Fentanyl Abuse Treatment
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a massively powerful, and dangerous synthetic opioid. This medical painkiller is very similar to morphine, albeit it 50 to 100 times more potent. Typically, it is used medically to treat severe pain after surgery. Some doctors prescribe small doses of it to help patients deal with chronic pain if the patient has developed a resistance or tolerance to other opiods. Fentanyl is lethal, even in the smallest doses— accidental overdoses occur from this synthetic opioid often, especially when it is mixed into the “cut” of other drugs, including: heroin, cocaine, and pressed pills.
In prescription form, it is known as such names as “Duragesic”, “Sublimaze”, or “Actiq”. It can be purchased illegally on the streets, and goes by such names as China White, China Girl, Jackpot, Dance Fever or Murder 8. As of 2017, it is now the most common opioid responsible for overdose. 59% of all opioid death and overdose contained fentanyl.
Fentanyl Abuse
From a prescription standpoint, fentanyl comes in a variety of mediums. Commonly, it can be used as a patch that is placed on the skin, injected, ingested orally or even sprayed into the nose. On the street, is typically found in either a pill form, or liquids that are put on papers or in eye droppers or spray bottles. Because it is so intensely powerful, it takes very little to get high. Many drug dealers will include fentanyl in the processing of other drugs like heroin, cocaine or meth. This is what makes overdosing so common. While using fentanyl, users experience extreme euphoria, however there are many side effects as well. Unfortunately, many people using street pills don’t even know that they are using fentanyl until they have overdosed.
When abusing fentanyl, people experience:
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Constricted Pupils
- Itchiness
- Confusion
- Flushing
- Difficulty Breathing
- Confusion
Fentanyl Detox
Because it is so deadly, medical treatment is highly recommended with detoxing from fentanyl. Without the medical monitoring and assistance provided by an accredited substance abuse treatment facility, serious complications may result from fentanyl withdrawal. Because We Care, Royal Life Centers has made it our mission to provide the safest, most effective medication-assisted fentanyl detox. It is important to us that our guests have the safest experience that they can, detoxing comfortably with proper supervision. After that, treatment is followed by carefully structured, individualized medical regiments, an intensive therapy program both group and one on one, and extensive aftercare options.
Fentanyl Detox Medication
Regardless of how you used it, or in what medium, fentanyl is one of the most powerful opioids we have. In fentanyl withdrawal, relief during the five to ten days of the symptoms can be provided through various medications including:
- Clonidine
- Buprenorphine (Subutex or “subs”)
- Buprenorphine with naloxone (Suboxone or “subs”)
These detox medications aim to ease the physical discomfort and help the recovering user rest. Warm baths, mild exercise, nutritional meals, and the compassionate support of recovery-sensitive nurses and counselors help ease a person through the withdrawal process. Fentanyl detox medicine, such as buprenorphine, should be discontinued as soon as possible because buprenorphine maintenance can change into buprenorphine abuse. Because the process is so sensitive, we here at Royal Life Centers only employ the most professional and qualified medical staff.
Fentanyl Withdrawal
Withdrawal from any drug is a painful, dangerous experience, which is why so many users relapse. Fentanyl withdrawal is no different in that regard, other than the added downside of being so dangerous. There are a number of symptoms of withdrawing, such as but not limited to:
- Restlessness
- Enlarged Pupils
- Muscle pain
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Nightmares
- Kidney Damage
- Eyes not responding to Light
- Abnormal Heart Rate
More severe symptoms are extreme craving, muscular twitches, hot and cold flashes, abdominal cramps, rapid breathing, fast pulse, chills, and lack of energy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of energy.
Not everyone experiences withdrawal the same. Depending on how much Fentanyl you have used, other substances you have consumed, your overall health and age, you may experience symptoms worse than others. Regardless, there is no easy way to withdraw from any substance. It is important to seek medical assistance when trying to stop addiction.
The Recovery Process
Long-term recovery for fentanyl users is often made difficult by malnutrition, infections, and diseases associated with intravenous drug use. These diseases most commonly include acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) and hepatitis. In fact, intravenous drug users in many areas of the country are the group with the highest risk of developing AIDS. Because fentanyl is so commonly found in heroin today, the risk of overdose and complications that come with blood-borne disease is extremely high for users.
Following medical detox at Royal Life Centers, guests will then begin a comprehensive, collaborative approach to substance abuse treatment designed to support physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Our program helps to promote a lasting, sober lifestyle through sobriety and beyond. Our addiction specialists, from our therapists and case managers to our facility staff, are dedicated to providing the best in care and support. Our holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy incorporates individual and group sessions. We use other holistic methods, such as art, music and animal therapy to help our guests to learn to express themselves and communicate. At Royal Life Centers, we believe that emotional healing is just as important as physical healing. Our treatment features state-of-the-art activity, movement, and adventure therapies to create one program that treats mind, body, and spirit.
Guests may begin their recovery journey in our residential inpatient program and continue with us through PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living at our graduate housing residences. At Royal Life Centers, the guest is always our top priority, and we consistently do all we can to effect lasting change, that they might continue to lead healthy, sober lives long after they have left our care. This is not just our goal, but our mission.
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