How Common is Fentanyl Addiction and Abuse?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever prescribed for managing moderate to severe pain in patients with chronic conditions. Similar to morphine, but 50 to 100 times more potent, fentanyl is considered to be extremely strong and can cause an overdose with just a few milligrams, making it the drug of choice for many people seeking opiates. In the past few years, the use of fentanyl has become widespread in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, many do not realize that this drug is extremely dangerous when abused. If you or a loved one struggles with an addiction to fentanyl, you may benefit from Fentanyl drug rehab.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States. In fact, 59% of opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl in 2017, as compared to 14% in 2010.
Similar to morphine and other opioids, fentanyl works by binding to the brain’s opioid receptors, which control pain and emotions. When someone abuses these kinds of drugs, the brain adapts and diminishes their sensitivity to make it hard to feel pleasure from anything but the drug itself. Side effects from fentanyl addiction can include:
- Extreme happiness or euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Trouble breathing
- Unconsciousness
Because fentanyl is so potent, it’s easier to become addicted to it. You or a loved one may struggle with an addiction to fentanyl if you experience these side effects:
- Social withdrawal or social isolation
- Visible mood swings
- Extreme lethargy
- Willingness to engage in risky behaviors
- Lack of personal hygiene
The good news is drug rehab can really help individuals who may struggle with an addiction to fentanyl and other drugs or alcohol.
How Fentanyl Drug Detox Works
Drug detox removes drugs and related toxins from the body to avoid harmful side effects. Fentanyl detoxification is when the toxic chemicals accumulated in the body are removed. Fentanyl detox is also known as opioid detox which occurs in drug rehab. This process is the most effective way of removing fentanyl from the body. The use of fentanyl can be fatal and its effects are devastating, which is why it’s important for anyone who regularly uses this drug to seek help from professionals in detoxification programs at drug rehab facilities. Detox from fentanyl can be difficult, but it can be manageable with proper treatment and support from a healthcare provider or addiction specialist. Fentanyl causes a buildup of metabolites in the body that must be cleared through urine testing.
How Long Does Drug Rehab for Fentanyl Take: Timelines and More
Fentanyl drug detox and drug rehab are designed to help you avoid the unpleasant effects of withdrawing from a drug. Withdrawal from fentanyl is considered to be one of the most difficult and dangerous withdrawals. The formula for this detox process is specially designed for individuals who are currently taking fentanyl and looking to come off it.
The severity of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms and the duration of those symptoms depend on how long the drug was used, the dose is taken, and how often it was taken. Short-acting opioids like morphine and immediate-release formulations of medications such as fentanyl result in the onset of withdrawal symptoms eight to 24 hours after the last drug use. These symptoms usually peak in intensity 36 to 72 hours after the last dose was taken and typically continue for seven to 10 days but may last for a few weeks. Common fentanyl withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle or bone pain
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Increased body temperature
- Sweating
- Chills
While in drug rehab, medications like methadone and buprenorphine can help alleviate some of the harmful symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal. The length of time it takes someone to detox from fentanyl differs depending on the individual. Many variables affect symptom severity, such as the amount, frequency, and duration of one’s use, plus the potency of the fentanyl used.
What’s Next After Finishing Rehab for Fentanyl?
Drug rehab is a place for people to go to recover from drug addiction and start a new life. In drug rehab, patients will attend classes and meetings, but there’s also time set aside for clients to do things such as exercise or just relax. After your time at the drug rehab center, you will be released into the world you left behind to go to rehab. With the support of others and a change of heart, it’s possible to live a life free from drugs.
It’s important to know that it takes time to get back to where you were before your addiction to fentanyl. After completing drug rehab, you may have to adjust to friends, family members, or co-workers seeing you in a new light. Patients who complete rehab may have to readjust to their new lifestyle and find new friends who don’t use drugs. Others may have to find new careers and start new routines.
Addiction is a lifelong condition, but that doesn’t mean using drugs must continue after treatment. Having a game plan for continuing care is important before you leave drug rehab treatment. After rehab, several great options exist for continuing support and living a healthy lifestyle. Some of these include joining social groups that celebrate sobriety and take action to stay clean.
How Effective is Drug Rehab for Fentanyl Addiction?
Drug rehab centers are a great way for individuals to overcome their addictions. Often, the best drug rehab programs for Fentanyl combine individual and group therapy with onsite medication treatment to ensure patient safety and long-term recovery. Drug rehab has been proven effective in most cases of addiction, including fentanyl. Plus, getting help for an addiction is cheaper than abusing drugs, and with treatment, there is a greater chance that those with an addiction will be able to live normal lives, raise families, keep jobs, and all the other great things people do when they’re not on drugs.
Drugs can be dangerous and take over your life, but help is available. By learning to cope with addiction, people can live long, happy, and healthy lives without drugs. Learn how to stay away from drugs or prevent yourself from using them in the first place by attending drug rehab for addiction in a safe and supportive environment.
Fentanyl Drug Rehab: TruPath Is a Premier Choice to Get Help for Fentanyl Addiction
If you or a loved one needs a drug rehab program that will help you overcome your addiction and lead a better life, TruPath Recovery is the right place for you. With our proven treatment methods, the right combination of professional services, and a supportive community of individuals recovering from addiction, we can help you start living the life you deserve.
TruPath Recovery is a drug rehab center that will consider an individual’s needs and provide the best care possible. The plan and program designed for each person who attends their program ensure that they can leave the facility free of drugs, return to their daily routines, and lead healthy lives. Contact TruPath Recovery today at (888)292-1933 to learn more about how you can receive help for your addiction.
