Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl is an opioid drug that is synthesized in a laboratory. Fentanyl is extremely powerful, one of the strongest prescription painkillers on the market today, and is only distributed legally by physicians. It is most often used during and following surgery to deal with severe pain during recovery and longer term for pain from cancers and other diseases. Fentanyl is relatively short acting when given as an injection, gum, mouth spray, or lollipop. For longer, time-released pain control, fentanyl is available in patch form for transdermal application. Fentanyl addiction can happen quickly as most will develop a tolerance to their therapeutic doses. Like other opioid drugs, fentanyl creates a rush of pleasure and euphoric sensations which make the drug attractive to those looking for a powerful high.

The risk of overdose when taking fentanyl is very high. The threshold between a therapeutic amount and an overdose is small, and this adds to the risk taken by individuals using fentanyl illicitly. The main cause of fentanyl addiction overdose is respiratory failure. Because this drug works by depressing the central nervous system, certain basic functions such as breathing are compromised when high doses of this drug are taken. Studies have shown that women experience chronic pain more than men do, and that fentanyl is one of the more abused opioids distributed by prescription to women. Fentanyl addiction is higher in women and teenagers than men.

Fentanyl withdrawal should be handled in a drug detox center as the process can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. When an individual goes through withdrawal, their tolerance level begins to fall. This can cause the addict to mistakenly overdose should they relapse. A fatal dose of fenyanyl can cause respiratory depression that leads to coma and death. There are several medications that detox patients can use under medical supervision which can greatly reduce the side effects caused by fentanyl withdrawal and, therefore, reduce drug cravings. Some of these medications are buprenorphine and naltrexone. Both these drugs work within the brain to minimize pleasurable sensations of fentanyl use and reduce the desire to seek opiate drugs like fentanyl. Clonodine can also be used to treat intense drug-seeking behaviors by limiting cravings.

When treating individuals that have past opioid addictions there is the risk that their lifestyle has exposed them to diseases and other illness. This will require medical professionals treating the individuals’ fentanyl withdrawal to carefully consider a treatment plan. One such intervention would be avoiding the addition of drugs for the treatment of addiction that may trigger a response that increases the risk of seizures or other dangerous side effects. Should you have a loved one who you suspect needs treatment for fentanyl addiction or other opiate addiction treatments, call us today for more information.