Fentanyl is a potent and highly addictive drug that is driving the current opioid crisis in America. If you or a loved one are struggling to quit, you may need a fentanyl detox program. Detox is the first step to making a long-term recovery from addiction.
At The Retreat of Atlanta, our fentanyl detox programs in Atlanta, Georgia can help you kickstart the path to recovery. Call us now at 762-242-6556 or verify your insurance now.
What is Fentanyl Addiction?
Fentanyl addiction is when you compulsively use fentanyl despite negative consequences.
Addiction to fentanyl—or any drug—can harm your physical and mental health. In addition, addiction often causes issues within relationships and at work. You are also at a high risk of legal consequences—especially if you abuse an illicit substance.
So, when fentanyl abuse affects your overall quality of life, your health, and your social well-being, but you can’t stop, then you have an addiction.
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How Do I Know I Need Fentanyl Detox?
You need fentanyl detox if you want to end your addiction to fentanyl.
Detox is the first step in recovery from fentanyl addiction. Oftentimes, in the throes of addiction, people are in denial of the problem. However, there are signs of fentanyl addiction you need to know.
Signs of fentanyl addiction include the following:
- Misusing prescription fentanyl (using more than prescribed or taking fentanyl for euphoric effects)
- Unable to stop using fentanyl after several attempts
- Withdrawal symptoms appear when you stop taking fentanyl
- Intense cravings for fentanyl
- Continuing to use fentanyl despite harmful consequences
- Financial problems due to purchasing illegal drugs
- Appetite changes
- Isolating from friends and family
- Unable to maintain responsibilities at work or home
- Engaging in reckless behavior when under the influence
- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities or hobbies
If any of the above-mentioned signs apply to you—or you have other issues in your life related to fentanyl abuse—then you need professional addiction treatment.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Fentanyl addiction is dangerous. However, quitting without a fentanyl detox program is also dangerous. This is because you’ll experience withdrawal when you stop using fentanyl.
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Sleep disturbances
- Profuse sweating
- Chills and clammy skin
- Watery eyes
- Fatigue
- Anxiety and depression
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- High blood pressure
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nasal congestion
- Agitation and irritability
- Increased heart rate
During our fentanyl detox program in Atlanta, our professional staff will help you manage these symptoms safely.
More: Fentanyl’s Short and Long-Term Effects
Why Is Fentanyl So Addictive?
Fentanyl is addictive due to its high potency compared to other opioids, like heroin and morphine.
According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), “It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.” This high potency means that fentanyl can bind to brain receptors quickly.
Fentanyl blocks pain and produces euphoria, but its potency also means tolerance develops rapidly. For this reason, people consume higher doses—increasing their risk of overdose. In addition, the presence of illicit fentanyl in mixed drug supplies further exacerbates its addictive potential and danger.
What To Expect During Our Fentanyl Detox Program Near Atlanta, Georgia
You can expect medical and psychological support throughout our fentanyl detox program. That way, you can go through withdrawal without caving into strong cravings and urges. Inpatient detox programs also keep you safe from triggers or access to fentanyl. First, we’ll complete an evaluation to create an individualized treatment to meet your needs. We like to get to know our client’s history of substance use, medical conditions, any current psychological/substance abuse treatment, and social background.
During our evaluation, we’ll also learn more about potential causes of your addiction, like family history and underlying mental health conditions. After the evaluation, you and your treatment team will create a plan to complete our detox program successfully. This might include different therapies, holistic therapy, or medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Throughout your program, we’ll continue to work on the next steps in your recovery. That way, you’ll have an aftercare plan for continuing fentanyl addiction treatment.
Our Fentanyl Detox Therapies
It’s important to get some form of counseling throughout fentanyl detox. Withdrawal can be painful—both physically and emotionally. Therapy will also help address any underlying mental health symptoms driving your addiction.
We offer the following types of therapy during our fentanyl detox program:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: One of the most common types of therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps with several mental health symptoms that might appear throughout detox. During CBT, your therapist will help you challenge—and change—unhealthy thought patterns that influence your addictive behavior.
- Dialectical behavior therapy: Originally developed for borderline personality disorder (BPD), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) also helps people with addiction and other mental disorders. Throughout DBT, you’ll work on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Group therapy: Peer support is critical to recovery from substance abuse. In group therapy, you and your peers meet with a therapist to discuss shared experiences and challenges.
- Individual therapy: It’s also important to get one-on-one therapy during fentanyl detox. Your therapist can help you navigate any emotional or mental health struggles you have throughout detox.
- Family counseling: It’s no secret that addiction affects your entire family. During family counseling, you and your family can heal together.
How Long Does a Fentanyl Detox Program Last?
Fentanyl detox programs typically last about one to two weeks.
Most people are in acute withdrawal for about 5 to 7 days. However, you could have lingering symptoms and need additional time in a detox program. For instance, if you engage in polysubstance abuse—using more than one drug—it might take longer to detox.
Still, most people experience fentanyl withdrawal symptoms on the following timeline:
- Six to 12 hours: You’ll start having mild withdrawal symptoms shortly after you stop using fentanyl. That is why it’s important to get into a detox program as soon as possible.
- One to two days: Withdrawal symptoms continue to worsen. You could have flu-like symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
- Three days later: By the third day of detox, your symptoms will be at their worst. This is the peak of acute withdrawal for most people.
- Three to seven days later: Your symptoms will wane in severity over the next few days. However, you’ll need a few days to recover from peak symptoms and additional monitoring.
Some clients have post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This means that you could have lingering withdrawal symptoms for several months after detox. Regardless of whether you have PAWS or not, however, you’ll need to continue addiction treatment after fentanyl detox to fully recover.
What Happens Once Fentanyl Detox Is Complete?
After fentanyl detox, you’ll need long-term addiction treatment to reduce the risk of relapsing in early recovery.
Detox is the first step in addiction recovery. But, you need to continue treatment to address the underlying causes of your addiction. If you don’t continue treatment, you will likely relapse soon after detox.
Long-term addiction treatment includes the following levels of care:
- Residential Treatment: Most residential treatment programs—also called “inpatient rehab”—last 30-90 days. During this level of care, you live within a treatment facility and engage in programming throughout the entire day.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs: After residential treatment, you can begin outpatient treatment. The most intensive of these is a partial hospitalization program (PHP). Many clients choose to live within a sober living program for additional support during PHP.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs: An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is similar to a PHP except you’ll have more flexibility in your schedule. That way, you can transition to everyday life while still getting a high level of care.
After IOP programs, many clients continue to see an outpatient therapist for support. Usually, you’ll have one appointment per week until you resolve a specific issue.
Peer support programs and alumni networks are also critical for long-term recovery. Support groups, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and SMART Recovery, help you stay connected to the recovery community as you go through long-term recovery. Many treatment centers also have alumni networks and programs for long-term support.
Begin Fentanyl Detox Today
Fentanyl is a dangerous and highly addictive opioid drug. Fentanyl addiction can lead to several negative consequences, including medical problems, legal troubles, and relationship issues. But, there is hope for recovery from fentanyl addiction.
Contact Retreat of Atlanta today to start our fentanyl detox program and quit your addiction—for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Detox From Fentanyl?
The detox timeline for fentanyl varies based on individual factors such as dosage, duration of use, and personal health. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can appear 6-12 hours after the last dose and peak around 1-3 days, with physical symptoms subsiding after about a week. Psychological symptoms, however, can persist for weeks or months, highlighting the necessity for professional support.
What to Expect During Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
During detox from fentanyl in Georgia, individuals can expect a comprehensive treatment approach that goes beyond standard opioid addiction therapies. Specialized programs, including medical detox, PHP, IOP, and OP, are designed to address the unique challenges of fentanyl addiction, offering a combination of medical management, therapy, and support tailored to ensure the best chances of recovery and long-term sobriety.
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