Fentanyl Detox

If you or someone you love is struggling with fentanyl use, safe medical care can make all the difference. At Sheridan Grove Recovery, we provide 24/7 medically supervised fentanyl detox in Aurora, Colorado, serving people across the Denver metro area.

Fentanyl withdrawal can begin quickly and become intense within hours. Our licensed Aurora detox center offers around-the-clock monitoring, medication support, and compassionate clinical care to help you stabilize safely. After detox, we guide you into the next stage of treatment.

The first day after stopping fentanyl use brings on flu-like symptoms, like runny nose and eyes. Sweating, yawning, and sleep loss are also normal. Joint, muscle, and headaches also usually set in quickly. Cravings also start early.

Symptoms peak within the first three days for most people detoxing from fentanyl. Blood pressure and heart rate usually rise. Some people feel agitated and even get a fever. Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting make it hard to eat or drink, which can cause dehydration. For some, blood pressure can drop. 

People who had a severe addiction to fentanyl can experience discomfort for a few weeks. As time goes by, physical symptoms become less intense, which makes cravings—which also diminish—easier to cope with.

Some people experience PAWS, though not everyone does. PAWS symptoms can last for a few months as the brain and body adjust to life without opioids. It usually involves less intense but persistent symptoms like: 

• Mood instability 
• Difficulty with memory or focus 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Periodic cravings 
• Increased stress sensitivity 

PAWS is a significant factor in relapse—ongoing therapy and participation in support groups can help manage this stage.

A medical detox for fentanyl provides safety, comfort, and structure during withdrawal. Because fentanyl acts quickly and powerfully, professional monitoring reduces complications and relapse risk.

Inpatient detox programs

Our inpatient detox program in Aurora provides:

• 24/7 medical oversight: Nurses and doctors are always on-site, able to immediately address severe symptoms like dehydration or cardiac changes. 
• Structured routines: Daily schedules include medication times, meals, hydration schedules, periodic health checks, and support groups. 
• Therapeutic activities: Evidence-based methods are available to process trauma, identify triggers, and prevent relapse. 
• Dual diagnosis screening: Assessments to identify any co-occurring mental health conditions, which contribute to addictive behaviors. 
• Transition planning: As symptoms subside, a counselor helps identify the next steps, whether that’s inpatient rehab, intensive outpatient care, or another type of treatment. 
• Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs): FDA-approved medications like Subutex, methadone, and Suboxone can help manage cravings, making it easier to focus on recovery

After detox, many clients transition directly into our inpatient addiction treatment program for continued stabilization.

MAT, or medication-assisted treatment, greatly reduces cravings for fentanyl. When someone has fewer cravings, they're less likely to relapse during detox. Medication-assisted treatment is not just replacing one addiction with another; it's a controlled, therapeutic, tapered approach to withdrawal management.

Common medications used

MAT is a standard opioid use disorder treatment, especially for fentanyl addiction. It blends medication to control withdrawal and cravings with therapy and educational support for a holistic approach. 

Medications include: 

• Buprenorphine: Reduces withdrawal symptoms and blocks the “high” from other opioids.  
• Methadone: Replaces illicit opioids with a safe, regulated dose administered in a clinic. Daily administration and the clinic structure help taper the dose down over time. 
• Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone): Buprenorphine reduces withdrawal symptoms, and naloxone blocks the effects of other opioids if used. 

Benefits of medication-assisted treatment

• Improved retention: Staying on an MAT plan lowers overdose and all-cause mortality risk. 
• Craving control: Medication reduces physical discomfort and suppresses cravings, allowing individuals to focus on therapy and life rebuilding. 
• Support for recovery: MAT is most effective when paired with counseling, life skills coaching, housing assistance, and employment support. States with broad MAT access and naloxone distribution have seen the largest drops in fentanyl-related deaths. 

At Sheridan Grove Recovery, MAT plans are carefully created, monitored, and adjusted by medical professionals. Our clinicians work with you to develop a personalized plan—adjusting medications to fit both your withdrawal experience and long-term goals.

Withdrawal management strategies 

During detox, your comfort and safety are our top priorities. We use a comprehensive strategy to help you manage all your symptoms: 

• Hydration: Nurses monitor your fluid intake and provide electrolyte drinks to combat dehydration—a major risk during withdrawal. 
• Nutrition: Our kitchen serves small, protein- and vitamin-rich meals. We offer food that's easy on the stomach to minimize nausea and provide needed energy.
• Movement and rest: Gentle movement (like short walks) helps reduce muscle pain, while rest is encouraged to allow your body to fully heal. 
• Comfort measures: Warm showers, relaxation and grounding techniques, and breathwork help manage stress and agitation. 
• Sleep support: Non-habit-forming sleep aids, a quiet environment, and sleep hygiene routines help restore sleep patterns disrupted by withdrawal.

Relapse prevention techniques 

Relapse prevention begins in detox and remains crucial long after withdrawal subsides. Personalized relapse prevention plans at Sheridan Grove Recovery include: 

• Trigger identification: You’ll work with clinicians to recognize situations, people, or emotions that could spark cravings. Proactive planning helps you harness avoidance or coping strategies.
• Coping skills: Practice deep breathing, mindfulness, journaling, or creative expression as outlets for stress and anxiety. 
• Peer support: Early participation in support groups and regular check-ins with counselors reinforce positive changes and provide a sounding board for difficult moments. 
• Emergency plans: Together, we develop crisis plans including trusted contacts, emergency phone numbers, and safe spaces in case of strong urges to use.

Not everyone is ready for complete abstinence immediately, and harm reduction can be a life-saving bridge to recovery. For those not ready to enter treatment, Colorado provides harm reduction services like: 

• Naloxone distribution: Free Narcan spray kits can reverse overdoses 
• Fentanyl test strips: Supplies to test substances for fentanyl contamination, potentially preventing accidental overdose 

Syringe access programs: Safe syringe exchange reduces the risk of HIV, hepatitis, and soft tissue infections

Many people living with fentanyl addiction also experience depression, anxiety, trauma, or PTSD. Treating these co-occurring disorders alongside addiction is crucial. 

• Integrated care: Mental health professionals and addiction specialists collaborate for assessment, diagnosis, and joint treatment planning. 
• Evidence-based therapies: Options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and medication management as needed.

Clients are encouraged to participate in a mix of counseling and peer support: 

• Individual therapy: Sets goals, builds trust, processes trauma, and develops personalized recovery strategies. 
• Group therapy: Provides a sense of belonging, reduces isolation, and enhances communication skills. 
• Community support groups: Resources like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), SMART Recovery, and faith-based recovery groups are available to sustain healing beyond treatment. 

How to respond to an overdose: 

1. Call 911 immediately. Most states, including Colorado, have “Good Samaritan” laws to protect you and the victim from prosecution for seeking help. 
2. Administer naloxone (Narcan). Use a Narcan kit (usually a nasal spray) according to the directions on the box. 
3. Perform rescue breathing if the person is not breathing or only gasping, aiming for 1 breath every five to six seconds. 
4. Place them in the recovery position (on their side) once they start breathing, and stay with them until help arrives. 

Prevention tips: 

• Carry naloxone: Many states require pharmacies to stock it with little or no co-pay, especially under Medicaid. 
• Don’t use alone: Encourage “never use alone” practices; hotlines and check-ins can save lives. 
• Test your supply: Fentanyl test strips can detect contamination and help people who use drugs make safer choices.

If you’re searching for a detox center near Aurora or Denver, Sheridan Grove Recovery offers 24/7 intake support and often same-day admissions.

Our admissions process is simple:

1. Call our team anytime
2. Verify Medicaid or insurance benefits
3. Complete a brief assessment
4. Arrive for admission, often the same day

Taking the first step can feel overwhelming—but help is available right now.