In the United States, 107,000 lives are lost each year from drug overdoses; 55,000 of those overdoses are from fentanyl alone. The dangers of unintentional fentanyl use cannot be overstated. Many people turn to fentanyl due to tighter controls of prescription opioids. When used alongside other substances, the sedative effect found in fentanyl is enhanced to such a degree that it can often lead to a fatal overdose. Many substances, from prescription medications to marijuana are now being laced with fentanyl, leading to unintentional overdoses and even death for users. Many patients were shocked to learn that fentanyl was present in their system without them knowing.
Fentanyl Is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than any other opioid, and the effects are that much harder to detox.
How do I ask for help?
The first step to recovery can be extremely difficult for those who don’t know where to begin. There is no need to struggle alone. Even with support and emotional strength, the withdrawal symptoms present a highly significant challenge. These symptoms can last several days and frequently lead to relapse. It is extremely important to detox from fentanyl under medical supervision through a detox program, as sometimes withdrawal symptoms can be fatal. The opioid/fentanyl withdrawal timeline and symptoms vary from person to person and can be influenced by a number of factors that include: how severe your addiction is, the length of time you have been using, the amount used on a consistent basis, use of other drugs or alcohol, and any underlying medical or mental health issues you may have. How you took the fentanyl can also affect withdrawal. Fentanyl is available in various immediate-release formulations, as well as extended-release patches, or as injections. Previous abuse of extended-release forms of fentanyl can prolong your withdrawal process, while injection abuse of fentanyl may be associated with faster onset of withdrawal and more severe withdrawal effects.
We’re here to help
Springfield Wellness Center has built its reputation on addressing the individual needs of patients and helping them detox with minimal withdrawal symptoms. Our staff is standing by, ready to help you on your journey to recovery. Too many people struggle with addiction alone—and all too often fail. Let us help you. Working together we can beat addiction.
Vivitrol: Long-Term Support Against Relapse
Fentanyl has changed everything about addiction detox and recovery—except NAD’s effectiveness at helping people through it. Nevertheless, fentanyl detox can take longer than the standard 10-day detox, and the brain can need supplemental support longer than is typical for detox from other substances. That’s why Springfield Wellness Center offers monthly Vivitrol (naltrexone) injections to patients who have completed their 10-day intravenous BR+NAD detox protocol and need additional ongoing support to avoid relapse. Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist with the highest affinity for the opioid receptor. In other words, Vivitrol binds with the opioid receptor so that you don’t feel cravings. Vivitrol is delivered through a monthly injection that can be managed by one of our physicians, or continued by your own doctor at home. Vivitrol has no withdrawal symptoms when you decide to stop using it.
Vivitrol:
Is not associated with the development of tolerance or dependence. Is not an opioid. Is non-addictive and doesn’t cause dependence. Is not aversion therapy and does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction, either as a result of opioid use or ethanol ingestion. Will increase your chances of injury, coma, overdose, and death, if you take opiates while on Vivitrol. Your body will be more sensitive to these drugs after having undergone detox and Vivitrol treatment.