How to Tell if Someone is on Fentanyl
What is Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid painkiller. It reduces pain by blocking the pain receptors in the brain.
Simultaneously, it stimulates the production and release of the feel-good chemical dopamine, increasing feelings of pleasure.
In medical settings, these side effects can be majorly beneficial.
But these same side effects contribute to fentanyl’s high potential for abuse and addiction.
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Prescription vs. Illicit Fentanyl
One of the most dangerous things about prescription drugs is the attached assumption that they cannot be bad for you because a doctor prescribed them.
This is false and dangerous.
Both illicit and prescription versions are fentanyl can be addictive and lead to troubling side effects.
Even prescription drugs can be potent, have addictive qualities, and come with a high potential for abuse.
Following a prescription may mitigate certain risks but it does not always eliminate them.
Fentanyl mimics the effects of morphine but it can be 50 to 100 times more potent.
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Different Forms of Fentanyl
Prescription fentanyl takes several different forms. Patches, lozenges, sprays, injections, nasal sprays, and tablets are the most common. Addiction to fentanyl patches comes with additional complications, like the increased risk of serious and potentially life-threatening breathing problems. The risk for this event is heightened during the first three days of treatment and each time you increase your dosages. Because of its potency and addictive qualities, medical professionals are cautious in their use of fentanyl.
It is typically reserved for those who have been unresponsive to less potent opioids or over-the-counter painkillers. Invasive surgeries and cancer treatments are two examples. These conditions are often accompanied by severe or unresponsive pains. To combat this, your doctor may give you a short-term prescription to help ease your pain until the worst is through. But its potent and addictive qualities may not let go that easily. You may find yourself asking for another prescription, switching doctors, or purchasing fentanyl illicitly. If this sounds familiar to you, you are not alone. And we are here to help.
Common Fentanyl Side Effects
The effects of fentanyl are potent, but they are often also fleeting, especially once a tolerance begins to build. The potential mental and physical health impairments, on the other hand, may be long-lasting. And your side effects may vary depending on several individual factors, like the form you use, how you use it, how often, and how much each time. Illicit fentanyl use is often more dangerous than prescription use because it can be laced with other substances without your knowledge.
Drug dealers lace their drugs to increase their profits. For the user, this increases the risk of health impairments and overdoses. And overdoses occur in high numbers in this drug category. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are present in more overdose deaths than any other drugs. This is due, in part, to the practice of lacing other drugs with fentanyl. If your body is not accustomed to the potent effects of fentanyl, ingesting it accidentally can quickly lead to addiction or overdose.
Fentanyl and Mental Health
Most drugs that alter your brain chemistry can cause mental health impairments. When you add pain relief and increased feelings of happiness to the mix, this risk becomes more prominent. Many individuals with severe pain and mental health disorders gravitate toward substances that have side effects like these. This is one of the reasons why mental health disorders and addictions are so closely linked. Addiction and mental health disorders occur together frequently. This combination is called a dual diagnosis. While a dual diagnosis may be scary and challenging, it can be overcome. And our high-level, specialized dual diagnosis program can help.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Options
If you are looking for signs that someone is abusing or addicted to fentanyl, look for the side effects. Physical symptoms might include things like shallow breathing, headaches, dizziness, blurry vision, itchiness, and nausea or vomiting. The psychological symptoms, however, may be easier to identify. Some of the most common of these side effects include inexplicable bouts of extreme happiness, euphoria, drowsiness, and confusion.
Each individual may experience different side effects, depending on things like the form of fentanyl, frequency of use, and others. But these side effects are some of the most common. Difficulty breathing and bouts of unconsciousness are advanced side effects that often appear with long-term or heavy abuse. Health impairments can be a sign of a problem, but they can also occur before addiction begins. Withdrawal symptoms, uncharacteristic behaviors, and a lack of interest in hobbies, loved ones, or daily responsibilities are other signs to watch for.
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Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Fentanyl withdrawals come with symptoms that are similar to having the flu. Muscle or bone pains, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, and vomiting are common symptoms. These are often met with cold flashes, uncontrollable leg movements, and severe or persistent drug cravings. Withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings are two of the most common relapse triggers. But they are different for everyone.
Our relapse prevention training can help you identify and overcome your relapse triggers. First, our personalized detoxes will help you through the earliest stage of your recovery. Depending on your addiction and needs, we offer different types of detoxes. Some detoxes are medically-assisted to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. We will work with you to determine which option is best for you.
Addiction Treatment Options
Two of the most well-known addiction treatment options are inpatient or residential programs and outpatient programs. But each individual and each addiction is unique. Two options simply are not enough. In addition to these programs, we also offer:
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Dual diagnosis programs
- Aftercare planning and services
- Alumni programs
- 12-step programs
- Trauma-informed care
Many clients start with an inpatient program before moving on to partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and traditional outpatient programs. These different programs are carefully designed to provide the right levels, types, and amounts of addiction care at the different stages of recovery. But not everyone follows this same path. And you do not have to worry about determining the right path on your own. We will work with you to determine which care program or programs will best suit your unique addiction and needs.
Paying for Addiction Treatments
Paying for addiction treatments like benzo rehab is easier than you might think. If you have health insurance, your addiction care program may be partially or fully covered. While coverage amounts and plans may vary, most health insurance providers offer coverage for this type of care. And we work with most major health insurance providers to make the process easier. If you have health insurance, but you do not know what is covered by it, please call our admissions counselor for a complimentary insurance verification. We will walk you through the next steps from there. If you do not have health insurance, please call and ask about alternative payment options.
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Resurgence Behavioral Health
Resurgence is a place where dedicated teams, proven treatment methods, holistic remedies, and recreational activities come together to create personalized treatment programs, unlike any others.
Our conveniently located facilities are safe, comfortable, and packed with amenities.
Many of them are close to the beach for peaceful outings, sandy yoga and meditation sessions, and exciting fitness classes.
From personalized detoxes, therapy sessions, and support groups to art and music therapy, fitness classes, and aftercare, we customize your experience to ensure maximum efficiency.
Call us today for more information.
