Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous opioids available today. It has a high potential for misuse because of how powerful it is and how quickly it works, which prompts the brain to more rapidly crave it. When dealing with a drug that is this potent, there is always a risk of suffering serious health issues, including overdoses.
If you have developed a dependence or addiction to this drug, the best way to receive the assistance you need is to begin a fentanyl addiction treatment program. With professionals assisting you at Promises Behavioral Health, you can avoid the worst fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. Now is an excellent time to learn more about the drug and how long it can stay in your system.
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?
A common question people have when they begin a treatment program is, “How long does fentanyl stay in your system?” Typically, it will last about 48 hours, but there can be numerous factors that could impact that timeline.
The amount of the drug that you take and how often you take it, as well as your overall health, can play a role in this. If you consume a substantial amount, or if your body is struggling to metabolize the drug because of illnesses, the process can be longer. Even if you’re healthy, your metabolic rate can differ, leading to faster or slower elimination times.
Another factor that impacts how long the drug stays in your system is the route of administration. Injecting Fentanyl means it enters your bloodstream faster, which also speeds up the process of metabolizing it. In contrast, taking Fentanyl orally can mean a slower process.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Although it may seem that going through withdrawal can be fast, it can actually take longer for your body to stabilize than it takes to eliminate the drug from your bloodstream. This means that you’ll experience fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe. These include:
- Insomnia
- Aching muscles
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fever
- Mood swings
- Vomiting
- Intense cravings
- Anxiety
- Extreme fatigue
Because of the severity of these symptoms, it’s important to consider beginning a treatment program that offers medical detox services. These can keep you comfortable as you go through withdrawal.
Why Fentanyl Withdrawal Occurs
Fentanyl impacts your opioid receptors, dulling pain and prompting feelings of euphoria. The more often you take the drug, the more your body begins to work around it. Your brain can turn off some opioid receptors or make them less sensitive, and a variety of other chemical processes change to accommodate the drug’s effects.
If you abruptly stop taking fentanyl, the precarious balance that the body has achieved is upset again. Your brain needs to recalibrate, and that takes a lot of adjustments. Until it can find that stability again, you will continue to experience withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms might not seem as serious as that of alcohol withdrawal, for example, but they can be very tough to go through without help. One of the biggest risks is dehydration from the vomiting, fever, and diarrhea that you can experience.
Begin Your Fentanyl Addiction Recovery at Promises Behavioral Health
Living with a fentanyl addiction can impact your quality of life and cause all manner of health issues. Because of the drug’s potency, overdosing may be very likely and can easily be fatal. One of the most important steps you can take is to begin a treatment program at a specialized center.
Promises Behavioral Health’s team of dedicated professionals can help you understand what led to the development of substance misuse and how you can break free from it. Contact the team at Promises Behavioral Health by calling us at 844.875.5609 or completing our online contact form.