Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a potent medication that is derived from opioids, which are compounds that are employed to alleviate both acute and chronic pain. It is up to 100 times more powerful than other opioids, such as morphine, opium, or oxycodone.

Drug traffickers frequently sell fentanyl as a counterfeit version of oxycodone, which is a form of prescription fentanyl. Buyers may believe they are purchasing oxycodone; however, they are receiving an opioid medication that contains fentanyl and other substances. These substances are illicit drugs known by various names on the street, including:

beans
green apples
apples
greenies
eighties
shady eighties
fake oxy

Can Fentanyl Use Lead to Addiction?

Given the extensive media coverage regarding the high risk of overdose, it may appear unusual that an individual would intentionally consume fentanyl. Nevertheless, this phenomenon is not exclusive to fentanyl.

Addiction clinicians and public health researchers have long recognised that individuals who are substance-dependent are frequently not deterred by information regarding drug overdoses. In reality, the reverse occurs, as individuals who often end up with drug use or illicitly manufactured fentanyl lead to large quantities frequently attempt to achieve a more severe intoxication by consuming opioid drugs that are potent enough to induce overdoses.

Some individuals with opioid addiction interpret overdoses as indicators that drugs are accessible in their vicinity and could potentially induce a more potent high rather than as a warning of imminent peril. Regrettably, this same thought process is likely to be present in the intentional pursuit to use fentanyl by individuals. This is a serious concern, as public awareness and education initiatives are designed to inform individuals about the lethality if one were to take fentanyl to discourage their use. Nevertheless, these endeavours may unintentionally pique their curiosity and interest in the substance.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

Detox for Fentanyl

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Withdrawal may necessitate several weeks, contingent upon the severity of your condition. So that you may experience a more comfortable recovery process, professionals will administer medications to assist in the elimination of fentanyl from your body. The following medications are frequently employed to address narcotic addiction:

  • Buprenorphine
  • Naltrexone
  • Lofexidine hydrochloride

By either alleviating withdrawal symptoms or blocking opioid receptors to decrease the likelihood of relapsing, these medications can address fentanyl addiction. These medications, whether they are prescribed or available over-the-counter, can alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as:

  • stomach pains
  • diarrhoea
  • fever
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • flu-like symptoms
  • pain
  • sensitivity
  • irritability

Medications

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Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are the medications for opioid use disorder. These medications have the potential to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. They function by targeting one or more of the opioids’ cerebral targets. However, these medications are distinct in that they do not induce euphoria.

Some individuals are concerned that the use of methadone or buprenorphine indicates that they are substituting one addiction for another. However, it is not; these medications are a form of treatment. They restore equilibrium to the regions of the brain that have been impacted by addiction. This facilitates the healing of your brain as you strive for recovery.

Naltrexone operates in a manner that is distinct from buprenorphine and methadone. It does not alleviate withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Instead, it eliminates the euphoria that is typically associated with opioid use. Therefore, the purpose of naltrexone is to prevent a relapse rather than to attempt to wean oneself off narcotics.

Before administering naltrexone, it is necessary to abstain from drugs for a minimum of 7-10 days. Otherwise, you may experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

Counselling

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Fentanyl addiction treatment centres offer a variety of counselling methods to assist you in your recovery:

Motivational interviewing: Patients can enter treatment with a positive perspective on their rehabilitation by imagining the advantages of sobriety through motivational interviews.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT): In this form of individual treatment, specialists can assist you in identifying the potential causes of your fentanyl addiction and in acquiring the requisite coping skills to overcome it. Therapists can also help in the treatment of co-occurring mental health conditions that may exacerbate your substance use disorder.

Support groups: Support groups and group counselling provide a secure and confidential setting in which you can discuss your drug abuse with individuals who share your interests. In a support group, you will engage in a conversation regarding your objectives for recovery and assist others in recovering from the repercussions of addiction.

Inpatient Programme

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Intensive, inpatient care is typically required for individuals who are addicted to fentanyl. Inpatient programmes can assist patients in recovering from the effects of addiction and promoting their ongoing health and wellness, whether following medical detoxification or during the progressive withdrawal of the substance from their body.

During inpatient treatment, residents can concentrate solely on their recovery and sobriety, free from the interruptions of daily life. A typical day in residential treatment is meticulously organised and monitored. Psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists conduct individual and group consultations with patients to facilitate inpatient recovery. A typical inpatient programme lasts between 30 days and six months.

Signs of Fentanyl Addiction

The signs and symptoms associated with fentanyl abuse will differ from person to person; however, they may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Behavioural Symptoms:

  • Forging prescriptions to acquire fentanyl
  • Continuing to abuse fentanyl in defiance of the direct consequences of its use
  • Obtaining multiple prescriptions for fentanyl by visiting various physicians
  • Abandoning mundane obligations

Physical Symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Pupils that are constrained
  • Psychomotor retardation
  • Drowsiness

Cognitive Symptoms:

  • Difficulties with concentration
  • Memory problems
  • Impairment of judgement
  • Suicidal ideation

Side Effects of Fentanyl Use

Fentanyl may induce the following effects:

  • Euphoria
  • Nausea
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Unconsciousness
  • Fatal overdose

Opioid use disorder (OUD), the clinical designation for opioid addiction, can develop as a result of chronic fentanyl use.

Symptoms of Fentanyl Overdose 

The appearance of a fentanyl overdose is markedly distinct from that of a typical high. In the presence of opioids, individuals frequently exhibit a relaxed appearance, are prone to falling asleep readily, and exhibit speech slurring. However, individuals who are overdosed often appear more unconscious than calm.

Fentanyl, like other opioids, induces a predictable sequence of effects during an overdose. Therefore, the indicators are consistent regardless of whether the individual is overdosing on fentanyl, morphine, or heroin. A person who has overdosed on fentanyl may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Breathing that is erratic, shallow, sluggish, or completely halted
  • Unconsciousness, extreme lethargy, or difficulty rousing
  • Pupils that are diminutive and “pinpoint” in size
  • Weak pulse, which may be perceived as either sluggish or rapid
  • Vomiting
  • Breathing that produces gurgling or choking noises
  • An inert or limp appearance
  • A paler appearance
  • Skin that is chilly and clammy
  • Fingernails and lips that are blue

Opioid overdoses are hazardous due to the potential for the brain and other organs to be deprived of oxygen due to slowed respiration. The organism is incapable of sustaining itself for an extended period in the absence of oxygen. Long-term brain harm can occur despite a prompt response.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Fentanyl withdrawal is the process by which an individual who has developed a reliance on the substance discontinues or reduces its use. Fentanyl drug addiction indicates that the body has become accustomed to the drug’s presence and necessitates it to function correctly. Upon discontinuing fentanyl use, the body experiences a variety of withdrawal symptoms as it attempts to recalibrate as a result. The intensity and duration of these symptoms are contingent upon the individual’s overall health and the extent of their dependency.

A range of symptoms can be induced by fentanyl withdrawal, which can be classified into early and later stages:

Early Symptoms (within the first 24 hours):

  • Anxiety
  • Muscle pain
  • Runny nose
  • Excessive sweating
  • Insomnia

Later symptoms (following the initial 24 hours):

  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dilated pupils
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Elevated blood pressure

Have Your Fentanyl Addiction Treated at Sivana Rehab

If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulties with fentanyl use, assistance is available. Sivana Rehab is a facility that provides a variety of rehabilitation services. It has facilitated the recovery of numerous patients by employing individualised treatment plans and evidence-based treatments.

It is essential to seek out an accredited rehabilitation programme that offers a variety of treatment options, has a qualified staff, and provides aftercare services. If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Sivana Rehab today to learn about fentanyl and additional information regarding treatment for fentanyl addiction.