The Effects of Fentanyl Abuse
How Do People Use Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is part of a class of synthetic opioids similar to morphine, but it is up to 100 times as potent. Prescription fentanyl is used to treat severe pain after surgery or for intense chronic pain caused by cancer and other illnesses, with brand names including Sublimaze, Actiq, and Duragesic. It is administered by a patch on the skin, a lozenge that can be sucked on, or an injection.
To contact DayBreak Treatment Solutions for more information on addiction treatment, call (954) 953-4864.
Fentanyl is also made and used illegally in drug labs, as an illicit drug, and this can be found in powder form, dropped onto blotter paper, in liquid form in a nasal spray or eye dropper, or it is made into pills to be ingested. It can be snorted, smoked, swallowed, or injected, and people may even smoke or chew prescription patches. Common street names for this drug are China Town, China Girl, Murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash, and Apache.
Drug dealers will also mix fentanyl into other street drugs to increase their profit margin, due to its potency, a dangerous practice as it increases the chance of overdose, especially if the person is not aware that they are taking the drug.
Fentanyl Effects
As Fentanyl binds to the body’s opioid receptors, it acts on pain receptors, as well as emotional responses. Abuse of fentanyl has other effects including:
- Slurred speech
- Euphoria
- Constricted pupils
- Drowsiness
- Relaxation
- Stomach issues
- Sweating
- Slowed breathing
- Opiate addiction
Risks of Fentanyl Abuse
One of the biggest risks when it comes to fentanyl and other prescription opioids is the potential for abuse and drug addiction. Fentanyl is incredibly addictive, and if you are abusing fentanyl, you may find you soon become dependent on the drug just to get through the day without suffering the effects of fentanyl withdrawal like:
- Muscle and bone pain
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms
- Sleep problems
- Cold flashes and goosebumps
- Severe cravings
Overdosing on fentanyl is frighteningly easy because it is so strong. Even if you take another person’s prescription and know the dose, you can still overdose, because everybody reacts differently to this drug. Mixing fentanyl with alcohol and other substances can increase the risk of overdose death. Signs of fentanyl overdose include:
- Unconsciousness
- Snoring
- Turning blue (especially inside the lips and the fingertips)
- Shallow breathing or no breath
- Weak or no pulse
If you suspect a person has overdosed, call 911 and get them medical attention as quickly as possible, then provide Naloxone.
Nobody means to become addicted to drugs, but substance use disorders can affect anybody. If you believe you may have a fentanyl use disorder, it may be time to seek professional treatment so you can take back control over your life.
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Daybreak West Palm Beach
At the DayBreak recovery center, we offer a full spectrum of treatment plans and options so we can meet you where you are in your addiction treatment, customizing your program to best suit your needs. We have inpatient and outpatient rehab programs like a partial hospitalization program and an intensive outpatient program. Our staff is caring and nonjudgmental, and is made up of accredited medical professionals, therapists, and other care providers who use trauma-informed methods of care.
The addictions we treat alongside addiction to fentanyl include alcohol addiction, prescription drug addiction, opioid addictions, and illicit drug addiction (cocaine, meth, etc.). Through our integrated programs that combine behavioral therapy, medication assisted treatment (MAT) plans for detoxing safely, holistic treatment approaches, group therapy, family therapy and individual counseling.
We also have dual diagnosis treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues common alongside drug and alcohol abuse.
If you want to learn about how to pay for treatment for fentanyl abuse and addiction, if you have a loved one who has symptoms of abuse, if you are ready to enter fentanyl addiction treatment or if you have any questions about drug rehab or our addiction treatment centers call our team today at (844) 695-0083.
References:
Fentanyl FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
WHY CHOOSE DAYBREAK FOR ALCOHOL DETOX WEST PALM BEACH
If you are interested in the types of treatment we offer for you or one of your loved ones regarding issues with drugs or alcohol, give us a call today. We have many options for substance abuse treatment for people who are struggling with being addicted to alcohol or other substances. At DayBreak, our goal is to help as many people on their addiction recovery journey as possible.