Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
Fentanyl: A Growing Crisis in the U.S.
Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has become a leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States. While it has legitimate medical uses when prescribed by a doctor, the illicit use of fentanyl presents significant dangers, including a high risk of addiction and overdose.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Recognizing the dangers and spotting the warning signs are critical steps in initiating timely treatment and saving lives.
Specialized Care at Canyon Vista Recovery Center
Located in Mesa, Arizona, Canyon Vista offers compassionate, comprehensive care for individuals struggling with fentanyl use or the misuse of other prescription opioids.
Understanding Fentanyl
Initially developed for severe pain management, fentanyl has increasingly infiltrated illegal drug markets, contributing to the surge in opioid-related deaths. Its extreme potency—50 to 100 times stronger than morphine—makes it particularly dangerous.
Fentanyl is often odorless and tasteless, appearing in various forms such as injections, pain patches, pills, powder, or liquid. It’s frequently mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine without the user’s knowledge, significantly increasing the risk of overdose.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, became the leading cause of overdose deaths by 2016, with 19,413 fatalities linked to these substances out of 42,248 opioid-related deaths that year.
Why Fentanyl Use is Increasing
Despite its dangers, fentanyl’s intense high makes it appealing. In addition to relieving pain, it can induce feelings of relaxation, drowsiness, and euphoria. Legitimate medical uses include pain management for cancer patients or post-surgical recovery, but even prescribed use can lead to dependency, particularly as tolerance develops.
Forms of fentanyl include:
- Oral lozenges – generally known as fentanyl “lollipops” (medication name – Actiq)
- Nasal spray (medication name – Lazanda)
- Sublingual dissolving tablets (medication name – Abstral)
- Injectable liquid (medication name – Fentanyl citrate)
- Transdermal patches (medication name – Duragesic)
- Dissolvable film strips or tablets (medication name – Fentora)
Illegally produced fentanyl is found in either a powder or counterfeit tablet form. It can be taken orally, snorted, smoked, or injected.
- Just a very tiny amount of fentanyl can cause an overdose. In fact, the amount needed is so small that on the head of a penny you could fit at least 12 lethal doses.
- Inhaling fentanyl powder that is airborne can cause a reaction.
- An overdose can be caused just by touching the drug to bare skin.
- An oral formulation of fentanyl contains enough of the drug to cause death to a child.
- The difference between a dose of fentanyl that is therapeutic and one that is fatal is very small.
- Fentanyl is so potent that it often takes multiple doses of Narcan to effectively reverse an overdose.
Categories
Effects of Fentanyl Use
Fentanyl affects the central nervous system, leading to serious mental and physical health consequences:
- Weakened immune system
- Chronic constipation
- Seizures
- Social withdrawal
- Loss of motivation
- Rapid mood swings
- Paranoia and hallucinations
- Anxiety and depression
- Impaired judgment
Signs of Fentanyl Overdose
An overdose can occur even with small amounts of fentanyl, particularly when combined with other substances. Warning signs include:
- Constricted pupils
- Difficulty walking or talking
- Dizziness or fainting
- Shallow breathing
- Gurgling sounds
- Cold, clammy skin
- Unresponsiveness
In case of an overdose, call 911 immediately. Naloxone can reverse the effects of fentanyl, though multiple doses may be required.
Withdrawing from Fentanyl
Withdrawal from fentanyl is difficult and often painful. Symptoms may include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Irritability and anxiety
- Restlessness and exhaustion
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Professional support is crucial for safe withdrawal. Canyon Vista offers medically supervised detox programs to manage these symptoms and ensure safety.
Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction
- Detox is just the beginning. Canyon Vista provides tailored treatment programs, including:
- Inpatient and intensive outpatient care
- Individual and group therapy
- Relapse prevention strategies
- Family programming
- Holistic therapies like yoga, meditation, and aqua therapy
Our alumni program ensures continued support through therapy, recovery resources, and the CaredFor app.
Addressing Dual Diagnosis and Chronic Pain
Fentanyl addiction is often linked to mental health conditions like anxiety or depression or driven by chronic pain. Canyon Vista’s dual-diagnosis treatment addresses these issues simultaneously, offering mental health assessments and strategies to manage pain without compromising health.
Get Help Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with fentanyl addiction, Canyon Vista Recovery Center in Mesa is here to help. With a holistic, “co-occurring capable” approach, we provide comprehensive care to support recovery and long-term well-being. Contact us today to learn more.
