Fentanyl (an opioid painkiller) is a powerful drug that can be used for severe pain. Fentanyl may come in different formats. This could explain the high rate of dependence.
Treatment for fentanyl options might include withdrawal to treat withdrawal; live-in inpatient rehabilitation where patients can attend therapy programs while under supervision; medication-assisted treatments; and part-time outpatient programs that provide ongoing support.
Statistics Regarding Fentanyl Use/Abuse
Prescription-opioid pain relievers constitute one of America’s most widely abused drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2012, nearly 2 million people reported that they were used. Only 169,868 of them sought treatment, according reports.
Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl addiction might manifest as:
- Tolerance or the need for more to attain the same high
- Preoccupation with fentanyl using or obtaining
- Not quitting when you want to
- Exclude yourself from any social activities that involve fentanyl
Using Fentanyl Despite Its Negative Effects
Some people may become dependent on opioids, such as fentanyl because they have a genetic predisposition. This is the case with children of alcoholics. They are three to four times more likely to become dependent than an adult on a substance than children with nonalcoholic parents.
Others could be at higher risk due to their health. Some people misuse fentanyl and start using it to manage their pain. The effects of health issues on your body are not limited to the physical. You are more likely than others to resort to substance abuse to treat your mental health issues.
Dependency is partially psychological but most addicts see it as a physical issue. Neurological dysfunction is caused by the long-term use of fentanyl. After using opioids for long periods, the brain’s dopamine neurons start to fail.
Fentanyl Addiction Side Effects
The most common users of fentanyl are those who were given the drug to relieve pain. The drug may become addictive over time as users begin to abuse it by taking it more often than prescribed. This could lead to a false belief that it is more effective. Not only is it false, but this can also pose a danger to the user’s health. A user may abuse the pain relief effects, such as euphoria or sedation.
Many of these patients suffered from depressed breath, coma, loss of sensation, and pain. Others were victims of an accidental overdose of prescription opioids.
Side effects of fentanyl withdrawal include:
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Anorexia
- Diarrhea
- Elevated heartbeat
- Hypertension
- The steady rise in the respiratory rate
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Pupil dilation
Fentanyl Addiction Therapy Near Me & Option
There is no quick cure for fentanyl dependence. The process of getting back to normal won’t be easy. The average time it takes to recover from opioid dependency is at least one year. Most people in recovery choose medical maintenance programs with methadone or buprenorphine during this time.
