Suffering from Fentanyl addiction or know a loved one who is? Here we go into detail about Fentanyl addiction, various treatments available for you and how you can benefit from going to treatment for your addiction.
- Home /
- Opiates /
- Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl is an opioid that was first synthesised by a Belgium scientist called Paul Janssen back in 1960 and since 1968 it has been used medically by hospitals. The reason it is used medically is that it’s a strong ‘euphoric’ experience when taken, it can help patients deal with their pain but it has now found popularity in people misusing the drug recreationally to get the ‘high’ from Fentanyl. It is considered as well to be 100 times more potent than Morphine which is a very strong drug in its own right.
Due to the extreme strength of the drug has, it only takes a small amount of Fentanyl for someone to fatally overdose from it. In some cases, people have suffered an overdose from just a small amount of Fentanyl coming into contact with their skin. The drug can be easily manufactured at a cheap cost which has led to being the go-to drug for drug dealers to cut fentanyl into other substances which can be extremely dangerous.
Not to mention it’s extremely high risk for an overdose but it is very addictive among users. Due to how potent the drug is, it has a very high dependence liability so it should only be used medically under supervision while following guidelines set. Users can become hooked on Fentanyl just after a few uses.
The Medical Use Of Fentanyl
Due to it being an extremely effective painkiller when used correctly. It is primarily used on patients who are suffering from acute and chronic pain. The drug should only be used in the prescribed amount given to you by a medical professional.
When it is provided medically, it can come in a number of forms depending on what the patient’s current situation is and your current physiology.
Need Help With Your Addiction?
Why Is Fentanyl So Addictive?
Fentanyl has an extreme potency when it takes the meaning that when users take it they will experience an intense high and will feel some pleasure and because of its extreme nature, it is hard to find more drugs that can re-create the ‘high’ that Fentanyl can give them. Therefore they will see Fentanyl as very ‘rewarding’ which will make them want to take the drug more frequently on a recreational basis.
It is also has a massive physical dependency liability which means when people take a substance after a certain amount of time the effects even as strong as Fentanyl will start to feel less which causes them to take more to feel the same effects as before which is not only a massive risk for an overdose but tolerance which leads to a dependency where they have to take the drug in order to feel ‘normal’ and avoid any withdrawal symptoms.
Fentanyl Addiction Signs And Symptoms
It can be hard to spot if a loved one is currently suffering from a Fentanyl addiction to the massive stigma around addiction, people will go to great lengths to hide their true intention and they are more likely to do this regarding a drug such as Fentanyl
There are common signs that you can come across in your behaviour or a loved one that can be a tell if they are struggling with a Fentanyl addiction, if a lot of these signs match up then it’s urgent that you seek out support from a rehabilitation centre so you can get on the road to recover and stop taking Fentanyl.
- Obsessed with consuming Fentanyl.
- Involved in illegal activies.
- Cutting off family and friends.
- Lying about what they are doing.
- Financial troubles.
- Physical & mental health issues appearing.
- Beginning to become pessimistic about the future.
- Carrying equipment such as syringes.
These are the most physical signs when it comes to a Fentanyl addiction.
- Hallucinations.
- Itching of their body.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Depression.
- Fatigued.
- Shaking.
- Slow breathing.
- Stiffness
Book Your Free Addiction Assessment
Fentanyl Addiction Rehabilitation Treatment
Due to the severity that comes with Fentanyl addiction, it can be extremely dangerous to attempt to come off the drug by yourself due to the withdrawal symptoms that follow. That is why you will a medical detox under supervision to help you overcome your Fentanyl dependency.
The most effective Fentanyl addiction rehabilitation would be through inpatient rehab where a patient can have a break from their current environment and be in a drug-free one with rehabilitation specialist support. An inpatient rehabilitation programme will last around 30 days to 90 days and will get aftercare once they leave as well which starts with the detoxification before they can move on to addiction treatment programmes such as therapy, diet plans and many more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Addiction is a difficult and complex issue. If you find yourself addicted to fentanyl or other drugs, it is important that you seek help as soon as possible. There are many factors that can cause addiction. A person may start by taking a drug with the intention of just having some fun, but over time they can develop an addiction to the drug. Some people have a genetic predisposition to become addicted, while others may be more susceptible because of their environment. Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids available on the street today and should not be underestimated in its ability to cause addiction.