could last up to two weeks.

Your body is primed to respond to your drug abuse, sparking intense cravings for more fentanyl almost immediately when your last dose wears off.

Get Support and Manage Withdrawals from Fentanyl Effectively

Under the guidance of Icarus Nevada’s medical detox program, you will be safe from breaking your commitment to remain sober. Using more opioids simply will not be an option while you are in our care.

In addition to the cravings, you may have more intense symptoms that impact the whole body. Some of the common fentanyl withdrawal symptoms during the first day include nausea, vomiting, and profuse sweating. You may also experience muscle aches as the drug leaves your system.

If you are interested in medication-assisted treatment options, buprenorphine or other partial opioid agonist drugs can be provided, to lower the intensity of fentanyl withdrawals and maintain as much comfort as possible.

Early Days of Fentanyl Withdrawal

Once you have made it through the first day, you are not quite in the clear yet. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms will still be quite intense during the first two to three days of your treatment. Regular substance abuse conditions your body to have more and more of the drug in its system.

As a result, you may undergo more physical symptoms as you enter into an addiction treatment program. One common issue that plagues many people is insomnia. You may find it difficult to sleep while battling intense cravings.

However, there are also psychological symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal. You may start to experience severe anxiety or agitation without access to your drug abuse. A medical detox may be able to prescribe something to help you combat some of these intense side effects in the short term.

A Fully Supported Medical Detox for Fentanyl

We also have therapists available to help you cope with these feelings, as well as onsite medical professionals at all times.

Be sure to talk over your options for medication-assisted treatment with your medical team to see if any of the available medications could ease some of your symptoms as you move through this first week of withdrawal. You will be able to pull back on them in later weeks as desired.

The First Week of Fentanyl Withdrawal

The good news is that once you make it past day three, you might start to see some improvements in your opioid withdrawal symptoms. While cravings can still be intense, you are starting to get over the worst of the physical symptoms such as muscle aches and nausea or vomiting.

That being said, you may still have some psychological challenges such as increased anxiety.

Insomnia is often present for the duration of your first week without fentanyl in your system. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to treat insomnia pharmacologically without compromising your sobriety. Medications like clonidine can help your withdrawal symptoms but may do very little for physical aches, pains, and insomnia.

The Second Week of Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Your opioid use disorder is starting to get a little bit easier as you round the corner on the two-week mark at a professional medical detox. Icarus Behavioral Health may have been able to find some prescriptions that work to take the edge off your discomfort and may start to cut back on them during this timeframe.

Cravings can still be quite intense for those who quit cold turkey upon entering our fentanyl addiction treatment program. Some people still experience the physical symptoms of their fentanyl withdrawal such as lingering nausea and vomiting. However, you should be on the upswing of these side effects of withdrawal.

At this point in the process, many people are at the height of their psychological challenges. You are starting to learn how to live your life without substance abuse, and it can spark intense anxiety. Therapeutic interventions can help you to cope with these feelings.

The Third and Fourth Weeks of Fentanyl Withdrawal

Your symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal are much less intense by the time you reach this stage. You are out of the woods when it comes to the worst of your symptoms. Still, you may experience some intense cravings when triggers arise that remind you of your substance abuse.

This is completely normal and may not go away any time soon.

You can make the most of this time to think about why you are experiencing cravings: is it a spike in your anxiety? Do you need to avoid pain or uncomfortable feelings? Journal some of your feelings so that you can return to them when you reach the point of participating in individual or group therapy sessions.

This is why an addiction treatment center works with you long-term through inpatient rehab. It allows you to experience safety in the confines of our facility while exploring the underlying causes that contribute to your drug use. Icarus Behavioral Health is available to support you through these early days and set you up for long-term success.

Some people may also still have difficulty sleeping through the night without fentanyl in their system. We may be able to help you with relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises that can improve your ability to sleep.

Ongoing Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms After Sustained Drug Abuse

By the time you make it to your fifth week of sobriety, many of the more immediate symptoms that prompted you to head into a medical detox are gone. Most of the nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and other uncomfortable symptoms from being physically dependent on fentanyl disappear.

Insomnia is a little trickier to correct, but even that may improve in weeks five through eight. It is at this point that many people start to sleep through the night again, especially as they get treatment for increased anxiety which often keeps people up at night.

Keep in mind that one of the withdrawal symptoms will likely be with you for a while: your cravings. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes a variety of post-acute withdrawal symptoms, of which cravings tops the list.

The Lingering Effects of Fentanyl Abuse

While the physical symptoms of your fentanyl withdrawal subside around this time, cravings are the exception. These might be present for quite some time, even with sustained sobriety. Your body has learned to use the drug to cope with uncomfortable situations and will want to return to use when those feelings arise.

While cravings will still be present, they should start to subside in their intensity. Withdrawal symptoms will all lessen over time, though cravings may not ever truly disappear. This is why you should continue with an inpatient rehab program to ensure that you know how to handle your cravings and implement healthier coping skills.

Get Help With Proven Treatment Programs for Fentanyl

The truth is that facing your opioid addiction or fentanyl abuse can be extremely uncomfortable with some very severe symptoms and severe pain. When you are ready for a fentanyl detox, you need to make the most of the resources available to you and opt for medication-assisted treatment.

Many health insurance plans will cover at least part of this level of treatment for substance abuse. This can take away some of the financial burden of receiving the care that you truly need.

Get Support to Overcome Opioids at Icarus in Nevada

Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada can offer you a safe space for an opioid detox from your fentanyl addiction. We can help with pain relief and the physical symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal as well as the psychological effects of going without the drug. Our facility offers a comprehensive treatment center that caters to the individual needs of each of our clients.

If you are ready to embrace sober living and face your fentanyl detox, let us help. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you through these early symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal and into lasting recovery.

All calls are strictly confidential, so reach out to get options for yourself or a loved one now!