Prescription opioids are recognized for their effectiveness in managing pain. However, opioid addiction and overdose deaths remain a leading cause of public health concern, particularly when abused.
The medical uses for an opioid like fentanyl are well known. However, the illicitly sold counterparts available on the streets pose even graver risks.
Fentanyl is less costly to make and substantially more potent than other opioids, attracting illicit drug traffickers. As a result, the widespread prevalence of illicit fentanyl has aggravated the ongoing opioid epidemic.
It’s highly addictive and has become a very common drug. You’ll often see it involved in most of the cases where people are struggling with opioid use disorder. When you use fentanyl, especially if it’s unregulated or bought off the street, it can wreak havoc on your brain and nervous system. The risks are real, and the consequences can be deadly.
Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid designed for pain management. It was initially created for handling intense pain, particularly during surgical procedures.
Fentanyl is very powerful. It is up to 100 times stronger than morphine, heroin, and oxycodone. These are all addictive painkillers. However, this is where it becomes risky.
In the illicit drug trade, fentanyl is frequently marketed as fake oxycodone. This means that people who think they are buying oxycodone might actually get fentanyl mixed with other drugs. Fentanyl is much stronger and more dangerous.
When a doctor prescribes fentanyl for medical use, it helps relieve severe pain. This pain is similar to what you might feel after a major injury or surgery. It is also utilized for cancer patients experiencing chronic pain.
Fentanyl operates by focusing on specific areas in your brain to inhibit pain signals and improve your comfort. However, similar to morphine and other powerful opioids, fentanyl carries certain dangers. It is a scheduled substance classified under Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. The most perilous risk is that it may impede your breathing, which can be fatal if not monitored carefully.
There is a recommended way to use it. This method is supported by approved manufacturers and licensed medical professionals. However, things can look very different when it is misused.
The way people turn to fentanyl illegally is far from the safe, controlled approach experts recommend. It’s important to see the difference. Fentanyl can be used legally, but it can also be abused. These two uses are very different.
Stopping heroin addiction from occurring is possible. It often starts with comprehending the underlying causes and risks to prevent or lessen exposure to those risks.One solution alone cannot solve the opioid problem. We need many methods to address the issue from all sides.
Addiction statistics have for years continued to show the rising number of illicitly sold and prescription opioid overdose deaths, and fentanyl is at the center stage. This means treatment is really essential to avoid the continued loss of these precious lives.
The high potential for abuse of fentanyl has made it a critical issue in addressing fentanyl addiction. Along with the risks of fentanyl withdrawal, understanding its common forms is vital for prevention and effective treatment. There are several prescribed forms of fentanyl brand names, including:
But then there’s illicitly sold fentanyl. It’s a different story. This illegal version appears in many unexpected forms, (and taken for non-medical uses), including:
Fentanyl goes by many street names, and it’s important to recognize them. You might hear it called:
Illegally sold street fentanyl is very dangerous. It is often mixed with other drugs without people knowing. You might think you are buying something else, but it could be laced with fentanyl.
It’s commonly found in heroin or pressed into fake pills. You can never indeed be sure of what you’re obtaining, which creates a significant risk of accidental overdoses. A small quantity can be lethal.
You can become addicted to fentanyl in two ways. One way is by getting it legally as a prescription from a doctor. The other way is through illegal drug use. But most people get addicted by misusing it.
Misusing illegal fentanyl is a big public health problem, but misusing prescription fentanyl is just as worrying. Prescription fentanyl is a highly potent substance and can easily lead to addiction. It is very important to take fentanyl exactly as your doctor instructs. Regular check-ups are also necessary to check for any issues.
Some people become addicted to fentanyl after misusing prescription painkillers, like morphine. When their prescription ends, they may start using illegal fentanyl. No matter how someone starts using fentanyl, they face a high risk of addiction that they should always take seriously.
Fentanyl is a controlled substance. Because people can easily abuse it, drug enforcement authorities watch it closely. People should never underestimate the significant risk of fentanyl addiction.
Fentanyl (like other illicit and prescription opioids) targets the opioid receptors in the brain, altering the way your body processes pain. It messes with pain signals sent to your spinal cord and central nervous system.
Your body naturally produces substances called opioids that help control feelings of calmness and joy. These opioids affect the brain’s pleasure and reward system. They do this by releasing dopamine, a hormone that makes you feel good. However, fentanyl enhances those happy feelings, making them much stronger than what your body can handle.
Over time, your brain starts getting less responsive to opioids, meaning you need higher doses to get the same effect. This leads to dependence and abuse. And if you keep using fentanyl for too long, it can seriously harm your organs, especially your liver, kidneys, and heart.
Fentanyl addiction is a serious issue. Managing fentanyl withdrawal is an important part of recovery. Stopping or reducing fentanyl leads to tough withdrawal symptoms, including:
Fentanyl addiction shows clear behavioral signs. These signs often reveal the emotional and psychological effects of the drug. As addiction takes hold, priorities alter, and behaviors change. You may observe an individual grappling with fentanyl addiction exhibiting behaviors such as:
These actions clearly show how powerful addiction can be. If you notice these changes, it’s essential to pay attention because they might indicate that something is wrong.
Fentanyl can be extremely dangerous. Even a small amount can be harmful. Its potency makes it risky, and an overdose can happen quickly.
The main problem? You might not know how much you’re actually taking.
Street versions of fentanyl are often mixed with heroin or other fake painkillers. These mixtures can be very strong. This makes it hard to know how much fentanyl is in each dose.
Some people use prescription fentanyl to relieve chronic pain. Others seek it for fun because it makes them feel good and calm. For some, it starts with legitimate prescriptions before spiraling into the use of illicit street versions when accessing the drug through legal means becomes impossible.
If you’re using any form of fentanyl for recreational purposes, you may experience several temporary effects, such as:
Misusing fentanyl, whether you prescribe it or obtain it illegally, can severely impact your health. The longer you misuse it, the more severe the effects can get.
It’s not just a mental struggle—it compromises your body, too, affecting your bones and muscles. Because of this, even everyday tasks can become risky, increasing your chances of injury. Over time, some of the long-term consequences may include:
As you keep using fentanyl, your body starts getting used to it. You’ll notice that it takes more and more to get the same effect. This isn’t just about getting high anymore—it’s about needing a more significant dose to feel anything at all.
The more you increase the dose, the higher the risk becomes. Eventually, it can lead to severe dependence or addiction. And once that happens, it’s much harder to break free.
Fentanyl is dangerous and has been a big factor in the rise of overdose deaths lately. This happens when you take more than your body can handle. This can lead to serious and life-threatening effects. If you take too much, your breathing could slow down or even stop altogether.
This lack of breathing means your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen, a situation referred to as hypoxia. Without sufficient oxygen, you might:
Signs of a fentanyl overdose can be clear, but they vary. You might notice someone becoming extremely drowsy or sedated. Breathing could slow, becoming shallow or even stopping. Other signs include:
What to do if you suspect someone is overdosing:
While waiting for help, try to keep the person awake and alert. If they’re unconscious:
Other Effects
Fentanyl dependency can impact far more than just your well-being. It penetrates nearly every part of your life, causing enduring harm. Let’s discuss the additional impacts it may have:
Dependency generates stress. It creates distrust between you and those who are most important—family, friends, and partners. In the long run, this may result in loneliness and the deterioration of those essential relationships.
When you constantly chase the fentanyl high because of addiction, it harms you mentally and physically. It also begins to impact your life in larger ways. You might lose your job or get involved in legal issues. Suddenly, the financial pressure can feel overwhelming.
Bills pile up, and you find yourself having to dip into savings or even sacrifice things your family needs just to keep things afloat. It’s a vicious cycle that gets harder to break the longer it goes on.
Staying focused and doing well at work can be tough when addiction and the constant search for fentanyl high are in the picture. This could lead to losing your job or struggling to find and keep one. This can threaten your financial stability.
Many people find themselves in legal trouble when they resort to illegal activities to fuel their addiction. This could lead to arrests, a criminal record, or even jail time. These things can change your future greatly.
You might notice that the hobbies and activities you once loved no longer hold the same appeal. The things that once gave you purpose and joy just seem to fade away.
Fentanyl addiction, over time, takes center stage, pushing everything else aside. And before you know it, your life quality begins to slip. The things that once brought you fulfillment are crowded out, leaving you feeling disconnected from the life you once knew.
The consequences are undeniable and far-reaching. They touch every part of your life—your relationships, your finances, and beyond. No area is left untouched as the effects ripple through, shaping your future in ways you may not even see coming.
We know that cost is a major factor for most people when seeking treatment for drug & alcohol abuse in Virginia. Novara Recovery Center works with most major insurance plans to help cover up to 100% of the costs associated with treatment at our program. To find out your personal options for treatment, get a free verification of insurance benefits right now by clicking the button below.
When it comes to tackling fentanyl addiction, the best approach usually involves a mix of medication and behavioral therapy. Each of these methods targets different parts of the addiction, and together, they often lead to better results. It’s not only about therapy or medication alone. It’s about using both to tackle the physical and mental aspects of addiction.
Detoxification:
Detox is the first important step in treating a serious fentanyl addiction. It helps your body remove the drug and toxins.
Fentanyl withdrawal can be very intense. Because of this, detox usually takes place in a medical setting. There, you will be closely monitored.
Here’s what you can expect:
Detoxing can be strenuous. Sometimes, you might find that the risk of relapse is higher, and those cravings can feel pretty intense. Just remember, you’re not in this by yourself. You’ll have medical professionals by your side, ready to offer support and care every step of the way.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT):
MAT uses medications to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This gives you a chance to focus on getting better. It’s not just about pushing through the difficult moments; it’s about having the support you need as you move forward, which helps you stay on track and rebuild your life.
Here’s how some of these medications can help:
These medications do more than treat physical signs and symptoms. They are important for helping you stay on track and avoid relapse as you continue your recovery journey.
Behavioral Therapy:
Let’s get one thing straight: detox alone isn’t the whole solution. Sure, clearing drugs and alcohol from your system is a critical first step, but it’s just the beginning. If you want real, long-term rehabilitation, you must delve deeper.
Understanding the underlying causes of your drug usage is essential. Without such, it is difficult to create a long-lasting solution. Detox may get you clean, but what happens after that is what really counts.
A good treatment program includes teaching you how to flourish in your recovery journey. You’ll learn how to:
You will learn to communicate better. You will share your feelings and needs in ways that help build healthy relationships. You’ll also learn about what causes relapse so you can steer clear of those triggers or deal with them without falling back into old habits.
Behavioral therapy is where you’ll uncover and work through the deep-rooted issues that led to your substance use in the first place. Alongside that, nutritional classes and therapies will help you establish healthier habits that support long-term recovery.
Evidence-Based Therapies:
Evidence-based therapies refer to treatments that have undergone extensive testing and demonstrated effectiveness through research and clinical trials, and they include:
Holistic Therapies:
Holistic treatments adopt an alternative method. Rather than solely concentrating on the addiction, they consider the entire individual—your body, mind, and spirit. These treatments acknowledge that emotional, mental, and physical health all contribute to your overall well-being. They aim to bring back balance and wellness to your entire system; common ones include:
These methods aim to shift your mindset and help you stay focused. Remember, recovering from fentanyl use disorder isn’t something that wraps up once treatment is over. It’s a lifelong process.
Before you wrap up your time in rehab—whether it’s inpatient or outpatient—you’ll collaborate with your team to develop an aftercare plan that supports your sobriety. This plan could include:
In some cases, your aftercare plan might also include:
Recovering from fentanyl addiction is tough, but it’s also a chance to completely transform your life. It’s a process that will demand you to recover not only physically but also emotionally and mentally. First, you’ll go through detox to clear the drug from your system, and then comes the hard but important stage of digging deeper.
You’ll confront the root causes of your addiction—things like past trauma, mental health challenges, and stress. As you move through recovery, you’ll learn new ways to handle cravings and manage emotions. You’ll start to heal those fractured relationships and rediscover your sense of purpose once more.
Recovery involves more than just halting drug use; it’s about establishing an entirely new lifestyle. It may seem difficult, but you are creating a path for personal growth and optimism. This will lead to a life that is more fulfilling and satisfying than you ever imagined.
At Novara Recovery Center, we know that each person’s path to recovery from opioid addiction is unique. We provide personalized solutions for fentanyl addiction that match your needs, preferences, and life situation.
Contact us today and take the first step today. Your recovery begins here.
Written By:
Mental Health Writer
Geoffrey Andaria is a seasoned writer and editor specializing in mental health content. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, he possesses a solid foundation in crafting freelance articles and conducting research. Geoffrey has also completed courses in social work. He dedicates himself to providing valuable and informative content for individuals impacted by mental health challenges and addiction.
Medically Reviewed By:
Expert Contributor
Dr. Williams is currently a board member for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He possesses a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a license to offer addiction counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut. Additionally, he has submitted an application to become a licensed psychologist in New Jersey.
