Fentanyl Addiction Treatment That Helps You Move Forward Safely

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than morphine.[1] In clinical settings, it may be prescribed for chronic severe pain management, usually after surgery.

Fentanyl works by attaching itself to specific opioid receptors in the brain and throughout the body, the receptors that regulate pain relief, reward and pleasure responses, breathing patterns, and sedation.[2] When ingested, fentanyl produces a high that includes feelings of calmness, euphoria, and drowsiness. It can also cause side effects such as confusion, nausea, constipation, and sluggish breathing or respiratory failure, which is one of the primary causes of fatal overdoses related to fentanyl.

However, the fentanyl addiction seen in most treatment centers is not due to this type of fentanyl, but to the illicit fentanyl manufactured on the street and supplying the drug trade. Because fentanyl is so potent, tolerance to it builds very quickly, leading to dependence and addiction.

Fentanyl is also seen contaminating the illicit drug supply and showing up in other drugs, often without the users’ awareness. Because only a small amount of fentanyl can be dangerous, this increases the risk of accidental overdose dramatically. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl contribute to nearly 70% of overdose deaths nationwide.[3]

This same potency and dependence also makes fentanyl dangerous to quit without support. Users may experience cravings immediately after discontinuing the medication, and since tolerance fades quickly, returning to one’s normal dose even after a few days of abstinence considerably raises the risk of overdose

Fentanyl Addiction and Abuse

Fentanyl addiction is considered a form of opioid addiction.

Because of fentanyl’s potency, dependence happens fast for many people, and over time, the brain adjusts to repeated use, relying on the drug to produce or regulate its effects.

As tolerance grows higher and higher, a person using fentanyl will start using more fentanyl, at first to achieve the same effect as a smaller dose used to have and, later, to not feel withdrawal symptoms. This is one reason why fentanyl addiction is a difficult cycle to break.

Some people start their substance use directly with fentanyl, but many others start with prescription opioids like OxyContin, before eventually switching to fentanyl when their medication isn’t enough to give them the effect they want. Because fentanyl contamination is growing increasingly more common, others unknowingly ingest it when purchasing counterfeit medications or pills.

The risks related to fentanyl consumption extend beyond physical health. They may also negatively impact mental health, relationships, employment, school, finances, and safety.

Signs indicating a potential fentanyl addiction include:

• Strong cravings between doses
• Continued use just to avoid withdrawal symptoms
• Drowsiness, confusion, or nodding off
• Small pupils
• Slowed breathing
• Impaired coordination
• Using opioids despite health, legal, financial, or relationship problems
• Needing higher amounts to get the same effect
• Spending significant time getting, using, or recovering from opioids
• Withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop or reducing dosage
• Overdose or near-overdose incident, especially if naloxone was needed

Addiction to fentanyl does not mean someone lacks resolve or strength. Addiction is a disease and, like many other diseases, with proper treatment and support systems in place, it can be successfully treated.

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