Together We Can Break the Cycle
Fentanyl Detox

Are you or someone you love considering a fentanyl detox? At CuraSouth we understand how agonizing fentanyl withdrawal can be — the hot-cold flashes,  gooseflesh, restlessness, twitchy legs, stomach cramps, body aches, mental anguish — the symptoms make quitting feel impossible. The key to overcoming this obstacle is a medication assisted medical detox. At CuraSouth we make fentanyl withdrawal as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Clients detox in a comfortable, supportive, homestyle environment. Beyond physical stabilization, CuraSouth emphasizes the importance of developing a hopeful path forward in recovery. At CuraSouth we first provide a safe, pain-free detox, then we get to work putting together a plan for longterm sobriety. We perform an in-depth initial evaluation and tailor a treatment plan unique to each client’s needs and recovery goals. We introduce our clients to the 12-steps, begin therapy and offer holistic treatments like acupuncture, meditation and yoga. Every client leaves with a firm foundation on which to build their ongoing recovery.

More About Fentanyl

Fentanyl is an extremely potent and habit-forming synthetic opioid, one that is estimated to be between 50 and 100 times more powerful than morphine. This specific chemical substance has repeatedly made headlines in recent years, seeing as it is responsible for a significant amount of the opioid-related overdose deaths that take place on an annual basis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 70,630 Americans lost their lives to drug overdose in the year 2019. Of the reported deaths, 36,359 were directly attributed to synthetic opioids — predominantly fentanyl. This number increased from the previous year, which saw around 31,000 deaths directly attributed to synthetic opioid abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths increased 10 percent from 2017 to 2018 as well, and accounted for roughly 67 percent of all opioid-related deaths that occurred in 2018. Fentanyl abuse is a rapidly worsening problem and a major public health threat.

The good news is that numerous recovery-related resources and treatment options are available to those who need them. At CuraSouth we remain dedicated to providing the most comprehensive and individualized clinical care available. Our fentanyl detox program is highly integrated, and tackles the physical, mental and emotional implications of fentanyl dependence simultaneously. The level of care we consistently provide cannot be found in any state-run detox facility or traditional hospital setting.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II prescription drug under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This means that while it does have some acknowledged medical uses, it has an extremely high potential for abuse and can easily lead to physical and psychological dependence. When used in a medical setting fentanyl is prescribed for the treatment of moderate or severe pain that cannot be easily treated with less invasive methods. When prescribed by a medical professional the drug can be administered intravenously (in the form of an injection) or applied topically in the form of a patch. In some cases, fentanyl is administered in a lozenge form and ingested orally. Many heroin dealers use fentanyl illegally, cutting heroin with the potent synthetic opioid in order to increase its potency and street value. However, ingesting even slightly too much of the chemical substance can easily lead to fatal overdose.

If you or someone you love has been grappling with fentanyl abuse or addiction, contact us today. We are available 24/7 to help get you or your loved one started on his or her personal journey of fentanyl addiction recovery, no matter how severe associated symptoms have become.

Fentanyl Addiction
Signs & Symptoms

While symptoms of abuse vary on a person-to-person basis, there are several telltale signs to keep an eye out for.

Signs and symptoms associated with fentanyl abuse and dependence include:

• Attempting to obtain fentanyl illegally
• Ingesting fentanyl in ways other than as prescribed, like opening up a topic patch in order to consume the contents (for example) 
• Continuing to use fentanyl despite a wide range of personal consequences
• Experiencing financial or legal issues as a direct result of fentanyl use
• An ongoing desire to cut back or quit entirely, coupled with an inability to do so 
• An increase in risk-taking behaviors, like driving while under the influence or engaging in illegal activities in order to support the habit
• Developing a physical tolerance over time, meaning a higher dosage is required in order for the effects to be felt 
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when fentanyl use is suddenly stopped 

Fentanyl Withdrawal
Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal are often not life-threatening, but they can be severely uncomfortable and can easily lead to relapse when left untreated.

Symptoms of Fentanyl withdrawal include:

• Excessive yawning, watery eyes and a runny nose 
• Stomach cramping 
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Restlessness and irritability 
• Night sweats and chills throughout the day 
• Rapid heart rate 
• Increased blood pressure 
• Insomnia and other disruptions to sleep patterns 
• Uncontrollable shaking and body tremors 
• Intense psychological drug cravings

Is Medical Detox Necessary For Fentanyl Withdrawal?

When it comes to fentanyl dependence, medically monitored detox is always a necessary first step on the long-term road of recovery. As previously mentioned, the physical symptoms associated with fentanyl withdrawal are not typically life-threatening. However, the psychological symptoms frequently lead to relapse unless an individual is being closely monitored in a secure and safe environment. At CuraSouth we are dedicated to providing a pain-free withdrawal experience, treating all physical symptoms as they arise and treating psychological issues accordingly.

Fentanyl Detox
Treatment Options

When it comes to a safe and effective fentanyl withdrawal, a combination of treatment methods are typically employed. At CuraSouth we perform an in-depth physical, psychological and psychosocial evaluation upon admission to our detox program. This helps us ensure that each individual client is paired with a uniquely developed treatment plan that meets all of his or her personal clinical needs. In the majority of cases, short-term medication assisted treatment is beneficial.

We utilize the following medications as part of our fentanyl detox program:

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone and Subutex)
• Antidepressants 
• Anti-anxiety medications 
• Non-narcotic pain relievers 
• Sleep aids 

When it comes to fentanyl withdrawal, tapering is also beneficial. Tapering off of opioids is a long-term process, and one that must be overseen by a licensed medical professional.

As a client tapers off of fentanyl he or she is monitored for the following:

• Changes to heart rate or blood pressure
• Regularly checking temperature to ensure it remains stable
• >The presence of any other physical symptoms that could lead to health-related complications 
• The presence of any new or worsening psychological symptoms 

We also offer a range of therapeutic services including individual and group therapy, case management services, 12-step program education, relapse prevention training and personalized aftercare planning.

Our Simple Admissions Process

At CuraSouth we believe that effective medical detox services should be readily available to those in need. We understand how severe fentanyl addiction can become over a short period of time, and we know that seeking professional intervention is often a matter of life and death. If you or someone you love has been suffering from a fentanyl abuse disorder of any severity, we are available to help. The moment you or your loved one picks up the phone and calls us we begin by conducting a brief and informative pre-assessment which takes place over the phone and concludes in a matter of minutes. This pre-assessment helps our clinical and medical professionals determine which detox methods are going to be the most effective for each unique case. Next we help you to determine coverage options. Because our main priority is ensuring that our services are easily accessible, we work closely with most major regional and national health insurance providers. If you or your loved one is currently insured there is a good chance that some or all of our fentanyl detox services are covered. If you or your loved one is uninsured we offer a range of additional options, including self-pay and private pay. We then set a date and a time for intake and help arrange transportation if necessary.

Fentanyl addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease, and without professional intervention the associated symptoms only continue to worsen over time. The good news is that with the right tools in place, long-term recovery is always possible — and CuraSouth is available to help. To get started or for more information on our comprehensive medical fentanyl detox program contact us today, we are available to help you 24/7.