It’s not safe to go cold turkey with Fentanyl. The drug will lower a person’s respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure. If the drug is suddenly stopped, these systems can go haywire. People can experience a sudden increase in blood pressure, which can lead to strokes or heart attacks. Also, Fentanyl withdrawals come with a host of long-lasting emotional issues. Without assistance, people who try to quit cold turkey can experience dangerous side effects and are at increased risk of relapse and harm.
Medical detox is always recommended for drugs like Fentanyl. Doctors can get patients on a weaning off schedule, where they are given ever-decreasing doses of Fentanyl. Or, doctors can completely replace the drug with Buprenorphine/Naltrexone. Giving the body time to wean off an opioid will lessen the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms.