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Just last night, I saw a friend who I had not seen in months, and he said, “I’m starting over, today is my first day sober” - he was sweating and nervous - I immediately highly recommended and strongly suggested he go to detox. He was scared and at the same time confident he could detox on his own. I shared with him that earlier this year, a wife of a recovering alcoholic called me and before she could finish her sentence, I said, hang up on me and call 911 – she was reporting she hadn’t seen her husband in several months as he was traveling internationally for business and he’s been home 3 days and she was so proud that he wasn’t drinking and she couldn’t understand why he was having a seizure, well he had a seizure as he quit cold turkey without going to detox and he suffered a seizure and nearly died.

Starting treatment for opioid dependence can be challenging, especially when medications like buprenorphine or naloxone are involved. For many people, the biggest fear is precipitated withdrawal. Unlike natural withdrawal, this reaction comes on suddenly and can feel far more intense.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Originally developed for severe pain, it has also become a major factor in the rise of opioid overdoses in the United States. For individuals who develop an addiction to fentanyl, stopping use often results in intense and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Understanding the withdrawal symptoms of fentanyl, when they start, and how to safely manage them is key to successful recovery.

Benzodiazepines, also called “benzo or benzos”, are commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions. However, they also carry risks of physical dependence and challenging withdrawal experiences. Many people who suddenly stop taking benzodiazepines, especially after prolonged use or high doses, experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms.