Fentanyl Addiction Treatment: Understanding the Dangers of Fentanyl

Introduction

In severe pain cases, physicians prescribe opioid drugs like fentanyl and morphine to help provide comfort and ease suffering. But what makes these drugs so effective is also what makes them addictive and dangerous. If used for a long time or without medical oversight, these powerful pain relievers can result in misuse, addiction, or death.

One of these opioid medications is fentanyl, and in recent years, it’s become a significant problem in the opioid epidemic fight. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), in the county of San Diego alone, the first six months of the year 2020 saw 203 fentanyl overdose deaths. That number was more than the fentanyl-related overdose deaths for the county in the entire year of 2019. San Diego’s increase in fentanyl deaths isn’t isolated. Fentanyl deaths have increased nationwide in recent years.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is an opioid medication, similar to drugs like oxycodone, methadone, heroin, and morphine. Opioids are a class of drugs that produce the same pain-relieving and euphoric effects as opiates. Opiates are drugs derived directly from poppy plants, like opium or heroin. Opioids can be produced from the poppy plant or made in a lab to mimic the effects of an opiate.

The dangerous aspect of fentanyl is that it is more potent than other opioids. Fentanyl is up to 80-100 times more potent than morphine, making it a Schedule II drug. Schedule II drugs, according to the DEA, are drugs with a “high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous.”

When used for legitimate medical purposes, fentanyl safely controls high levels of pain. Typically prescribed after surgery or to treat cancer pain, it treats some symptoms of pain. Fentanyl is available under the brand names:

• Abstral
• Actiq
• Fentora
• Duragesic (fentanyl patch)

How Is It Used?

When used legally as prescribed medication treatment, fentanyl comes in several forms, like:

• Lozenges
• Fentanyl patches
• Tablets
• Injectable liquid

Formulations include:

• Fentanyl lollipop
• Spray
• Buccal film (small film placed between the cheeks and gum)

Illegal uses include the forms the drug is commercially manufactured, like the fentanyl patch and lozenge. However, street uses include snorting it, mixing it with other drugs, or injecting it intravenously. Fentanyl mixed with cannabis, or “fentanyl laced weed,” can turn marijuana into a dangerous substance.

When discussing the illegal use of fentanyl, it’s essential to include other synthetic opioids in the conversation. Carfentanil is another synthetic opioid. Both drugs are sometimes illicitly mixed with other drugs to create a more potent high. Both synthetic opioids are dangerous and can lead to overdose and death.

Fentanyl is much stronger than most other opioids. Carfentanil is even stronger than fentanyl — 100 times more potent. This makes carfentanil 10,000 times stronger than morphine. It is so strong that it’s not approved for use on humans. Carfentanil is only approved for use on large animals, such as elephants, as a tranquilizer.

Deaths and Others Costs of Fentanyl

Opioids like fentanyl have a unique effect on the central nervous system (CNS), which include the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The opioid receptors in the spine help block pain and cause a “feel good” state known as a “high.” Unfortunately, opioids also affect the CNS by slowing down the system, causing:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Depressed breathing

If too much of an opioid is administered at once or accumulates in the body, there’s a risk of becoming unconscious and stopping breathing, resulting in death.

Street Drugs Lack Quality Control

Misuse can result in a lethal dose of fentanyl. There is no quality control when street drugs are mixed or manufactured, making every dose challenging to gauge. Opioids, as a category of drugs, are an issue because of their addictive properties and ability to stop a person from breathing. Because of its strength, when even small amounts of fentanyl are mixed with other opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines, it increases the risk of an overdose.

Fentanyl’s potency is so concentrated that incorrectly disposing of it can result in a lethal dose of fentanyl. Because the drug comes in many formulations, a lozenge can look like candy, and an old fentanyl patch may look like a food wrapper. People can unknowingly expose themselves to the drug and experience fentanyl side-effects.

Fentanyl’s Costs

In a 2018 report from the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System report, fentanyl was involved in 29% of all overdose deaths in 2016. In two-thirds of the fentanyl-related deaths, fentanyl was mixed with one or more other drugs. Misuse costs lives, but there are monetary costs, too. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that the nation’s opioid epidemic costs the U.S. $78.5 billion a year in healthcare, addiction treatment, criminal justice, and lost productivity.

Fentanyl Effects

Opioids, which include fentanyl, have both short term and long term side-effects. Common fentanyl side-effects are:

Fentanyl Short-Term Side Effects

• Decreased respiratory rate
• Drowsiness
• Nausea

Fentanyl Long-Term Effects

• Memory loss
• Liver damage
• Nausea and vomiting
• Suppressed immune system
• Abdominal distention
• Coma
• Death

Fentanyl Overdose

A fentanyl overdose can occur, whether it’s the first dose ever taken or a routine dose. The following are common signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose:

• Slow breathing
• Shallow breaths
• Clammy skin
• Severe drowsiness
• Bluish appearance to the skin
• Unresponsiveness

Fentanyl Withdrawal

Fentanyl withdrawal is different for each person. Withdrawal depends on how long and how much of the drug has been used and mental and physical state. Health professionals recommend tapering when withdrawing from an opioid. Tapering helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and make the process more tolerable. Common side-effects of a fentanyl withdrawal include:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Joint and muscle pain
• Rapid heartbeat
• Tremors
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Trouble sleeping
• Chills
• Sweating
• Suicidal thoughts

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Spotting the signs of opioid addiction can prevent overdose. The signs of an addiction are:

Physical Signs

• Pinpoint pupils
• Unusual drowsiness
• Unconsciousness
• Loss of weight
• Confusion
• Slurred speech

Behavioral Signs

• Preoccupation with obtaining the drug
• Needing higher doses for effective pain relief
• Choosing to forgo activities they used to enjoy
• Failing to stop using the drug despite negative repercussions of drug use

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

Seeking treatment for fentanyl addiction, whether inpatient or outpatient, can increase success and recovery chances. Opioids are known for their addictive properties, and the fentanyl withdrawal symptoms that come with long-term use can make stopping fentanyl challenging.

For example, the detox which the body goes through when stopping fentanyl can be painful and uncomfortable. The experience is less traumatic with the constant support of medical and mental health professionals at treatment centers.

Inpatient drug rehab for fentanyl offers 24-hour care amid trained support staff. Along with counseling sessions, therapy, and medical care, clients can also enjoy some leisure activities. Outpatient drug rehabilitation provides treatment for a portion of the day, with the opportunity to return home to other responsibilities.

Rehabilitation treatment facilities offer professional addiction specialists and therapists. These staff help clients develop behavioral interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to modify addictive thought patterns. Most rehabilitation facilities that offer rehab from fentanyl addiction also offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), along with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT utilizes medications like buprenorphine and methadone to treat addiction and help with fentanyl withdrawal.

Understanding the Severity of This Addiction

Addiction to this powerful opioid develops rapidly due to the drug’s extreme potency and powerful effects on the brain’s reward system. Even when used as prescribed for legitimate pain management, physical dependence can occur within days of regular use. The risk increases dramatically when the drug is misused or obtained illegally, where dosages are unpredictable and often combined with other dangerous substances.

What makes this particular opioid especially dangerous is the narrow margin between an effective dose and a lethal dose. Because of its extreme potency compared to morphine, even a small miscalculation in dosage can result in fatal consequences. This extreme strength means that tolerance builds quickly, leading users to require increasingly dangerous amounts to achieve the desired effects. The cycle of dependence becomes life-threatening faster than with most other opioids.

Why Professional Treatment is Essential

Attempting to overcome opioid dependence without professional help is extremely difficult and potentially dangerous. The detoxification process can be intensely uncomfortable, with severe physical and psychological symptoms that make it nearly impossible to quit without support. Medical supervision during detox ensures safety, manages symptoms effectively, and prevents complications that could lead to relapse or medical emergency.

Professional treatment addresses not only the physical dependence but also the psychological factors that contribute to substance use. Many individuals began using opioids for legitimate pain management and became dependent. Others may be self-medicating underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. Comprehensive treatment must address all these factors simultaneously to create lasting recovery.

Comprehensive Treatment at Compass Recovery

At Compass Recovery in Orange County, we provide expert care designed to address the unique challenges of opioid dependence. Our medically supervised detoxification program ensures safe management of symptoms in a comfortable, supportive environment. Our experienced medical team monitors clients around the clock and utilizes medication-assisted treatment when appropriate to ease discomfort and reduce cravings.

Following detox, our residential treatment program helps clients understand the root causes of their dependence and develop the skills needed for lasting recovery. We combine evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy with experiential activities, dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions, and purpose discovery work. Our individualized approach recognizes that every person’s journey is different and requires customized care.

Preventing Tragedy Through Treatment

The devastating increase in opioid-related deaths across the country underscores the critical importance of seeking treatment before tragedy strikes. Overdose can happen to anyone using these powerful drugs, whether it’s their first time or they’ve been using for years. The unpredictable nature of street drugs, often mixed with other substances without the user’s knowledge, makes every use potentially fatal.

Professional treatment is the most effective way to prevent overdose. By addressing dependence in a safe, structured environment, individuals can break free from the deadly cycle of use. Understanding the risks, recognizing warning signs, and having access to emergency intervention tools like naloxone are all important, but the ultimate solution is comprehensive care that addresses the underlying causes of substance use.

Get Help Today

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid dependence, immediate professional help can save a life. The dangers are real and growing, but recovery is absolutely possible with proper treatment and support. At Compass Recovery, our compassionate team has extensive experience treating opioid addiction and understands the unique challenges of dependence.

Don’t let addiction steal another day. Our admissions team is available 24/7 at (949) 444-9047 to answer questions, verify insurance coverage, and help you begin your journey toward freedom. We provide safe medical detox, comprehensive residential treatment, and ongoing support to help you build a life beyond addiction. Contact Compass Recovery today and take the first step toward recovery, wellness, and a future filled with purpose.

Resources

1. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2020/08/06/alarming-spike-fentanyl-related-overdose-deaths-leads-officials-issue
2. https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00438.asp
3. https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
4. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/fentanyl
5. https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling
6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314790
7. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids
8. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr67/nvsr67_09-508.pdf
9. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
10. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/information-about-medication-assisted-treatment-mat

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate support, please visit SAMHSA’s National Helpline or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.