All about Addiction to Fentanyl
There are various drugs in the market. Some helps us cure the illness that we have while some helps eliminate the pain that we are feeling. However, there are also drugs that can pose risks to the health of us humans, especially if proper dosage is not followed. Some are also subject to addiction that can even lead to death such as Fentanyl. Locating the right right Fentanyl rehab to help treat addiction could save your life.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a medication that falls under the opioid category. It is often used as a part of anesthesia that helps people prevent pain after they have undergone a medical procedure. However, this drug is not for all. In fact, a person who is allergic to narcotic pain medicines and fentanyl is not suggested to take it. This is because there are certain medicines that can cause a serious condition if they are taken together with the Fentanyl. So, typically, before the doctor recommends it to their patients, they first asks them if they are also taking other drugs in order to prevent unwanted side effects.
It is considered as a powerful opioid medication that is quite similar to that of the morphine but is considerably more potent. Typically, it is administered through lozenges, transdermal patch and via injection. It is also being sold in the market in various form such as powder and tablets. Not only that, there are also a lot of ways to consume this drug such as injecting, snorting or swallowing it.
How does it work?
Now that we have already discussed what is Fentanyl, it is now the time to know how it works. Well, it works by binding to the opioid receptors in our body. These receptors are the ones that controls our emotions and even the pain that we are feeling. When the two bind together, they increase the level of dopamine produced and with that, it creates a state of relaxation. On the other hand, it also has effects such as respiratory arrest, confusion, euphoria, nausea, coma and drowsiness. Also, with the fact that the drug is capable of controlling our breathing rate, it is also very much possible for our breathing to stop completely that can lead to death. This is one of the main reasons why this drug is considered to be dangerous. Hence, it is also very important to stop addiction to this drug before things gets worse and before it’s too late.
What are the factors that contributes to Fentanyl addiction?
Now that we are discussing about what is Fentanyl, discussing the factors that contributes to its abuse is also a must and one factor is a person’s genetic disposition to a medical condition with medication involved. Some may also be living in areas that can access the drugs easily and has exposed them to it. Peer pressure can also lead to Fentanyl addiction. For some, they may consider the drug as a treatment for the pain or psychological distress that they are experiencing.
Fentanyl Addiction Signs and Symptoms
First of all, it is very important to know what is Fentanyl as well as it’s signs and symptoms in order to help you determine whether the person that you know is indeed suffering from addiction to the said drug or not. This is because it can be quite dangerous to let your loved one suffer from Fentanyl addiction for a long time. Also, it is still not too late for them to have it treated as nowadays, there are a lot of treatment options available for them.
Some symptoms include the following:
- Dry mouth
- Breathing suppression
- Urine retention
- Swollen extremeties
- Severe constipation
- Hallucinations
- Pinpoint pupils
- Loss of Appetite
- Itching
- Sweating
- Slurred speech
- Weakness and fainting
- Lightheadedness
- Weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Muscle stiffness
- Altered heart rate
- Difficulty walking
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- Depression
Apart from the things that were listed above, a person suffering from Fentanyl addiction may have a decline in activity. Meaning to say, they are not likely to accomplish all the tasks that they have within the day even the things that they can accomplish before. So, students who are addicted to it may miss schools, perform poorly at school and have lower grades. On the other hand, adults would find it difficult to make proper judgments. They would also be having a hard time finding pleasure from the things and the people around them.
So, if you experience several of the symptoms that were mentioned, then you better consult a doctor for you might be suffering from Fentanyl addiction without you being aware of it. On the other hand, if you think that something is wrong with one of your family members or friends and you think that they have been overdosing Fentanyl, it would also be best for you to ask them if they have the listed symptoms. By simply knowing these things, you would be able to intervene on their addiction even at an early stage before it gets worse. Also, there is a need for you to know that people become a fentanyl addict a different rates. An early intervention can help with success rate of recovery and the sooner they get help the less physical damage could occur.
What are the effects of Fentanyl Addiction?
If a person has been using the said drug for a long time, then they are likely to experience adverse effects. Not only is the addiction to the drug capable of affecting our physical health for it is also capable of affecting our mental health as well. Also, the effects can be quite serious as well.
- Physical Effects
If you are addicted to this drug, then you are likely to suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as perforation and bowel obstruction. Your immune system would also be weaker than before. Not only that, you may also have difficulty in breathing that can truly be quite dangerous if not given much attention.
- Mental Effects
Oftentimes, you may feel paranoid even when the things that are happening around you are normal to other people. You are also likely to create a barrier between yourself and others. You would prefer to be alone than to mingle with other people. Having delusions is also something inevitable and the people around you may notice certain changes in your behavior. Well, that is all because of your addiction to Fentanyl.
- Lethal Combinations
Just like what was mentioned before, it is also dangerous for a person to consume this drug together with other drugs, especially the ones that has a direct effect on the brain. With the continuous use of this drug, the risk of suffering from respiratory distress increases. It may also lead to coma and in worst case, death.
Fentanyl addiction withdrawal symptoms
It is indeed a known fact that it is not that easy to stop addiction for good. It is not as simple as taking medications and making lifestyle changes. For sure, one would experience withdrawal symptoms not only physical ones but also emotional and mental symptoms as well. Once you have decided to quit Fentanyl, you may experience diarrhea and chills. You may also be confused about certain things and feel restless from time to time. You would also suffer from pain, especially in your joints and muscles. You would also feel irritable easily.
For people who have been consuming high dosage of Fentanyl, they are likely to experience more sever withdrawal symptoms and in some cases, complications may occur. Typically, one would experience extreme discomfort due to the withdrawal symptoms during the first 2 days that they have stopped taking it. With that being said, medical supervision is extremely necessary and one should not even think of treating themselves alone.
How to treat addiction to Fentanyl
Being addicted to Fentanyl is surely something that you cannot be proud of but it is also not something that you should be ashamed of, especially as many drug addicts out there did not even intend to be one from the very beginning. Also, there are some people who have no thoughts of having their addiction treated for the reason that they are afraid of what other people would think of them but that is not enough reason for them to seek for treatment. In addition to that, the support of loved ones also plays an important role in the recovery process of the people who became addicted to Fentanyl.
While some people think that there are only rehabilitation centers for alcohol addicts, there are also a lot of rehabilitation all over the world whose aim is to help people overcome Fentanyl addiction. There are also supplements that helps reduce the reactions of the body to withdrawal such as diarrhea and vomiting. They are also asked to take them get rid of the toxicity that are still existing on the patient’s body. On the other hand, there are also exercises formulated in order to help a person handle the withdrawal symptoms that they are experiencing. There are exercises that helps calm the patient’s mind and reduce anxiety as well as physical pain.
In addition to that, just because one has stopped consuming the said drug doesn’t mean that his/her body is already completely free from the said drug. In fact, most Fentanyl addicts experiences mental fog, especially if they have been addicted to it for a long time already. This is because the residues of the drug is not flushed eliminated from the body completely even after the use of the drug has been discontinued. Thus, various treatments are combined in order to flush out all of these toxins and residues. That way, the patient can completely free themselves from Fentanyl addiction.
Treatment options
- Detoxification process
The detoxification process aims to help people stop being dependent to the said drug. It also aims to help reduce the risk of drug addiction relapse and minimize the discomfort and pain that the patient feels while they are on their way towards recovery. In this process, not only is the Fentanyl removed for all the other drugs are removed as well. Some may be given medications to help minimize the withdrawal effects and reduce their cravings for Fentanyl. This process also involves removing all the toxics of the drug from the body through cleansing.
- Rehabilitation
A rehabilitation center specifically for Fentanyl addiction has all the resources needed in order to help patients recover from addiction. Through rehabilitation, one would be able to identify the things that hinders them from recovering completely. There would also be people there who would assist the patients during their recovery. They would be taught certain skills and cope up mechanism to fight it as well as methods that the patients can use to deal with it. One would also be able to recover from it as well as it involves counselling. Also, the patient would never feel alone as they are surrounded with people who are also experiencing the same thing as them to provide them great support and cheer for them as well.
Just because one wants to treat their Fentanyl addiction doesn’t mean that they need to spend their time in a rehabilitation center. In fact, it is still very much possible for them to get treated while still being able to continue working or continue going to school through the outpatient treatment. One just need to attend the programs created for them a few times a week. This treatment is suitable for those who are still quite stable and whose symptoms are only at the mild level. The treatment is done either in the office of the doctor, in the community clinic or even via phone.
So, always remember that it is never too late to free yourself from Fentanyl addiction. Don’t let your addiction stop you from enjoying your life to the fullest. Always remember that there are a lot of treatment options available for you. Also, with the tools, resources and support given by Broadway Treatment Center , full recovery would surely be yours. So, although you may think that living your life without Fentanyl is impossible, it definitely is possible, especially if you are motivated to cure yourself. So, better stop taking it right this instant and see a brighter future ahead of you! Call us at 1-714-443-8218 today!