Why It Takes 21 Days to Detox from Fentanyl
Fentanyl is dangerous, full stop. It’s addictive, it’s much more powerful than it has any right to be, and the recovery process is made complicated by its resistance to traditional opioid treatment medication. Staying away is highly recommended, and getting off it is the next best thing, but as some may guess, that’s easier said than done. Fentanyl takes a long time to recover from, and it can take up to 21 days to fully detox. So, why might that be?
What is a Detox from Fentanyl?
Before getting into it, it’s best to establish what a “detox” is. There are variations here and there, but put simply, a detox is the process of removing toxins from one’s body. Toxins is an umbrella term that can mean all sorts of things, but most importantly it can refer to unwanted substances like alcohol or drugs from their system.
The processes vary, with some more effective than others, but one with certified credibility and strength to its name is the “medical detox”. Take a look at Sober on Demand, for example, a leader in all things addiction coaching. Their at-home detox program is proven effective due to their approach, with modernized medicinal techniques that can assist you on location, at your home, or anywhere really. This includes the general Sober on Demand services, sober companions, natural assisted therapies, holistic services, access to therapists, counselors, and psychologists, and much more.
However, now that we know of some options in terms of resources, comes the uncomfortable aspect. The worst part about recovery from any substance is the withdrawal symptoms. Arguably, fentanyl may have it the worst due to just how long it takes to fully recover.
Cold Turkey is a No Go
For example, one aspect that grinds the process to a halt is the lack of a “cold turkey” approach. Otherwise known as stopping the drug then and there, with no exceptions and no weaning process. If one were to try stopping immediately, the withdrawal symptoms may be catastrophic. The drug itself lowers the users’ respiratory rate, blood pressure, and heart rate, but when stopped these systems suddenly go haywire! Sudden increases in blood pressure, risks of strokes and heart attacks, and some other long-lasting effects.
The process most often recommended is weaning the client off the drug slowly, lowering the severity of the withdrawal effects.
Usage Complications
Another extending factor (or set of factors) is the depths of the addiction itself. Things like the amount they used, the frequency in which they used it, and the duration of their addiction. For some in the early stages of their addiction, it may be closer to 1-2 weeks. However, being that fentanyl can hook users with its stronger effects, there is a chance that aa client may be in much deeper and need a longer detox period. Not only that, but any drugs used alongside it and prior medical conditions also play a major role in the detox from fentanyl process.
The Effects of Withdrawal from fentanyl
The final reason a detox from fentanyl process may take longer, though not common, is the risk of a relapse. Withdrawal is rough, and while the best-case scenario is that any detox process, whether it be at-home detox or in a facility, goes smoothly, relapse may be inevitable in some cases. Especially with fentanyl, which may have some dangerous effects on the body.
Addiction isn’t easy to deal with, but it’s vital that when it comes to detox, any potential client reach out to a resource like Sober on Demand as soon as possible. It can be dangerous to handle detoxing alone, and SOD is especially great at maintaining secrecy while also being effective.
