Fentanyl addiction affects both urban and rural areas across the United States, leaving no community untouched. It is a leading cause of death for Americans under 50, surpassing heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and other accidents.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be struggling with fentanyl addiction, it’s critical to find professional help as soon as possible. This guide will explain everything you should know to find treatment for fentanyl abuse, including what fentanyl is, fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, and where to go if you’re searching for fentanyl detox near you.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a highly addictive prescription painkiller that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Doctors may prescribe this synthetic opioid drug to address severe and chronic pain. It is also sold illicitly by drug dealers, where it is often mixed with heroin, making it more dangerous to a person’s health.
Fentanyl has a high risk of overdose because of its potency. It can also cause very serious short-term and long-term health consequences. Misuse, overdose, and continued fentanyl use can be deadly, making it essential for individuals to be aware of these dangers.
Why Do Doctors Prescribe Fentanyl?
Fentanyl can be a dangerous medication, even when taken as prescribed. That’s why it’s typically given as a last resort to patients who have become tolerant to other opioids but still experience severe pain.
Patients taking fentanyl must be closely monitored to ensure their medical safety. For example, patients who use a fentanyl patch must pay attention to the temperature, as increased heat can cause the patches to release larger amounts of the drug, which could lead to overdose.
Those using the drug recreationally are at an even higher risk of overdose. These individuals may not be aware of the strength of the drug or the risk of interactions when combined with other drugs or alcohol.
What Are the Symptoms of Fentanyl Abuse and Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms?
The high potency of fentanyl significantly raises the risk of overdose and other serious symptoms. There is an added risk for people who purchase illicit drugs in powder or pill form on the street, as they may be unaware that the drugs contain fentanyl.
Fentanyl addiction often results in powerful withdrawal symptoms:
- Extreme euphoric effects
- Unusual sense of well-being
- Dizziness and confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness or sedation
- Upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting
- Constipation
- Tolerance to increasing amounts of the drug
- Drug-seeking behavior
- Respiratory arrest
- Withdrawal when use is stopped
You should not attempt to treat a fentanyl addiction on your own. Instead, you could contact a team of medical professionals who can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings with approved medications.
What Does Fentanyl Overdose Look Like?
It is important to understand the signs of fentanyl overdose and recognize them quickly. A fentanyl overdose has several physical symptoms that are easily observable to people who know what they are looking for.
Those symptoms include:
- Dizziness and confusion
- Difficulty with motor skills and speaking
- Pale, pasty skin
- Bluish lips and extremities
- Choking sounds
- Vomiting
- Pinpoint pupils
- Seizures
- Slow heart rate
- Nodding off or fainting
- Limp body
- Unresponsive
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Coma
- Respiratory arrest
- Death
Once overdose symptoms start, it will be imperative to get the user medical attention or to administer treatment as quickly as possible. This will reduce the chances of long-term or fatal consequences, potentially saving the person’s life.
How Do You Treat Opioid Overdose in an Emergency?
Narcan (Naloxone) is an opioid antidote that is often used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. It can be given by injection or nasal spray. Narcan can help restore breathing and central nervous system functioning within minutes, but because fentanyl is so potent, several doses of Narcan are often necessary to counteract overdose.
Narcan almost immediately causes a patient using fentanyl to go into serious withdrawal from the drug. This may result in several uncomfortable and often painful side effects that typically require additional medical management.
While Narcan may reverse many of the symptoms of overdose, some symptoms may persist and require treatment. For example, the patient may no longer be in respiratory arrest but still need a ventilator to assist with breathing.
How is Fentanyl Addiction Treated?
Fentanyl rehab is available for those struggling with addiction, and the encouraging news is that fentanyl addiction can be treated. The treatments you receive depend on the frequency of prior drug use, co-occurring disorders, and your treatment goals.
1. Entering Detox
The first step towards recovery is often through a detoxification program. For most residents of Fresno County, this is typically a fentanyl detox center in Clovis. Detox programs can help with managing severe withdrawal symptoms, which can be both unpleasant and dangerous, requiring medical supervision.
Fentanyl detox should always take place in a medically supervised inpatient facility, where healthcare professionals are available around the clock to monitor your health and alleviate discomfort or pain with non-addictive medication (if needed).
2. Inpatient Programs
Fentanyl rehab centers are essential for treating fentanyl addiction, often requiring an inpatient (also called residential) program for effective treatment. Inpatient treatment offers the best chances for long-term recovery by providing a distraction-free environment to focus on recovery.
Residential treatment typically includes:
- Addiction education
- Individual and group therapy
- Life and coping skills training
- Relapse prevention techniques
The highly structured schedule and busy days in residential treatment can provide you with peer support and 24/7 care. Additionally, clients are evaluated for underlying psychiatric issues, as co-occurring mental health conditions are often present in people who suffer from drug addiction.
3. Outpatient Programs
Once your inpatient program is complete, the true journey of recovery begins. An outpatient program will assist with ongoing recovery processes while still allowing you to engage in work, household, and personal duties.
There are three major types of outpatient programs: intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), substance abuse disorder programs, and partial hospitalization programs.
The treatment you receive largely depends on the program, with options including:
- Behavioral therapies
- Group therapies with family members
- Support for developing healthy life skills
- Aftercare planning
4. Post-Treatment Care
At the end of your official outpatient program, you may wish to surround yourself with additional support.
There are several options available in Fresno:
- 12-step programs
- Sober living homes
- Faith-based programs
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Fresno, CA
Your first step in overcoming fentanyl addiction is reaching out for help. Detoxing from fentanyl use can be very uncomfortable and may lead to serious medical issues.
If you or a loved one have a fentanyl addiction and want to quit, it’s essential to do so in a medically supervised setting. Attending an addiction treatment facility can make withdrawal symptoms more manageable and ensure a safer detox process.
For fentanyl addiction treatment in Fresno, CA, you can rely on the professionals at My Time Recovery. We’re proud to provide one of the best detox centers in Clovis for those recovering from fentanyl and other dangerous substances.
Call us today to get more information about our detox program, residential treatment, outpatient rehab, and more.
