Fentanyl Detox In Florida | Detoxification From Fentanyl - Real Recovery Solutions
Open 24/7 - Always Here to Help
Open 24/7

Fentanyl Detox

If you or your loved one is living with fentanyl use disorder, and you’re thinking about starting or re-committing to recovery, it can be difficult to know where to begin. A professional fentanyl detox program will empower you to approach recovery from a place of mutual support and stability.

During a fentanyl detox program, you’ll receive constant support from experienced clinicians, get ongoing physical and psychological care, and benefit from a sense of camaraderie with other people who are in the same stage of recovery as you are.

In the first half of 2024, fentanyl was the single deadliest illicit substance in the state of Florida, causing the death of more than 2,000 individuals. It’s unknown how many of those individuals were going through withdrawal and returned to use to satiate cravings for opioids.

At Real Recovery Solutions, we’re here to support your recovery from day one. We can take you all the way from detox to a year or more in sober living, ensuring you have consistent support the entire time.

Discover Your Success Story

fentanyl detox | IMG 4966

Key Takeaways

  • We treat fentanyl use disorder and opioid withdrawal, like flu-like symptoms and mental health challenges.
  • We empower clients to cope with withdrawal symptoms using a combination of round-the-clock monitoring, evidence-based therapies, and peer support.
  • Fentanyl detox begins as early as 3 hours after the last dose; withdrawal symptoms become more intense over the next 48 hours, peak in 3 to 5 days, and recede within 2 weeks.
  • Many clients experience Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) months after they’ve finished detox.
  • Detoxing from fentanyl at home is unsafe because of the potential for dehydration, suicidal ideation, and overdose if you return to use.
  • There are several benefits of professional detox, including consistent emotional and physical support, reduced withdrawal symptoms, and lower rates of relapse.
  • Our treatment options following detox include inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and our sober living program.

Schedule a Confidential Callback

  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 200 MB, Max. files: 2.
      If you have a picture of your insurance card, you may upload the front and back of it here. As a reminder, all information is completely confidential.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    What We Treat: Fentanyl Use Disorder and Withdrawal

    Fentanyl is one of the strongest, fastest-acting, and most dangerous opioids used recreationally today. It’s a synthetic, or man-made, opioid. Since it is produced illegally, there is no way to know for sure what is in any given dose of fentanyl.

    Because the substance is very cheap to produce, it’s commonly used as a lacing agent in other illicit drugs, to boost profits for dealers and enhance other psychoactive effects. This means that some people begin taking fentanyl without knowing it.

    Whether you’re taking fentanyl knowingly or because it’s laced into something else, you can quickly develop a fentanyl use disorder. This occurs when you have a physical and psychological dependence on the substance.

    When you take fentanyl, it attaches itself to opioid receptors throughout your central nervous system. When this happens, your brain releases dopamine and endorphins, which reduce pain and produce a sense of euphoria. Over time, the naturally occurring amounts of these chemicals in your body will no longer feel sufficient, and when you stop taking the opioids that trigger them, you’ll experience withdrawals.

    Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal

    The symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal usually mimic those of a bad flu. While these aren’t deadly, they can be extremely uncomfortable and difficult to manage on your own.

    Common symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include:

    • Runny eyes and nose
    • Muscle spasms
    • Bone and muscle pain
    • Rapid heart rate
    • Trouble breathing
    • Tremors
    • Nausea
    • Stomach cramps
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Intense cravings
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Mood swings

    Most of these symptoms on their own are not severely dangerous. However, it isn’t safe to detox on your own. In combination, these symptoms can cause serious complications. Participating in the fentanyl detox program at Real Recovery Solutions ensures that you have consistent emotional support for this change and medical treatment to reduce the severity of symptoms.

    fentanyl detox

    How We Treat: Evidence-Based Practices

    For many individuals living with a fentanyl use disorder, a professional detox program is the first major step in a lifetime of recovery.

    Most symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal are fairly mild. However, in combination, they can produce more serious health concerns, like severe dehydration, especially if they go untreated. At Real Recovery Solutions, you’ll have the support of experienced professionals who know what to expect and how to maximize your comfort during this stage.

    Most of our staff members are in recovery themselves, and they know what it’s like to be exactly where you are now. They are prepared to meet you where you’re at and help you make the transition into long-term recovery.

    The detox program won’t eliminate your symptoms. The goal of detox is to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and empower you to begin recovery from a place of stability. 

    Detox treatment methods include 24/7 monitoring, evidence-based psychological treatment, targeted medication for individual symptoms, and peer support.

    Detox is also appropriate for people who are already on their recovery journey but have returned to use. Regardless of your experience before treatment, our team at Real Recovery Solutions will treat you with the kindness and dignity that every person deserves. We understand the gravity of the commitment that you’re making, and we will meet you with the same kind of dedication.

    Timeline for Fentanyl Withdrawal and Detox

    Your unique timeline for fentanyl detox may vary from the experiences of others and could be influenced by factors such as your tolerance for fentanyl, metabolism, and overall health. Some clients spend an entire two weeks in detox, while others stay for a week or less.

    This chart highlights the typical detox timeline.

    Time Since Last Dose Symptoms
    First 3-6 hours As early as a couple of hours after your final dose of heroin, you’ll have moderate symptoms, like cravings and anxiety.
    First 24-48 hours During the first couple of days, mild, flu-like symptoms, such as sweating, a runny nose, and chills, may occur.
    First 3-6 Days Intense symptoms, like vomiting, tremors, and increased heart rate, usually peak during this stage.
    First 7 to 14 days Within two weeks, your short-term withdrawal symptoms will start to subside, and you’ll adjust to life without opioids.

    The majority of people who detox from opioids like fentanyl go through some symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These symptoms are typically more psychological in nature, and the exact timeline is more ambiguous. Symptoms often come in waves; they can continue to occur months or even years after fentanyl detox.

    Common symptoms of PAWS are:

    • Brain fog or trouble thinking things through
    • Irritability, aggression, or hostility
    • Intense mood swings
    • Cravings for heroin
    • Sensitivity to stress
    • Poor impulse control
    • Trouble focusing
    • Poor memory
    • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and vivid dreams
    • Anxiety or depression

    Dangers of At-Home Fentanyl Detox

    Although most symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal aren’t fatal in and of themselves, it isn’t advisable to detox on your own. Symptoms can become severe quickly and lead to intense health issues.

    5 dangers of trying to detox from heroin at home include:

    1. Feelings of depression or suicidal ideation
    2. Panic attacks and feelings of extreme anxiety
    3. Delusions or hallucinations
    4. Severe dehydration
    5. Heart palpitations and other cardiac complications

    Fentanyl overdose is another major concern for people trying to detox at home. If you return to use during your detox period, your tolerance level could be lower than it was. This means that returning to your regular dose could put you at risk of an overdose.

    The 3 most common symptoms of an opioid overdose include:

    1. Nodding in and out of consciousness.
    2. Stopped or slowed breathing.
    3. Pinpoint (extremely small) pupils.

    Clammy, blue-tinted skin and gurgling noises are two more common signs of an overdose. A fentanyl overdose is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention and can cause brain damage, organ failure, or even death. If you are concerned that you or someone you’re with is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately.

    fentanyl detox | IMG 4967

    Treatment After Detox In Tampa Bay

    At Real Recovery Solutions, treatment doesn’t stop after detox. You have a variety of continuing treatment options designed to meet your unique needs.

    Our ongoing treatment options include:

    Carlos Escobar, Clinical Director

    As the Clinical Director at Real Recovery Solutions, Carlos Escobar leverages over 15 years of experience in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, focusing on therapies like CBT and REBT to foster client self-understanding and acceptance. His commitment to innovative, personalized care aims to profoundly improve the lives of those battling addiction and related mental health challenges.

    See What Our Residents Have to Say About Real Recovery

    We believe that everyone that wants to get sober should have the opportunity to do so in a safe, clean, and respectable environmen.

    Treatment For Fentanyl Addiction at Real Recovery Solutions in Tampa

    Beginning treatment for fentanyl use disorder or reengaging with the process after returning to use is a huge decision. Making that commitment is a massive step forward, and at Real Recovery Solutions, we’ll support you at every stage of your recovery journey, beginning with detox.

    If you or a loved one area living in the Tampa Bay Area, and you’re ready to take the next step with fentanyl addiction treatment, we’re here to help you make your goals into reality.

    At Real Recovery Solutions, we’re proud to combine 12-step programming with evidence-based therapeutic care and hands-on treatment options. Our caring, world-class staff is ready to work with you today. Reach out today through our website or call us at 813-373-6762.