Fentanyl is a medication that should be used only to treat breakthrough cancer pain in cancer patients over 18 years of age.
The ugly truth about Fentanyl addiction is that many people who get addicted are the ones that were originally prescribed this medication by their healthcare practitioner for pain management when weaker painkillers could have been used.
Most people don’t realize how addictive this medication could be and, therefore, they don’t tend to take dosage as per instructions. As such, after a period of Fentanyl usage, they find themselves into trouble when they can’t get rid of this medication due to addiction. So, if you or someone you know is battling Fentanyl or even other opioid addiction, getting familiar with fentanyl withdrawal symptoms helps a lot. It makes the detox process in Fentanyl addiction and treatment programs easier.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms during First 3 DaysÂ
The symptoms of Fentanyl withdrawal can vary from one person to another based on several factors. But, to help you get an idea, here are a few common symptoms that affect not only the body but mind as well.
The physical symptoms that the addicted person might experience within the first three days might include sweating, fever, fatigue, runny nose, and soreness. These symptoms are similar to what people experience after catching the flu.
On the other hand, psychological symptoms that a Fentanyl addict might suffer from are anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. If a person is having severe anxiety, it can make a great impact on the body by increasing the heart rate.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms after 3 Days
First of all, one should remember that the detoxification rate for each individual is different. However, the majority of people experience intensified symptoms after the 3-day mark.
Their physical symptoms that may start to appear three days into the detox process involve diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramping. At such times, they need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Besides, in this duration, their craving for Fentanyl also reaches its peak. Thus, they need to be monitored under professional’s supervision and treated under reputable Fentanyl addiction and treatment programs. Another psychological symptom they might experience is severe depression.
Duration to Overcome Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Since the detoxification rate is different for different people, people take different time duration in overcoming these withdrawal symptoms. Plus, the addiction level is also not the same in each individual. There are people who have milder substance abuse issues, while there are also ones who are victims of heavy substance abuse. The former ones get detoxed and recovered faster when compared to the latter. Usually, people start feeling better between five and seven days. However, many people may need longer than a week.
What to do to make it through the detox period?
Quitting fentanyl cold turkey is highly dangerous and challenging. Especially if you are doing it alone, the difficulty level of detoxification is very high. The best way to ensure that you recover safely is by seeking the treatment for fentanyl addiction offered by healthcare providers who can monitor your symptoms correctly and keep you as comfortable as possible.
The best way to handle the intense cravings that can lead to relapse is to stay in a drug-free and highly motivated environment like a drug rehab center.