Fentanyl continues to gain attention in the media as more stories break, relaying tales of people—both famous or otherwise—who have sadly passed due to fentanyl overdose. What is it about this prescription painkiller that makes it so dangerous? Why is it involved in so many overdose deaths? Get to know the facts about this powerful opioid so you can protect yourself and your loved ones from tragedy.
Fentanyl addiction can be especially challenging, but with the help of Promises Brazos Valley’s fentanyl rehab, you and those you care about will receive the tools and support needed to achieve sobriety.
Is Fentanyl Addictive?
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain reliever prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain caused by accidents, injuries, and chronic conditions like cancer. What makes it stand out from other opioid painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone is its potency. Fentanyl is an astounding 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Understandably, the drug carries a high risk for abuse and addiction.
Fentanyl addiction develops like this:
- Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain.
- The binding action results in a wave of euphoria and relaxation.
- The intense pleasurable feelings may prompt a person to use the drug more often.
- The brain becomes accustomed to the presence of fentanyl and becomes less efficient at producing feelings of pleasure without the drug.
- Withdrawal symptoms start to develop when not taking fentanyl, making it difficult to quit.
If fentanyl is so addictive, you may wonder why doctors would prescribe it to their patients. Because of its potency, medical providers typically only prescribe it in cases where less addictive painkillers don’t sufficiently manage pain. When used as prescribed, fentanyl can make a world of difference in managing unbearable pain. However, if misused, fentanyl can quickly lead to addiction.
How Do You Recognize Fentanyl Abuse in a Loved One?
The most important thing you can do to protect your loved ones from the consequences of fentanyl abuse is to recognize if they’re misusing the drug and encourage them to get professional help.
The Presence of Drug Paraphernalia
It’s important to know drug paraphernalia when you see it. Otherwise, you may not be alerted to a problem early on. Fentanyl can be delivered through several methods, including smoking, injecting, and simply swallowing a pill. If someone you know is misusing fentanyl, you might see burnt spoons, syringes, empty pill packages, or prescription bottles with someone else’s name on them. If your loved one is misusing their fentanyl prescription, you might notice they go through their bottle of pills very quickly or have multiple bottles of fentanyl on hand. This could indicate they’re doctor shopping or visiting more than one doctor to get additional fentanyl prescriptions.
Physical Symptoms
Fentanyl abuse can cause physical symptoms like excessive drowsiness, confusion, slowed breathing, and constricted pupils sometimes referred to as pinpoint pupils. If someone misuses fentanyl over a long period, they may also exhibit signs like excessive weight loss or a decline in personal hygiene.
Changes in Behavior
You can sometimes get a feeling that a loved one is misusing fentanyl or another drug when they start acting out of character. They might become socially withdrawn when they used to be a social butterfly or become secretive when they used to be very open with you. They might also suddenly start having financial problems when money had never been an issue before. Additionally, chronic fentanyl abuse can lead to mood swings, irritability, and unreliability in following through on personal responsibilities.
Contact Promises Brazos Valley to Enroll in Fentanyl Rehab Today
Fentanyl addiction is a considerable challenge, but it doesn’t have to take the life of someone you care about. Encourage your loved one to call Promises Brazos Valley today at 979.426.0086 to get the help they need to break free from fentanyl abuse. You can also schedule a tour of our treatment center by completing our online form.