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Opiate detox is not an option but an absolute necessity for fentanyl dependent users. At Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC), the substance use disorders (SUD) treatment team understands the damage that synthetic opioids like fentanyl are doing nationwide. Indeed, once a hospital recovery drug used only under the care of medical professionals, fentanyl is now a common illegal drug on the street. Fifty to a hundred times stronger than morphine or heroin, fentanyl is the dark engine behind the opioid overdose crisis. Such an engine makes access to opiate detox a top priority.

Indeed, such a conclusion is now a full-blown reality, with the United States hitting a new high for accidental drug overdoses in 2021. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Provisional data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate that there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 12-month period ending in April 2021, an increase of 28.5% from the 78,056 deaths during the same period the year before.”

Fentanyl Makes Opiate Detox a Top Priority

There is a real challenge when it comes to treating fentanyl dependent users. For these users, withdrawal symptoms kick in quickly within twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the last dose. Although peak withdrawal symptoms last only for seven to ten days, post-acute withdrawal symptoms can linger for months after stopping. Given such a challenge, effective opiate detox is a top priority.

Since the development of opioid withdrawal management drugs, TTC has been at the forefront of research and medical administration. As a Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) provider, we focus on helping fentanyl dependent users recover. By providing MAT Services for both initial withdrawal management and extended recovery support, TTC addresses the problem head-on.

Buprenorphine Induction and Opiate Detox

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains that “Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. It produces effects such as euphoria or respiratory depression at low to moderate doses. With buprenorphine, however, these effects are weaker than full opioid agonists such as methadone and heroin. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine is safe and effective.”

As one of the most effective medications, buprenorphine works in practice. “Buprenorphine Induction for Fentanyl Dependent Opioid Users” examines the proposal that normative buprenorphine levels are inadequate for fentanyl dependent users. Thus, higher levels are a necessity at the start of treatment. Given the power of fentanyl, these users are more resistant to the opioid antagonist, and buprenorphine is less effective.

Therefore, the study authors believe that “if buprenorphine cannot be initiated for a given patient, a full opioid agonist, namely methadone, may be the best first step, suggesting methadone as a first-line treatment for those dependent on fentanyl and other high potency synthetics. Methadone administration is currently restricted to specially licensed opioid treatment programs.”

Opiate Detox and Tarzana Treatment Centers

As a licensed opioid treatment program for opiate detox, methadone is available at Tarzana Treatment Centers. Rather than rely on any medication for addiction treatment, we focus on multiple options to help people recover. Thus, our treatment methods are based on individual needs and not a blanket approach.

To understand how we can help fentanyl dependent users, please contact us today to learn more about TTC’s opiate detox program.