Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl addiction is an incredibly dangerous disease affecting countless lives each year. As an incredibly powerful synthetic opioid, fentanyl has damaging effects on those who abuse it, as well as their communities and the people around them.
If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl addiction, it is important to understand how this addictive drug works and what your options are in terms of treatment and recovery.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a potent drug in the opioid family that leads to a quick onset of fentanyl addiction. In fact, it’s so powerful that it’s used in clinical settings as pain medication for serious illnesses, including cancer. Its strength is roughly 100 times greater than morphine, which is itself intense enough to be administered for heart attacks and end-of-life care. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical use, but illicit fentanyl also exists. In particular, illegal drug labs create recreational fentanyl. However, the sale of pharmaceutical fentanyl for pleasure use also happens.
Fentanyl can be consumed in multiple ways, including smoked or snorted (pills, powder), inserted (liquid), or worn (fentanyl patches). Due to its sedative effects, fentanyl creates a high, but with feelings of relaxation, “chilling out,” and euphoria. Fentanyl has greatly contributed to the opioid crisis. Illegal drug producers like to lace substances with fentanyl because of how cheap and available it is. As a result, people often end up accidentally taking fentanyl, such as with another opioid like heroin. And since fentanyl is so potent, uninformed ingestion of the drug can lead to dangerous overdoses. Many people are facing a fentanyl addiction that can ruin their lives.
What Is Fentanyl Addiction?
Many people abuse fentanyl and have developed an addiction. The exact numbers are hard to pinpoint since it’s so often cut with other drugs in an undocumented way. However, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often laced with other opioids. In the U.S. alone, 3 million people struggle with, or are recovering from, opioid abuse. An estimated 16 million people worldwide are in the same situation. In 2019, almost 600,000 people died from drug overdoses, and almost 80% were due to opioid use. Truly, the numbers are frightening. Considering that fentanyl use is on the rise, it’s imperative that people are informed about the dangers of fentanyl addiction.
Addiction to opioids occurs over time but quickly. The more one uses fentanyl, the higher their tolerance will be, and they’ll crave more. Essentially, the science behind fentanyl addiction centers around brain receptors called G protein-coupled receptors. Opioids bind to them and activate the calming and euphoric effects. Over time, the brain adapts and craves more fentanyl more often. This is how addiction is formed in a short amount of time. There are some general signs that a person is addicted to fentanyl that should be carefully considered.
If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl abuse, please reach out for help today.
What Causes Fentanyl Addiction?
The cause of fentanyl addiction varies, often involving a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental elements. Certain individuals may possess a higher susceptibility to developing fentanyl addiction compared to others, influenced by various factors such as:
- Genetic makeup
- Family history of substance abuse
- Personal history of substance abuse
- Level of dependence on fentanyl
- Whether fentanyl was mixed with other drugs
- Length of time abusing fentanyl
- Presence of mental health disorders
- Underlying physical health conditions like chronic pain
Depending on these factors, individuals may be more susceptible to developing an addiction to fentanyl. Other factors, such as peer pressure and societal influence, can play a role as well.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction?
Each person who receives treatment will have a different experience of addiction, even if they’re struggling with the same substance. This is because fentanyl’s effect on people depends on a variety of factors. However, fentanyl addiction tends to follow common physical, behavioral, and psychological signs.
Fentanyl addiction may involve physical symptoms such as:
- Constricted pupils
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Drowsiness or lethargy
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Confusion or mental clouding
- Impaired coordination or motor skills
- Skin problems, such as itching or rashes
- Slowed breathing
Fentanyl addiction may also be characterized by behavioral symptoms, including:
- Taking more fentanyl than prescribed or for longer than prescribed.
- Using fentanyl in a way not prescribed, such as injecting or snorting them.
- Needing to use fentanyl to get through the day.
- Continuing to use fentanyl despite negative consequences, such as legal trouble, relationship problems, or job loss.
- Preoccupation with fentanyl, such as spending a lot of time thinking about them or obtaining them.
- Valuing fentanyl over responsibilities and relationships
- Hiding fentanyl use from others
- Stealing money to pay for fentanyl
Fentanyl addiction may also be characterized by psychological symptoms, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
If you recognize any of these signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to seek professional help. Fentanyl abuse is incredibly dangerous and can lead to overdose and death. With proper support and treatment, you can beat your addiction to fentanyl.
If you or a loved one are suffering from fentanyl addiction, please contact the team at Royal Life Center for assistance in entering professional treatment.
Fentanyl Addiction Facts & Statistics
Fentanyl was created in 1959 and first used in medical communities in 1960. It started becoming exceedingly available on the streets in 2013, and fentanyl overdoses increased. In fact, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), over 136 Americans die from opioid use every day. It doesn’t take much to overdose on such a strong substance. As low as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can lead to overdose death. Even light usage of fentanyl has negative effects on one’s physical and mental health that can leave lasting effects.
Why Is Fentanyl Dangerous?
Fentanyl is a highly dangerous opioid that puts people at risk. As mentioned, fentanyl is extremely potent, so just a small amount has a great effect. Depending on individual factors, it could be much too strong for a person and put them at risk. Similarly, fentanyl is an incredibly powerful opioid, being 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. For this reason, the smallest miscalculation in dosage can result in a fatal overdose.
The Dangers of Illegal Fentanyl
A big danger of illicit fentanyl use is the threat of addiction and overdose. People who are addicted constantly need to take more. Fentanyl should only be used in a medical setting when prescribed by a licensed professional. As such, illicit fentanyl is a misuse of a powerful substance.
Additionally, people buying illegal forms of fentanyl don’t know whether the drug is laced with other substances. All opioids are dangerous, but when someone intends to take a specific dose of fentanyl and ends up taking too much, the risk of overdose is especially high.
Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
The Link Between Fentanyl Addiction and Mental Health Disorders
It’s important to realize that fentanyl affects all areas of a person’s life. The side effects of taking fentanyl can last for months or years, even after they reach sobriety. One such lingering effect is the way fentanyl exacerbates mental health disorders. People who take opioids often have mental illness. Markedly, opioids can both trigger mental issues and make preexisting ones worse. Comorbid substance abuse and mental disease is common for a few reasons. For one, people try to self-medicate the pain from their mental disorders with fentanyl. Also, taking fentanyl can trigger mood disorders like anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
Individuals dealing with comorbid opioid use disorder (OUD) and mental illness can spiral down a dangerous, unending path of addiction. In order to escape the cycle and start down the path of healing, they need to treat their co-occurring illnesses.
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When Do You Need Fentanyl Addiction Treatment?
Receiving help for your fentanyl addiction is the only way to overcome the cycle of higher dosage and withdrawal. You can overdose on fentanyl even if you aren’t addicted to the substance. Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous opioid drug that can quickly result in dangerous overdose symptoms like trouble breathing, slowing brain activity, and even coma and death.
With that said, here are signs that you may need fentanyl addiction treatment:
- Unable to control your fentanyl use, including taking more fentanyl than you intended, using fentanyl in ways that are not prescribed, or continuing to use fentanyl even though it is causing problems in your life.
- Fentanyl use is causing problems in your life, whether this be with your job, your relationships, or your health.
- Experiencing symptoms of fentanyl addiction and dependence.
- Withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce or stop taking fentanyl.
- Overdosed on fentanyl after taking too much of the drug.
When you are dependent on fentanyl and find yourself exhibiting signs of an addiction, it’s urgent that you receive treatment. Anyone who intentionally or accidentally takes illicit fentanyl put themselves at risk, but by the time they’re tolerant, it’s really dangerous. If you are in this situation, the time is now to receive help for your fentanyl addiction. Fortunately, receiving help is more available and accessible than ever before.
How Long Is Fentanyl Addiction Treatment?
The detoxification stage for fentanyl generally lasts a week. Guests need to remove the toxins from the drug and work through the standard withdrawal phases until they’re sober. After reaching sobriety, treatment can look different for different people. To explain, staying in recovery after detox is the best way to avoid falling into relapse. Guests can work through the inpatient and aftercare program steps to learn coping methods, relapse prevention plans, and self-reliance. If you are ready for recovery, know the length of the journey may vary. Depending on how you choose to proceed, fentanyl addiction treatment could last between a few weeks to a year.
Are you looking for help with addiction? Let us support you on the path to lasting recovery
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Options
When receiving care for fentanyl addiction, you have options for how your program can look. First, you will need to undergo detoxification to remove the substance from your body. Once you’ve reached sobriety, although you may have lingering symptoms, you’ll be able to think more clearly about your treatment. Your case manager will work with you to create a custom plan. From there, you can follow our program steps that take guests through the levels. They are residential inpatient, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient (OP).
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at
Royal Life Centers
We understand that life continues on even during addiction, so we make treatment convenient and approachable. For example, our program lengths are designed to give individuals the addiction recovery help they need but still move them forward to a full return to regular life.
At Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights, we provide treatment for addiction to help guests progress through their recovery until they’re ready to gain more autonomy. Throughout our full continuum of care, we provide the following treatment programs:
When you decide to seek treatment with us, our diverse and compassionate staff will work with you to build an individualized recovery plan that caters to each of your care needs.
At every stage of care, we prioritize holistic healing of the mind, body, and soul. To do so, we provide a comprehensive range of therapies, substance abuse training, wellness practices, and recovery resources. Above all, our team ensures that guests feel genuinely welcomed and valued as individuals, not defined by their addiction. Moreover, we are dedicated to equipping them with the necessary skills to successfully reintegrate into society, empowering guests to tackle challenging situations with resilience and determination.
When you decide to seek treatment for fentanyl addiction with us, our compassionate staff will work with you to build an individualized recovery plan that caters to your needs. Reach out to us to learn more about how our program can be a great fit for you.
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Washington
Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights is one of many Royal treatment facilities spanning Washington. We offer facilities for the early stages of detoxification and inpatient treatment, as well as for outpatient and aftercare. Guests can move between centers to continue their recovery and set themselves on a solid path to lasting sobriety.
Our fentanyl addiction treatment centers in Washington State include:
- Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights — Detoxification and Inpatient Treatment Center in Spokane, WA
- Royal Life Centers at Cascade Heights — Aftercare and Outpatient Treatment Center in Mead, WA
- Royal Life Centers at Puget Sound — Detoxification and Residential Inpatient Treatment Center in Sumner, WA
- Royal Life Centers at The Haven — Detoxification and Inpatient Treatment Center in Lacey, WA
- Royal Life Centers at Sound Recovery — Aftercare and Outpatient Treatment Center in Lacey, WA
For more information on our treatment centers and how you can get help today, call our 24/7 admissions team at 888-907-0898. We want to help you find your ideal fentanyl addiction recovery location.
Drug Overdose Death Rates – NCDAS
Facts About Fentanyl – United States Drug Enforcement Administration
Fentanyl – United States Drug Enforcement Administration
How Opioid Drugs Activate Receptors – National Institutes of Health
Morphine – National Library of Medicine
Looking for Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Services?
If you or someone you love is struggling with fentanyl addiction, please reach out to us to find out more about how our opioid detox services can help. We work with most private insurance policies and we have affordable self-pay rates if you do not have insurance. Give us a call and we will figure out the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.
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If you or someone you know has a substance use disorder, we hope you’ll begin your journey with us at Royal Life Centers.
