Do you or a loved one have an addiction to fentanyl? Are you looking for answers regarding this struggle? One of the most common questions is: how long does fentanyl stay in your system?
Fentanyl is a prescription medication; it’s a synthetic opioid that has become increasingly popular as a recreational drug over the last few years. It’s 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, making it both more effective in relieving pain and more dangerous when misused. While its medical uses are legitimate, its high potential for abuse and the risk of an overdose make it a serious health concern.
Here, you can learn about how long fentanyl can be detected with a urine test, blood test, or hair test. We’ll also cover what exactly fentanyl is, why it can be dangerous, and how Northern Illinois Recovery can help someone recover from this addiction.
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What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful opioid analgesic, that can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Medical professionals primarily use it to treat severe pain after surgery or for people with chronic pain who need high-dosage opioid medications. While fentanyl is a legitimate medical tool, the dangers associated with its misuse and abuse make it an incredibly dangerous drug.
When used illicitly, the drug is typically a white powder and can be taken orally, snorted, smoked, or injected. It usually begins working within minutes. The user may experience feelings of euphoria and sedation as well as pain relief. If taken in large doses or used for long periods of time, tolerance can quickly build up, causing one to repeatedly increase the dosage in order to achieve the same desired effects.
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?
Fentanyl stays in your system for 24 hours in blood, 24-72 hours in urine (96 hours for norfentanyl), and up to 3 months in hair. Times vary based on metabolism and usage.
If you or a loved one have been using fentanyl, it’s important to know how long it stays in the body and when it will no longer show up in different types of tests. This is especially important if you are concerned about being tested for drugs at work or by the government. The length of time that fentanyl stays in your system depends on several factors, such as your metabolism, age, and amount of drug used.
When seeking opioid addiction rehab for fentanyl abuse, knowing these factors can help ensure that any drug test results accurately reflect current levels of consumption.
How Is Fentanyl Tested?
Fentanyl can be found in your system at a variety of times and there are several tests for detecting it.
In a urine test, fentanyl can usually be detected up to four days after the last use. This is because most of the drug is passed out of the body through urine or feces. Positive outcomes may last for up to seven days for chronic users.
A blood test can detect fentanyl anywhere between 5 and 24 hours after the last dose you took. However, blood testing won’t reveal whether you’re an addict or not. Blood tests are typically not used to detect long-term use of opioids because they only look for substances that are still active in the bloodstream at the time of testing. It’s also more expensive than other types of tests and takes longer to process.
Hair tests are one of the most accurate methods for detecting fentanyl use over an extended period of time—usually up to 90 days from when the sample was taken. The detection window for hair tests depends on the length of hair tested (usually 1 inch on average). Since hair grows slowly, a longer strand can detect drug use from as far back as three months prior, but shorter strands may only detect drug use from within the last month or two.
The Effects of Fentanyl on Your Body and Mind
Fentanyl is a powerful drug that can have both short-term and long-term effects. The short-term effects are typically related to the euphoria felt when the drug is taken as your body releases endorphins. However, it can also be accompanied by negative effects including:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Breathing Difficulties
The prolonged use of fentanyl can also cause physical and mental dependence. That means if you use fentanyl for an extended period of time, your body may become tolerant to it. To achieve the same results, you will look and take more. This is known as opioid tolerance, the most commonly known long-term side effect.
When you’re dependent on tracking down and using fentanyl, you may start to neglect other areas of your life. This includes overlooking your obligations in work, relationships, family, etc. Additionally, you may experience disrupted sleep patterns and a loss of appetite, which can both negatively impact your general health and well-being. Other long-term effects include confusion, decreased consciousness, coma, and even death. These effects can even be worsened when taken together with other drugs like alcohol or benzodiazepines.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to fentanyl, seek help from Northern Illinois Recovery immediately! With the support of our addiction treatment program, you can get your life back on track.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
When an individual stops using drugs, the body will need time to recover. This results in withdrawal symptoms. Opiate withdrawals may include the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Muscle pain
- Excessive perspiration
- Diarrhea
- Breathing depression
- Respiration stopping
- Dilated eyes
- Rapid heartbeat
Treatment Options for Fentanyl Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, it’s important to know that there’s help available. Seek professional help as soon as possible. Here are some of the common treatments for fentanyl addiction:
Various medications may be used in the treatment of opioid addiction and can help reduce cravings and prevent relapse. These may include buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone. All of these medications are approved by the FDA to treat opioid use disorder. Medically assisted detox involves controlled usage of these FDA-approved medications. Through a detox program, you can receive help in tapering off and quitting your fentanyl addiction.
Behavioral therapies are an important part of treatment for opioid use disorder. These therapies can help individuals develop the skills to cope with triggers, navigate, and avoid relapse. Common therapies for opioid use disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management (CM), which uses rewards to reinforce positive behaviors, and motivational interviewing (MI).
Inpatient addiction treatment involves staying at a residential facility where you can receive 24-hour medical and psychological support. Outpatient addiction treatment allows you to live at home and attend therapy sessions and support groups on a regular basis.
It’s also important to ensure that individuals receive proper medical care throughout their treatment process. Aftercare planning is a process that takes place during addiction treatment to develop a plan for ongoing support and care after treatment ends. Aftercare planning is a critical component of addiction treatment, as it can help individuals maintain their sobriety and prevent relapse.
Fentanyl and Abuse
When you hear “fentanyl,” one of the first things that come to mind is abuse. The truth is, fentanyl was designed in a lab and has become a popular substance of abuse due to its high potency and fast-acting effect, which could be particularly dangerous.
Dangers of Fentanyl Abuse
The extreme potency of fentanyl means it can lead to an overdose, even when used in small amounts. It is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, and only two milligrams can be deadly. Fentanyl affects both your body and mind, leading to feelings of happiness, relaxation, and sedation. However, it can also cause difficulty breathing, confusion, nausea, dizziness, and unconsciousness.
Despite these dangers, fentanyl continues to be a popular substance of abuse among individuals seeking a powerful “high.” It’s important for people to understand the risks associated with this drug and know that there are options available for those who are struggling with addiction. Northern Illinois Recovery provides a comprehensive recovery program that can help individuals break free from one of the most dangerous drugs on the market today.
Medical Uses for Fentanyl
Although fentanyl is abused for its powerful effects, it does have valid medical uses, such as treating cancer pain or providing relief from other types of chronic pain that are not responsive to other treatments.
Fentanyl is available as a skin patch, lollipop, buccal tablet, injection, or nasal spray. Depending on the person’s needs, the dose can range from a small dose taken every few hours to up to 12 times the amount allowed by law in one day. The effects usually last anywhere from four to six hours and can be felt within minutes when taken as an injection, implant, or patch. Fentanyl must be taken exactly as prescribed in order to be effective.
Get the Best Northern Illinois Recovery Programs
At our illinois drug rehab center, we understand the unique challenges presented by fentanyl abuse and addiction. Our team of licensed professionals has the knowledge and expertise to provide comprehensive treatment plans tailored to your individual needs. Contact us and get the best recovery programs that will help you recover from this powerful opioid!
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
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