Fentanyl Detox in Arkansas

Contact Time Wellness Detox today to learn more about our detox centers in Arkansas.

What is Fentanyl Withdrawal?

Fentanyl withdrawal refers to several unpleasant symptoms that occur when a person who has become addicted to the drug abruptly stops taking it.

When a person uses fentanyl, the drug binds to specific receptors in the brain and central nervous system (CNS). Many of these receptors are located in areas that are associated with emotions, pain, and reward. 

The development of fentanyl addiction indicates that a person’s body has changed in response to the near continuous presence of the drug. These changes can include relying on fentanyl to maintain appropriate levels of dopamine and certain other brain chemicals.

When a person with fentanyl addiction suddenly stops using the drug, this can throw their internal systems into disarray, with their body temporarily unable to produce adequate levels of various neurotransmitters. This chemical imbalance is one of the reasons why people develop withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using fentanyl.

Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal

Fentanyl withdrawal typically involves both physical and psychological pain. Many of the physical symptoms are similar to what a person might experience if they had a particularly severe case of the flu, such as:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Chills and fever
• Excessive perspiration
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Racing heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure
• Intense abdominal
• Aching in muscles and bones
• Loss of appetite

From a cognitive/psychological perspective, fentanyl withdrawal can involve:

• Intense cravings for fentanyl or other opioids
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dramatic mood swings
• Suicidal thoughts

How Long Does It Take to Detox from Fentanyl?

Generally speaking, it usually takes about 10-14 days to detox from fentanyl. 

Factors that can extend or reduce the amount of time it takes for you to complete the process include:

• Your age, gender, and metabolism
• How long you’ve been addicted to fentanyl, and how much you’ve been using
• If you have previously gone through opioid withdrawal
• If you have any co-occurring medical concerns or mental health challenges

Fentanyl Withdrawal Timeline

Depending on the personal factors noted in the previous section, here’s an estimate of what you can expect as you progress through the fentanyl withdrawal timeline:

• Within 8-24 hours after your last dose of fentanyl, you should begin to experience your first withdrawal symptoms.
• Over the next 48-72 hours (two to three days), your symptoms will intensify.
• Around three to five days after you stopped using fentanyl, your withdrawal symptoms should peak.
• Once your symptoms peak, they should begin to gradually subside. This can take 4-10 days.

By about the two-week mark, most of your symptoms should have disappeared – though it’s not uncommon to have cravings and struggle with residual fatigue for a bit longer than this.

The main exception to this timeline involves a phenomenon called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). People who have PAWS may endure extended symptoms for a year or longer.

Common PAWS symptoms include:

• Cravings
• Mood swings
• Brain fog
• Anxiety and irritability
• Depression

Can I Detox from Fentanyl from Home?

It’s possible to withdraw from fentanyl at home on your own, but this can be a bad idea for several reasons. For example:

• When your withdrawal symptoms intensify and your cravings increase, your desire to end your suffering can overwhelm your intention to quit using opioids. When you’re at home, where you will be able to get fentanyl, this can quickly lead to relapse.
  
  
• As noted earlier, fentanyl withdrawal symptoms usually subside within a few weeks. But when you’re in the midst of the experience, it can feel like the pain will never end. If you don’t have someone with you who can explain what you’re going through and reassure you that it will soon be over, this can also push you back into active drug use.
  
  
• If you fail to get through withdrawal at home, you may begin to believe that you simply aren’t strong enough to stop using fentanyl. These types of self-defeating thoughts can delay your next attempt, which keeps you in danger of the severe harm that can result from compulsive fentanyl use.

Here’s why enrolling in our fentanyl detox program in Arkansas can be a much better choice than trying to withdraw from fentanyl on your own:

• At Time Wellness Detox, you won’t have access to fentanyl or other opioids. Even if you are tempted to use again, you simply won’t have the opportunity to do so. Thus, your risk of immediate relapse is eliminated as long as you remain in our program.
  
  
• When you’re in fentanyl detox, you can receive prescription medication to prevent or ease many of the more disruptive withdrawal symptoms. This means you’ll be able to stop using fentanyl without enduring the types of pain previously described on this page.
  
  
• During your time with us, you will also be able to take part in therapy sessions conducted by experienced and compassionate professionals. While you’re still in fentanyl detox, you can begin to build a framework for your healthier future in recovery.
  
  
• Our treatment professionals are familiar with all aspects of fentanyl recovery and prepared to address any contingencies that may occur. In addition to keeping you as safe and comfortable as possible, they can also help you understand what to expect every step of the way.
  
  
• Before you transition out of our care, we’ll develop a customized discharge plan to guide your continued progress. Depending on what’s best for you, this plan may include referrals to inpatient, residential, our outpatient care.

How Does Our Fentanyl Detox in Arkansas Work?

Everyone who enrolls in fentanyl detox in Arkansas receives personalized care that reflects their unique needs and goals. This means that no two people will have identical experiences with us. However all patients can benefit from certain fundamental features of our program. 

Following your intake evaluation, your treatment team will identify the medications and therapeutic services that best align with your needs and goals. 

If your plan includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), you will receive one of the following meds:

• Methadone, which has been used in opioid treatment programs since the 1970s, and has a documented history of safety and effectiveness for both short- and long-term use.
  
• Buprenorphine, which earned FDA approval in 2002, can functions similar to methadone. This medication prevents the onset of cravings and many other withdrawal symptoms, which can make it much easier for you to stop using fentanyl.
• Naltrexone blocks the opioid receptors in the brain to help curb cravings and reduce the risk of overdose in case of relapse. This medication is commonly prescribed as an oral tablet, however, it is also available as a monthly injection called Vivitrol. 

The therapeutic component of your care at our fentanyl detox may include elements such as:

• Individual psychotherapy
• Family counseling 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• EMDR therapy
• Trauma therapy
• Yoga, art, meditation, and other holistic therapies
• Biofeedback therapy
• Biosound therapy
• Red light therapy

Throughout your time with us, you will be in a safe, closely supervised environment, under the care of a team of experts who truly care about you. Fentanyl detox can be challenging, but when you complete the process at Time Wellness Detox, you’ll receive the services and support you need to take this vital step toward a more promising future.