Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

What is Fentanyl Addiction

From 2002 to 2017, there was a 22-fold increase in the total number of deaths involving Fentanyl and other synthetic Opioids. The CDC calls Fentanyl “the deadliest drug in America,” and it accounted for 28.8 percent of drug-related deaths in 2016, surpassing Heroin at 25.1 percent. 

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic Opioid that is 50 – 100 times stronger than morphine. It was initially created for pain management for cancer patients and meant to be used as a patch to slowly release the drug into the body. However, when sold illicitly, it can be in powder form, dropped on blotter paper, in eye droppers or nasal sprays, or made into pills that look like real prescription Opioids.

Because it is relatively inexpensive, Fentanyl is also being mixed and “cut” into other drugs, such as Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and MDMA, to create an extremely powerful compound. Users are often unaware of that what they are taking contains Fentanyl, leading to overdose and often death.

How Fentanyl Addiction Works

Like Heroin, Morphine, and other Opioid drugs, Fentanyl works by binding to the body’s Opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. After prolonged use, the brain adapts to the drug, limiting its effectiveness. The user requires more and more Fentanyl to get the same “initial rush” as the first time.  

When people become addicted, drug-seeking and drug use take over their lives. The effects of Fentanyl may include:

• Extreme happiness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Sedation
• Problems breathing
• Unconsciousness

Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal

Because of its potency, Fentanyl is extremely addictive. Even people who are using Fentanyl under the supervision of a doctor can develop a dependency. For addicts, withdrawal can be extremely difficult

Severe withdrawal symptoms may begin as early as a few hours after the drug was last taken. Some of these include:

• Muscle and bone pain
• Sleep problems
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Cold flashes with goosebumps
• Uncontrollable leg movements
• Severe cravings

With the help of medically-monitored Detox, addicts can manage their withdrawal symptoms in a safe and more comfortable environment. Coping with withdrawal makes it more likely that the patient will remain in treatment.