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Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain after surgery. It is also commonly prescribed for cancer pain. The pharmaceutical version comes in the form of transdermal (skin) patches, lozenges, or “lollipops.”
Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. This increases a person’s risk for addiction and abuse. While prescription fentanyl is sometimes abused, most fentanyl-related deaths today are associated with fentanyl sold through the illegal drug market. Illegal fentanyl is often mixed with heroin or cocaine—unbeknownst to many users—to increase its euphoric effects.
In 2018 there were more than 31,000 deaths involving synthetic opioids, including fentanyl.
People who use fentanyl as prescribed for medical reasons may still experience some side effects, including constipation, diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and others. But they are usually manageable. When a person abuses fentanyl, side effects can become more severe and even dangerous.
Side effects of fentanyl abuse include:
Signs of fentanyl addiction (opioid use disorder) include taking more of the drug than you intended or for a longer period, taking the drug to get high, not being able to cut back or quit using the drug, having strong cravings to use fentanyl, continuing to use despite negative consequence—like losing your job or having trouble with relationships, developing a tolerance to the drug (physical dependence), experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug, and spending a significant portion of your time and money on using the drug, trying to get it, or recovering from use.
You can become addicted to fentanyl without being physically dependent on it or vice versa. Addiction means you feel a compulsive urge to use the drug. Fentanyl dependency means your body has come to rely on the drug to avoid uncomfortable fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, which can include restlessness, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, heavy breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, hallucinations, and others.
If you are struggling with fentanyl addiction or experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop taking it, it’s important to get help from a licensed addiction treatment center.
Adelante Recovery Center offers comprehensive addiction treatment for people struggling with fentanyl addiction as well as dual diagnosis programs for those who have co-occurring mental health issues.
Our luxury treatment centers in Corona del Mar is the ideal setting for healing and recovery. Individual counseling and group therapy form the core of our programs, but we allow plenty of time for restorative activities like yoga, beach walks, and hiking, and plenty of down time for reflection.
Our on-site medical doctor and certified addiction counselor will work together to create a tailored treatment plan for your specific needs—body, mind, and spirit. We do everything possible to keep you comfortable during fentanyl withdrawal treatment.
Recovery is possible at Adelante Recovery. Contact us today for Xanax addiction help and to learn more about our Southern California fentanyl drug rehab facilities.
If you or a loved one are in need of help with addiction, contact us today. Our professional and friendly addiction specialists are able to answer your questions and get things moving in the right direction.
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