Like most places in America, the opioid crisis sacked Dallas, Texas, with little warning. For heavy fentanyl users, it is recommended to seek out a medically supervised detox center.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid. Because of its potency and rapid action, the withdrawal stage can be intense and stressful. Texas Recovery Centers uses evidence-based opioid rehab treatment in a serene, ranch-style setting just outside Dallas in Scurry, Texas. We offer a peaceful and supportive environment to help you reach a better life.
This guide provides a detailed look at the fentanyl withdrawal process and what happens inside the body. Learn about the symptoms to expect, the medical treatments available, and more. If you’re ready to talk now, contact our office and learn more.
Medical Supervision for Fentanyl Detox
Fentanyl creates a rapid and strong physical dependence. During withdrawal the brain and body, having adapted to the constant presence of the drug, go into overdrive. Attempting to quit fentanyl without medical help is dangerous due to the severity of symptoms. It also puts you at a higher risk of relapse and subsequent overdose.
Undergoing fentanyl detoxification at a treatment facility gives patients a safe and structured environment to manage symptoms. Studies show that patients who opt for this have a higher success rate for recovery as well.
Why Do I Need Supervision for Fentanyl Detox?
Medical detox at clinics like Texas Recovery Centers provides 24/7 care to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and prepare clients for the next phase of inpatient treatment. While it is not impossible to undergo withdrawal without medical supervision, it is recommended that you do. Especially if you are a heavy or longtime user of fentanyl or other opiates.
Key Risks of Unsupervised Withdrawal:
- Distress: Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms are more severe and acute than those from traditional opioids. This makes the process intolerable and drives chances of immediate relapse and subsequent overdose.
- Dehydration and Imbalance: Severe vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dangerous dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, requiring medical intervention.
- Overdose Risk: A person’s tolerance decreases quickly during withdrawal. If they relapse and return to their previous dose, the risk of a fatal overdose significantly heightens.
Symptoms Monitored During Detox
The medical team at Texas Recovery Centers monitors clients around the clock for these acute physical and psychological symptoms. Regular vital sign checks and emotional check-ins are standard protocol to ensure comfort and safety.
In a professional setting, you’ll have a safe and supportive environment to manage detox symptoms. Common symptoms include:
Physical Symptoms
- Severe Pain: Intense muscle aches (myalgia) and joint pain.
- Gastrointestinal Distress: Persistent nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Autonomic Symptoms: Profuse sweating, chills, “piloerection” (goosebumps), and heart rate elevation (tachycardia).
- Restlessness: Involuntary leg movements and inability to remain still (restless leg syndrome).
Mental Symptoms
- Profound Anxiety: Acute feelings of dread, panic, and nervousness.
- Insomnia: Extreme difficulty achieving any restorative sleep.
- Dysphoria: Intense sadness, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and depressive mood.
- Intense Cravings: Overwhelming urges to use the substance.
Medical Management and Treatment Protocols
Fentanyl withdrawal is managed using Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and supportive symptomatic care, adhering to evidence-based guidelines for substance use treatment.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Tapering
MAT is the clinical cornerstone of safe opioid detox. It involves transitioning the client from fentanyl to a safer, longer-acting medication to stabilize the body and eliminate acute withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone/Subutex): This partial opioid agonist is highly effective for reducing cravings and withdrawal severity. Because of the risk of precipitated withdrawal (a sudden, severe onset of symptoms), the timing of buprenorphine administration is crucial and must be managed by our medical providers.
- Methadone: Used for certain clients, methadone is a full opioid agonist that provides a smooth, gradual taper over a controlled period.
Care After Detox for Dallas Residents
Detox is only the first step. For Dallas residents, the transition from our medical unit to the residential treatment program in Scurry, Texas, is where the true work begins.
Residential Treatment Focus
After the acute physical withdrawal subsides, clients move into the inpatient program at our ranch campus. The focus shifts to addressing the mental, emotional, and practical issues that keep opioid use going.
Residential treatment is the more familiar stage of rehab when the patient stays at a treatment facility for an extended period of time. Duration of stay varies on a case by case basis. Patients meet with counselors and more to aid their transition to sober-living. A team of professionals works with disciplines such as:
- Evidence-Based Therapies: Clients engage in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma therapy to address underlying mental health conditions (co-occurring disorders) that often co-exist with opioid use disorder.
- Experiential Therapies: Our unique setting allows for therapies such as equine-assisted therapy and wilderness and adventure therapy, helping clients practice new emotional regulation skills and connect with peers in a healthy, non-drug-using environment.
The purpose of this stage is to address underlying causes for addiction. Many patients express struggles with mental health, past trauma, and more. The approach removes patients from an environment that may trigger them to relapse, which risks subsequent overdose following withdrawal.
Addressing Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
After the first week, clients must confront Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS), the protracted psychological symptoms that can persist for months. These moments can be difficult for patients in recovery. And it is imperative that a possible relapse and subsequent overdose be avoided at all costs. That’s why our team recommends being at a treatment center.
At Texas Recovery Center, our clinical team integrates post-acute withdrawal symptom management into therapy, focusing on:
- Insomnia and Sleep Hygiene for better management of symptoms.
- Mood Management to address anxiety and depression.
- Coping Skills for managing cravings and emotional volatility.
As these symptoms vary in frequency and severity, it is preferred that patients continue treatment on-site as recommended by professionals. While some patients may be eager to leave the facility and begin the transition back to daily life, it’s important to adhere to the individualized treatment plan.
Stepping Down and Aftercare
Stepping down is when a patient moves to a less intensive stage of recovery. Effectively, the individual transitions away from a higher level of care. It could even mean the transition back to your career. Since the journey of sobriety is never truly complete, aftercare refers to the process of monitoring patients post-treatment.
It is the next major milestone of a patient’s recovery journey. It’s important to note that some people may take longer to reach this stage of their recovery. Clinics are unable to provide an accurate timeline until the treatment process begins.
What’s important to note is that this journey can vary in length and treatment. This extends to stepping down and aftercare. Texas Recovery Centers coordinates the continuum of care to support clients transitioning back to life in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex:
- Partial Hospitalization (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient (IOP) for continued full-day or part-time structured support.
- Ongoing MAT and medication management as part of a long-term strategy.
- Alumni programming to stay connected to a supportive peer network in Dallas.
Get Started with Opioid Rehab Near Dallas
Taking the first step is easier than you think. No matter your situation, treatment will improve your life and that of everyone around you. If you or a loved one in Dallas are struggling with fentanyl or opioid dependence, timely, evidence-based treatment can be lifesaving. The sooner you seek out treatment for yourself or a loved one, the better.
Contact Texas Recovery Centers near Dallas today to speak with our admissions team. We can complete a fast, confidential online insurance verification and help coordinate your journey from Dallas to our peaceful Scurry campus for medical detox and comprehensive recovery.
Additional Resources:
- SAMHSA National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/fentanyl
- FindTreatment.gov: https://findtreatment.gov/
- CDC Opioid Crisis Response: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/resources/index.html
- American Academy of Family Physicians – MAT Guide: https://www.aafp.org/
