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Fentanyl Addiction: Effects, Symptoms & Treatment

Fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that comes with an extremely high risk of misuse and abuse. While this powerful drug does have legitimate medical uses for pain, its growing presence in the illicit drug supply has contributed to a massive surge in fatal overdoses nationwide, making awareness and prevention more crucial than ever. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with fentanyl addiction, Empowered Recovery Center can help. Contact us today for more information on our drug and alcohol rehab in Kansas City and how we treat fentanyl addiction. 

What Is Fentanyl?   

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery. It is also used to treat chronic pain that has proven resistant to other opioids. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such brand names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. 

While fentanyl is legal to use as prescribed by a medical professional, illicit fentanyl has flooded the illegal drug market in the U.S.1 Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are now the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the U.S.2 

Illicit fentanyl comes in either powder form that can be snorted or smoked, or in counterfeit tablets, mimicking pharmaceutical drugs such as oxycodone. Illicit fentanyl is sold alone or mixed with other illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine. Street names for illicit fentanyl include Dance Fever, Friend, He-Man, and Jackpot.3 

Effects of Fentanyl Addiction 

Fentanyl can have numerous effects on both the body and mind. These effects can be more severe and more apparent when fentanyl is abused, or taken in larger doses or for a longer period than prescribed. 

Fentanyl’s effects are similar to those of other opioids such as morphine, hydrocodone, and heroin. Its pleasurable effects include relaxation, euphoria, and relief from pain. Other fentanyl side effects may include1,4

  • Confusion 
  • Drowsiness 
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Urinary retention 
  • Pupillary constriction 
  • Respiratory depression or slowed breathing 
  • Unconsciousness 

          Risk of Fentanyl-Laced Drugs 

          A large number of illegal drugs being sold in the U.S. are cut or laced with illicit fentanyl. The reason for this is that fentanyl is cheap to make, so illegal drug manufacturers use it to increase the potency of other illicit substances in order to increase their profits.5 Also, fentanyl is more addictive than most other illicit drugs, as well as tasteless and odorless, making it hard to detect.6 

          The presence of fentanyl in other drugs increases the risk of accidental drug overdose, as people are liable to take fentanyl without knowing it. In fact, fentanyl accounted for nearly 75,000 drug overdose deaths in 2023, more than the number of U.S. overdose deaths caused by psychostimulants (including methamphetamine) and cocaine combined.7 

          Substances that are commonly mixed or laced with fentanyl include:8 

                      Fentanyl Overdose Symptoms 

                      Like other opioids, fentanyl has a high risk of overdose. This risk is increased when the drug is misused, or taken in larger doses or more frequently than prescribed. Combining fentanyl with respiratory depressants like alcohol or stimulants like methamphetamine also raises the risk of overdose, as the combined effects of these drugs are often stronger and more unpredictable than the individual effects of each drug.9 

                      Another risk of overdose can come during relapse, or using fentanyl after having not used it for a long time. This is due to the body’s tolerance to fentanyl having been lowered.10 Common fentanyl overdose symptoms include:3 

                      • Stupor 
                      • Changes in pupil size 
                      • Clammy skin 
                      • Cyanosis (blueish-purple discoloration of the skin and nails) 
                      • Coma 
                      • Respiratory depression

                      Naloxone is an opioid overdose reversal medication (OORM) that can restore normal breathing for people whose breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose, including illicit fentanyl.11 

                      Naloxone is available as an injectable solution and nasal spray, which goes by the brand name Narcan™. People who are given naloxone should be monitored for two hours after the last dose of naloxone is given to ensure breathing does not slow or stop.1 

                      Fentanyl Addiction & Dependence   

                      Misuse of fentanyl can increase a person’s risk of physical dependence and addiction, otherwise known as opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD is a complex illness characterized by the compulsive use of opioids like fentanyl even when the user wants to stop, or when using opioids damages one’s physical or emotional well-being.  

                      Fentanyl misuse can include taking the drug in larger doses or more frequently than prescribed. People with certain health conditions or characteristics, such as age, respiratory conditions like sleep apnea or asthma, and low energy, may be more sensitive to fentanyl’s effects, which could lead to fentanyl overdose.10 Also, people who use fentanyl-laced opioids and other drugs without knowing they are ingesting fentanyl may find themselves quickly addicted, due to fentanyl’s potency. 

                      Physical dependence on opioids and addiction to opioids are different conditions. Dependence is characterized by the body’s adaptation to the drug, leading to a higher tolerance—the body’s ability to process larger and larger doses of the drug—and withdrawal symptoms if usage is stopped. 

                       Signs of Fentanyl Addiction  

                      Addiction to fentanyl is characterized by the following behaviors:12 

                      •  Craving or strong desire to use fentanyl 
                      • A persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control fentanyl use 
                      • Spending significant time seeking fentanyl, using fentanyl, or recovering from its effects 
                      • Neglecting important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of fentanyl use 
                      • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using fentanyl 
                      • Continuing to use fentanyl despite negative consequences, including legal, social, or health consequences 

                              Fentanyl Withdrawal & Detox 

                              Chronic users of fentanyl can experience uncomfortable, often intense withdrawal symptoms once they stop using the drug. While these symptoms are not life-threatening, they can be uncomfortable. People attempting to quit fentanyl can experience serious difficulty when it comes to avoiding relapse. 

                              Some common fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:1 

                              • Intense drug cravings 
                              • Agitation and anxiety 
                              • Sweating and hypertension  
                              • Diarrhea  
                              • Nausea and vomiting 
                              • Uncontrollable leg movements 
                              • Sleep problems 

                                        People looking to effectively quit using fentanyl should enter a fentanyl rehab program. Fentanyl rehab typically starts with a medically supervised detox program. Some detox programs offer to ease the process with the help of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). MAT prescribes FDA-approved medications to address severe withdrawal symptoms alongside behavioral therapy. 

                                        How is Fentanyl Addiction Treated? 

                                        Addiction to fentanyl, or OUD, can be treated in various settings, though it starts with detox and can end with outpatient treatment and aftercare. An effective fentanyl treatment should be medically designed to help the patient avoid relapse and develop life skills with the help of counseling and addiction therapies.  

                                        Finding the right fentanyl treatment program depends on the patient’s health history, the substance or substances to which they are addicted, and the length of their addiction. Treatment settings for fentanyl addiction include: 

                                        • Inpatient treatment, also known as residential treatment, requires the patient to temporarily reside in a rehab facility to receive comprehensive, individualized therapy and support. This treatment gives patients the resources to manage their addiction over the long term and develop life skills to enable them to live healthier lives. 
                                        • Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) represent a “step down” from inpatient treatment by offering intensive addiction treatment without the residential stay. In PHP, patients attend a program for several hours a day, three to five days per week. PHP programs enable people to manage their long-term withdrawal symptoms while developing important life and coping skills.
                                        • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) offer multiple therapy sessions per week. These sessions can include individual counseling and group therapy to address various aspects of OUD recovery. IOPs are appropriate for those who require more support than standard outpatient programs but are well-positioned to succeed in their recovery with a less intensive treatment than PHPs. 
                                        • Outpatient programs (OP) offer flexible treatment options, allowing patients to live in their own homes and address everyday work, school, or family duties while receiving treatment. OP treatment can take place via recurring office, virtual, or telehealth visits for counseling and medication support. OP is a viable standalone treatment option for those with mild or moderate substance use disorders. 
                                        • Aftercare is the ongoing support and treatment given during the period after a person graduates from addiction treatment. Aftercare is designed to help people stick with their recovery goals and live happier, more productive lives. This treatment can involve individual therapy or group support.  

                                        Many fentanyl addiction treatment programs offer dual diagnosis treatment, a therapeutic approach that simultaneously addresses the addiction along with any co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Treatment programs may also continue offering MAT, which involves the issuance of prescription medications in combination with therapy. 

                                        Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Atlanta 

                                        At Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta, we provide our clients with the life skills they need to effect positive changes in their lives. Our fentanyl addiction treatment can assist you in taking that first step toward long-term recovery. 

                                        We offer a wide range of fentanyl rehab programs to suit your needs. These include partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and outpatient programs (OP). We also include one year of free recovery coaching to provide support once you’ve completed your program. We accept many insurance plans and can work with out-of-network insurance plans to get you the help you need. Our admissions team can verify your benefits, either over the phone or online, so that you’ve got all the details of paying for rehab, including using insurance to pay for rehab. 

                                        If you’re ready to learn more about our comprehensive opioid addiction treatment offerings, call us today or fill out our contact form to take that first step toward a brighter future. 

                                        References

                                        1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2021). Fentanyl DrugFacts. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl 
                                        2. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2024). Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates#Fig5
                                        3. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (n.d.). Fentanyl. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl 
                                        4. Department of Justice/U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (2020). Drug Fact Sheet: Fentanyl. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Fentanyl-2020_0.pdf 
                                        5. Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Behavioral Health Prevention and Federal Grants (n.d.). Georgia Department of Behavioral Health. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://opioidresponse.info/fentanyl-risks/ 
                                        6. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (2024). Public Health Advisory: Fentanyl Increasingly Present in Overdose Deaths in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/ph-advisory.htm 
                                        7. National Center for Health Statistics (2024). U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240515.htm 
                                        8. Northwestern University Student Affairs. Fentanyl Overdose Prevention. Northwestern University. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.northwestern.edu/aodresources/harm-reduction/fentanyl-overdose-prevention.html 
                                        9. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2024). Opioids. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids 
                                        10. Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (n.d.). Risk Factors for Opioid Misuse, Addiction, and Overdose. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/opioids/riskfactors 
                                        11. Oregon Health Authority (n.d.). Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications. Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/substanceuse/opioids/pages/reverseoverdose.aspx 
                                        12. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/education-docs/dsm-5-dx-oud-8-28-2017.pdf 
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