Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is FDA-approved for use as a pain reliever following surgeries or as a treatment for complex pain conditions. Over the past 10 years, its illegal, off-market popularity has risen steadily.
According to the latest data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there were 70,601 overdose deaths related to synthetic opioids other than methadone in 2021. Of those, most were attributed to fentanyl abuse.
Understanding the signs of a fentanyl addiction can help you identify if someone you love is struggling with this disorder. One common question is, “How long does fentanyl withdrawal last?” Today, we’re answering that question and more to shed light on this ongoing crisis.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a very powerful synthetic drug that the FDA has approved for use as an analgesic (pain reliever) and anesthetic (numbing agent). The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cites that when used as an analgesic, it’s around 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin.
In fact, just two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a fatal dose. That’s the equivalent of about 10 to 15 grains of table salt.
Common street names for fentanyl include:
- Great Bear
- Apace
- China Girl
- Dance Fever
- Friend
- Murder 8
In prescription form, fentanyl is often sold under brand names such as Actiq®, Sublimaze®.4,5, and Duragesic®.
Similar to morphine, fentanyl is a medication that doctors may prescribe to help patients who are suffering from severe pain, especially after surgery. In addition, doctors can also use it to treat individuals who have chronic pain and have become tolerant to other, less potent opioids. As their bodies become accustomed to the effects of those drugs, they need a higher or more frequent amount of the medication to achieve the desired effects.
How Is It Consumed?
When a doctor prescribes fentanyl, they will normally administer it as a shot or a patch that they put on the person’s skin. They can also give it as lozenges that the person will suck like a cough drop.
The type of illegally-used fentanyl responsible for the uptick in recent overdoses is normally made in a lab. Individuals can take this synthetic substance in a variety of different ways. Some of the most common ones include:
- Grinding the substance into a powder and snorting or sniffing it
- Taking it orally in pill or tablet form
- Spiking it onto blotter paper or patches
- Putting it into eye droppers or nasal sprays
While fentanyl is often sold alone, drug dealers often mix it with other strong opioids, such as heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine. They may also deceitfully place it in fake pills, selling it as a less-potent pharmaceutical drug such as oxycodone.
It takes just a very small amount of fentanyl to produce a very powerful high. This makes it a cheap option for dealers looking for a potent additive to their products. However, this makes the drug very risky to take. Often, people don’t realize that the drugs they’re taking contain fentanyl until it’s too late.
They may believe their bodies can handle strong opioids, like heroin, and take the amount they’re accustomed to. This can make them more likely to overdose.
Effects of Fentanyl on the Body
When someone takes fentanyl, it can have severe and even lethal effects on their mind and body. Similar to other opioid analgesics, it causes initial feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Users will often experience deep pain relief to the point of sedation.
However, that experience quickly gives way to more adverse effects, including:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
When someone takes a lethal dose of fentanyl, it can progress into total respiratory depression, rendering them unable to breathe on their own. Let’s take a closer look at its effects.
Psychological Effects
Opioid drugs like morphine and heroin bind to the body’s opioid receptors, and fentanyl is the same way. These receptors are located throughout a person’s body, including areas of the brain that are responsible for controlling pain, fear, and other emotions. There are also opioid receptors that control physical functions, such as digestion and sleep.
The body already contains its own opioid chemicals. One example is endorphins, which are released after exercise and provide feelings of joy and satisfaction. When synthetic opioid drugs attach to these same receptors, they dull the sensation of pain and produce similar uplifting effects.
This is why opioids are so effective when someone is recovering from a traumatic event, such as dental surgery. However, it’s easy to misuse these drugs because the high they produce can be very addictive.
After someone takes opioids for an extended period of time, their brain adapts to the experience. This drives them to take even more of the substance and renders them unable to achieve the same feelings from anything other than the drug.
Physical Effects
Life-threatening physical reactions can occur within just two minutes of using fentanyl. In addition to the symptoms listed above, such as drowsiness and nausea, the person may also exhibit more serious symptoms, including:
- Slowed breathing
- Constricted pupils
- Itching or warm sensation on the skin
- Sedation
- Breathing difficulties
These effects are magnified if fentanyl is taken alongside other drugs, such as other opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines.
Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose
When someone overdoses on fentanyl, it is usually because they’re taking it illegally, or in a way other than their doctor prescribed it to them. People who abuse this drug or take it for non-medical purposes usually take it at much higher amounts than a medical professional would provide.
The signs of a fentanyl overdose are similar to those associated with any opioid overdose. They include:
- Unresponsiveness
- Gurling or snorting sounds
- Bluish skin, or skin that feels clammy and cold
- Very slow, shallow breathing
- Severe sleepiness
- Loss of consciousness
If you believe someone is overdosing on fentanyl, seek medical help immediately. These effects can become deadly in a very short period of time, and it’s important to act with urgency. There are certain medications, such as Naloxone, that have been formulated to reverse an opioid overdose, but they are not always effective.
Due to the immense potency of fentanyl, someone may require multiple doses of Naloxone to mitigate its effects. In some cases, the condition is beyond the realm of medical treatment.
How Long Does Fentanyl Withdrawal Last?
If someone decides to stop taking this drug, it’s important to do so under the professional guidance of a drug addiction treatment center. The fentanyl withdrawal process can be incredibly painful and difficult to go through.
The symptoms of withdrawal can begin in as few as two hours after the last dose of the drug was taken. However, they usually begin anywhere from eight to 36 hours later.
Some of the most common signs that someone is going through fentanyl withdrawal include:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Bone and muscle pain
- Involuntary leg movements
- Sleep problems
- Severe drug cravings
These symptoms can be very uncomfortable, which is what leads many people to relapse back into their former habits. For most people, the fentanyl withdrawal process lasts around seven to 10 days. The main factors that affect the timeline of the withdrawal symptoms, including their onset and duration include:
- The frequency of the drug use
- The overall extent of the addiction
In addition, physical features such as a person’s gender, body composition, and overall health can affect how painful this process is, and how long it takes to recover.
Day-By-Day Breakdown
While the below breakdown will not apply to everyone withdrawing from fentanyl, this gives a general basis for what someone can expect. The following withdrawal symptoms are known to be present during each day:
Day 1
- Sleep disruption
- Appetite loss
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Aggression
- Irritability
Day 2
- Runny nose
- Upset stomach
- Insomnia
- Excessive perspiration
- Panic attacks
Day 3
Day 3 is when most fentanyl withdrawal symptoms peak. These include:
- Diahrrea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Days 4-7
Once the most acute period is over, certain symptoms can linger, such as:
- Shivering
- Body cramps
- Enlarged pupils
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Fatigue
Treating a Fentanyl Addiction
There isn’t a universal treatment solution that will be effective for every fentanyl addiction. In almost every case, patients are encouraged to enter a supervised medical detox program, which will lead them through the withdrawal process in the most comfortable way possible.
These programs are designed to support the patient through every phase of detox, helping them successfully recover from a synthetic opioid addiction. In addition to medication, most patients will also require some form of behavioral therapy.
These sessions help them understand the causes behind their addictive behavior. They also help the patient find healthier coping mechanisms they can use to deal with everyday stress and painful triggers.
Find Help for a Fentanyl Addiction
A fentanyl addiction can affect every aspect of a person’s life. As the condition progresses and tolerance builds, it can even turn fatal. If you know someone who is struggling with this disorder, prompt treatment can help reverse its effects and help restore their quality of life.
How long does fentanyl withdrawal last? The answer can vary, but it normally takes at least a week for the most severe symptoms to dissipate.
Coping with withdrawal becomes easier with the right treatment plan in place. At Reflections, we can provide customized plans for each patient, from residential treatment to intensive outpatient support. To learn more, contact us today.
