Proudly Serving Our Military and Veterans: In-Network with TriCare and TriWest
Fentanyl is a common synthetic opioid prescribed by doctors or created and sold illegally. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states the drug is “50 to 100 times more potent” than morphine. Alternative names for prescription fentanyl include:
Opioids are responsible for most overdose deaths in America. Among those commonly associated with substance use disorder (SUD), fentanyl causes the most accidental deaths and severe injuries. Approximately 59% of all overdose deaths in 2017 involved fentanyl. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that opioid overdoses have increased by over 38% since the end of 2019. Very few drugs are as dangerous and prevalent. Learn more about general opioid addiction by visiting our Opiate Addiction page.
Medical professionals commonly prescribe fentanyl to treat chronic and severe pain. Due to the nature of the drug, a tolerance to the effects may develop over time, requiring more fentanyl to achieve the same level of relief. Opioids work by affecting the nervous system and creating a sense of euphoria and relief from discomfort or pain. The feeling can be addictive and rewire the pleasure centers of the brain. However, not everyone who takes medically prescribed fentanyl will abuse the substance.
Fentanyl comes in the form of transdermal patches, pills, sprays, or injections. Illegally created and sold fentanyl sometimes gets mixed with heroin, MDMA, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Street fentanyl gets sold under a variety of names, including:
Multiple complications can occur when taking prescription or illegal fentanyl. Illegal forms of the substance are particularly dangerous, and the possible complications are not always foreseeable due to their potential to contain a cocktail of other drugs. If you or a loved one are abusing any form of fentanyl, and encounter unexpected side effects, seek medical assistance immediately. Unconsciousness, coma, or death may result if left untreated. Even seemingly benign symptoms could lead to potentially severe adverse reactions.
Side effects you may encounter when taking this drug in amounts above the prescribed limit include:
Researchers have not entirely determined why some individuals become addicted to fentanyl and others do not. However, known risk factors related to fentanyl abuse include the following:
A genetic component sometimes plays a role in addition to the risks associated with environmental and health conditions. More research is needed to figure out the exact genetic connection. Anyone can become addicted to a substance even if they do not identify with the situations listed above. However, if you relate to one or more of the risk factors, disclose them to your doctor or care team to get proper treatment.
Opioids are highly addictive and are accompanied by a range of health side effects, making it dangerous to quit “cold turkey.” Clients often require medication-assisted therapy (MAT) to transition off the substance safely. Medications used to treat the symptoms of fentanyl abuse include:
In addition to physical side effects, SUDs also impact emotional and mental health. Psychotherapies known to successfully treat substance abuse involving synthetic opioids include:
Your mental, physical, and spiritual health take precedence in everything we do at White House Recovery and Detox.
Our dedicated, experienced staff are ready to do everything in their power to help you reach your full potential throughout your journey to overcome your obstacles and build a stronger life.
