Fentanyl addiction is a growing crisis, with related overdose deaths increasing by over 55% in recent years. It’s easy to understand what’s behind this upward trend: As one of the most potent opioids available, fentanyl is nearly 50 times stronger than heroin, making it dangerously addictive.
Fentanyl detox can be both physically and mentally overwhelming, which is why professional help is critical. At Her Harbor Recovery Center, we offer personalized detox programs in a safe, women-only environment. Read on to learn more about the process and how our team delivers this essential support.
Fentanyl's Impact on the Body and Mind
Fentanyl is a rapid-acting opioid drug designed to provide swift pain relief in very limited medical scenarios—such as when dealing with severe pain during and after emergency procedures. But as a drug that is about 80x more powerful than morphine, fentanyl delivers such a strong relief and sense of euphoria that it’s easy to get addicted to.
When using fentanyl, people will also experience a wide array of physical and mental effects. As a central nervous system and respiratory depressant, medically unsupervised use of fentanyl can often lead to dangerous physical effects—such as decreased heart rate, breathing problems, slowed brain function, loss of coordination, seizures, and fatal overdose. It can also cause confusion, drowsiness, and extreme happiness.
The Importance of Professional Fentanyl Detox
The high potency of fentanyl makes it extremely difficult to stop using the drugs without experiencing intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be severe and can occur within just a few hours of the last dose. Without proper intervention, individuals may be likely to seek out more of the drug to suppress the symptoms, which increases the high risk of overdose.
In addition to being severe and painful, fentanyl withdrawal can last for weeks or longer. As such, there’s no safe way to stop using the drug “cold turkey.” In order to successfully detox from fentanyl while minimizing dangerous side effects, individuals must carefully taper off the drug under qualified medical supervision.
What to Expect During Fentanyl Detox
Detoxing from fentanyl may feel overwhelming, but at Her Harbor Recovery Center, we prioritize your comfort and safety. After a thorough intake assessment, our specialists will develop a personalized plan to address your specific needs and the severity of the dependency.
In the first few days, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, aches, and cravings, but our dedicated medical team is always by your side to keep you as safe and as comfortable as possible.
Throughout the fentanyl detox timeline, our team carefully tapers your dosage to minimize the shock to your system, ensuring your body adjusts safely.
Detox isn’t just about overcoming withdrawal; it’s about preparing you for the next steps toward lasting recovery. Once the physical symptoms have gradually eased enough, our peaceful environment and holistic therapies—such as trauma-informed yoga and counseling—can help lay a strong foundation for both your physical and mental recovery.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms and Common Challenges During Detox
Withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl can be severe and may involve intense cravings, anxiety, nausea, body aches, sweating, and insomnia. Psychological symptoms like depression and irritability can also emerge. These symptoms are most intense within the first few days but can persist for weeks.
How to detox from fentanyl can be a big obstacle to successful recovery. When people attempt to detox from fentanyl outside of a professional addiction recovery program, they may not have enough support to weather the powerful storm of withdrawal. This common challenge can significantly increase the risk of relapse or overdose.
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Fentanyl?
The time it takes to detox from fentanyl depends on the severity of the problem and how high the previous doses were. In general, one can expect the initial withdrawal symptoms to dissipate after about 7 to 10 days of detox, with the effects reaching their peak at around 3 days.
But while the physical effects of detox may subside after about a week, the lingering mental impact of the drug can continue for weeks or months after. Ongoing therapy and holistic wellness practices can significantly help individuals navigate recovery after detox to further decrease the risk of relapse.
The Role of Counseling and Support
Professional therapy and support are critical during and after fentanyl detox. These services help clients understand the root causes of their addiction, develop coping mechanisms, and form an actionable relapse prevention plan.
At Her Harbor, we understand that every person may need a unique approach to counseling. We offer therapy services to help support truly individualized recovery plans. CBT, for example, can help clients learn how to identify and respond to harmful stimuli in a healthy manner. Dual diagnosis therapy, on the other hand, may be used to understand how a coexisting mental health condition may have contributed to an addictive behavior.
Other activities—such as trauma-informed yoga and support groups—can also be vital in helping people become part of a community where they can safely explore challenges and solutions.
Aftercare Planning and Support Post-Detox
After detox, ongoing support is crucial to managing the stressors of everyday life without succumbing to the pressure to abuse fentanyl again. A strong aftercare strategy is personalized to the individual and may be composed of continued therapy, participation in a 12-step program, or regular wellness activities.
Her Harbor Recovery Center is committed to developing aftercare plans for each client so that they can continue to grow after detox and follow a path toward long-term recovery.
Why Choose Her Harbor Recovery Center for Fentanyl Detox?
For high-quality fentanyl detox, Fresno, CA residents turn to Her Harbor Recovery Center. As a women’s drug detox center, this unique residential facility provides a safe and supportive environment designed to foster healing and personal growth. The focus on compassionate care and a tranquil setting allows women to process past traumas and fully concentrate on their recovery journey, without outside distractions. Her Harbor’s specialized approach creates an atmosphere of comfort and trust, making it an ideal place for women to build a foundation for long-term addiction recovery.
Get Started With Fentanyl Detox
Don’t let the dangers of fentanyl put you or your loved ones in harm’s way. Understanding that fast action is critical to addiction recovery, our team at Her Harbor Recovery is ready to guide you through every step of fentanyl detox and rehabilitation. Call (559) 481-8318 today to learn more about our process and how we help others live well after addiction.
Haley Sample is a dedicated and experienced registered nurse with a robust background in healthcare and leadership. Her professional journey includes significant contributions to various medical institutions, showcasing her expertise and commitment to patient care. Her leadership skills, marketing acumen, and dedication to patient care make her a valuable asset in the healthcare industry.
