Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs. It is one of the primary causes of the opioid epidemic. This highly addictive substance is often used in medication-assisted treatment for drug addiction. It is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl addiction is a real problem for people in Michigan and all over the country. The drug is often used illegally or laced in other drugs, and when used recreationally, it is extremely dangerous. It can be deadly in small amounts if taken incorrectly or without the supervision of a medical professional. Fentanyl addiction is treatable, but it’s important to know what the signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction are so you can seek help before tragedy strikes.
How Fentanyl Addiction Occurs
Addiction to any substance is a process. It usually doesn’t happen overnight. Fentanyl is commonly prescribed by doctors to treat pain after surgery and in the management of chronic pain. A prescription from a doctor might be the first step on the path to addiction. As a result of the drug’s calming effect, the brain starts to crave more fentanyl. Tolerance to fentanyl increases, and a physical dependence can occur. It is also possible for a person to use fentanyl without even knowing it because it is added to other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills. Accidentally taking even a very small amount of fentanyl can be deadly, due to the drug’s potency. The effects of fentanyl are also very hard to predict, increasing the danger when it is used outside of a medical setting. Fentanyl addiction affects a person’s brain in such a way that it is nearly impossible for a person to quit without professional help.
Physical Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl is a depressant drug, and the physical effects that it has on the body are generally the first signs that someone is struggling with addiction. Symptoms can include pinpoint pupils, extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, slurred speech, and unexplained weight loss. People using fentanyl may also itch, sweat, or appear spaced out and uncoordinated. This is due to the drug’s effects on the central and respiratory systems. Respiratory depression means that breathing becomes very shallow and, in extreme cases, a person may stop breathing. Overdose is always a possibility, and often, an unintentional overdose, because it is difficult to predict how much of a drug a person has taken. A small miscalculation can lead to breathing failure. Over time, physical dependence on fentanyl results in a decline in physical health, fatigue, and weakness.
Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms
Drug addiction is not only physical. It also changes the way a person behaves and experiences emotions. Someone with a substance use disorder often isolates themselves from family and friends and begins to withdraw from the things they used to enjoy. Fentanyl addiction changes the brain’s chemistry, and the person who is using the drug can begin to experience depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. Some people lose interest in things that they once cared about, become defensive, or become secretive about their drug use. Behavioral changes are usually among the first things that friends and family notice. Absenteeism, spending money, and other suspicious behavior may accompany drug use. Work performance will likely decline, and a person may struggle with maintaining relationships because of fentanyl addiction, and its effects become their primary focus.
Mental and Psychological Symptoms
Mental and psychological symptoms can also be severe. Fentanyl changes the way the brain functions. When someone uses a drug, the brain reacts by creating a feeling of euphoria. The chronic use of a substance like fentanyl distorts this effect. As tolerance builds, it becomes more difficult for the brain to experience pleasure or release stress and anxiety. These issues only get worse over time. As addiction continues, people may experience depression, anxiety, guilt, confusion, and hopelessness. Some people who use fentanyl develop paranoia and begin to lose touch with reality. Without fentanyl, people may feel emotionally numb or flat and believe that they need the drug to feel any sort of emotion at all. This furthers dependence on the drug and makes quitting that much more difficult.
Withdrawal Symptoms and Physical Dependence
When a person who has a physical dependence on fentanyl stops using the drug, withdrawal symptoms will begin within a few hours. Withdrawal symptoms can be mild to severe and can include nausea, sweating, insomnia, muscle aches, tremors, and cravings. Withdrawal can be an extremely difficult emotional experience, with some people experiencing panic, agitation, depression, and anxiety. This is often one of the most significant reasons that people struggle to quit using fentanyl on their own. Medical detox can help by making withdrawal as safe and comfortable as possible. Detox should always be done in a medical setting where it can be closely monitored. A professional detox program not only keeps a person safe but also allows for a gentle detox and starts to heal the brain.
Why Treatment Is Important
Fentanyl is incredibly dangerous, and overdose can and does happen in a matter of seconds. Fentanyl is frequently laced in other drugs, and many people don’t even realize that the drug they are taking contains fentanyl. By the time a person realizes they have a problem, the addiction is usually quite severe. Early intervention can be the difference between life and death. Early intervention also provides people with the best chance of a full recovery. There are different levels of care that a person can enter to treat fentanyl addiction, including outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP). Liberty House Outpatient Center in Oakland County, Michigan, offers professional, compassionate care to people struggling with fentanyl addiction. Our treatment programs are tailored to the individual and treat every part of a person, mental, emotional, and physical.
Finding Recovery Through Outpatient Treatment
One of the benefits of outpatient programs, such as those at Liberty House, is that individuals can undergo treatment and recovery while also fulfilling their daily obligations, including work, school, or family commitments. Liberty House patients receive individualized care through therapy, counseling, and relapse prevention techniques tailored to each person’s specific situation. Our programs incorporate some of the most effective treatment approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). These evidence-based therapies help people identify the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and also help build life skills. While the goal is to stop using substances, treatment at Liberty House also focuses on building confidence, restoring balance, and teaching life skills that will allow patients to maintain long-term emotional health. Liberty House Outpatient Center provides the tools for individuals to manage their recovery in the real world, supported by a professional and caring clinical team.
Seek Help for Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Today
If you or someone you know is experiencing the signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction, it’s time to get help. You don’t have to face this alone, and recovery is possible with the right help and support. Liberty House Outpatient Center in Oakland County, Michigan, can help. We provide compassionate, professional treatment for people struggling with addiction and want to help you or your loved one get back on the right track. We understand just how overwhelming addiction can be, and that’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way with individualized treatment and encouragement. Contact Liberty House today and find out more about fentanyl addiction treatment.
