Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
Fentanyl has taken the United States by storm, leading to thousands of overdose deaths yearly. This synthetic opioid analgesic generally comes from Mexico and is often found in pills that resemble Xanax, Oxycodone, and Adderall. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
In fact, someone can die from fentanyl if they take two milligrams of the substance. Therefore, fentanyl is extremely deadly, and to make matters worse, many people take fentanyl unwillingly. Fentanyl’s extreme potency and prevalence in other drugs make it a grave danger.
Understanding Fentanyl Addiction in the United States
Fentanyl has made headlines over the last decade, and for a good reason – it’s a crisis impacting all fifty states and territories. Despite the attention that fentanyl has received, there’s still a serious epidemic plaguing the United States. These facts and statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show just how severe the fentanyl problem is:
- Fentanyl looks like other drugs, making it easy to consume by accident
- It is a major contributor to overdose deaths in the United States
- 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl
- You can’t taste, see, or smell fentanyl
- Strip tests don’t always detect fentanyl-like drugs
While it’s not always easy to identify fentanyl, there are a few telltale signs of a fentanyl overdose. These signs include constricted pupils, a limp body, cold or discolored skin, and slow (or no) breathing. If someone you know may be overdosing on fentanyl, call 911 immediately and give them naloxone if available (per CDC guidelines). In addition, you should ensure that the person overdosing stays awake and breathing. Don’t leave their side until EMTs arrive.
The Risks of Using Fentanyl
Aside from the most obvious risk of fentanyl (overdose), there are several other dangers of using this synthetic opioid. First and foremost, fentanyl is highly addictive and hard to get off after you start using it. Many addicts long for the drug’s relaxing and euphoric sensation; after a while, they have to increase their dose to receive the desired effects. As one would imagine, increasing your dose of fentanyl can prove to be fatal. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the other risks of fentanyl include:
- Problems sleeping
- Severe urges
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Bone and muscle pain
- Cold flashes
Many of these symptoms occur shortly after stopping fentanyl use. Therefore, it’s challenging for fentanyl addicts to stop using the substance because they experience terrible side effects otherwise. Fortunately, fentanyl addicts can access some FDA-approved medication that eases withdrawal side effects, such as lofexidine.
A Glance at Fentanyl Addiction Withdrawal
Most drugs produce unfathomable withdrawal side effects, and fentanyl is no exception. When you stop using fentanyl, you may find yourself suffering from all-day goosebumps or severe cramps throughout your body. Additionally, you may experience increased anxiety and stress paired with digestive issues. Nevertheless, you should never attempt to quit fentanyl cold turkey, as doing so is extremely dangerous.
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Genesis House
Clients start fentanyl addiction treatment at our detox center. Genesis House has a comprehensive fentanyl detox center that helps recovering addicts flush fentanyl from their systems under the 24/7 supervision of medical care. Our goal is to make you as comfortable and safe as possible as you remove fentanyl and other toxins from your body. Therefore, we may administer medication to help ease some of the side effects of withdrawal.
After completing detox, clients work with a licensed staff member to determine the best treatment option for their long-term recovery needs. Some of the treatment programs available at Genesis House include:
- Residential treatment
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Outpatient rehabilitation
- Partial hospitalization program
- Holistic rehabilitation
- Dual diagnosis
No matter your treatment option, you can rest assured knowing you’ll receive industry-leading care and a wide range of science-backed therapy options. We design our program to focus on your spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. We truly believe that each component is imperative to long-term sobriety and self-fulfillment.
Therapy Options for Fentanyl Addiction
All our fentanyl addiction treatment programs come with various individual and group therapy options. Our science-backed therapy includes the following:
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Equine therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Life skills training
- Motivational therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Each therapy option helps you discover the root causes of your addiction while developing healthy coping mechanisms that allow you to move forward in life.
Start Your Recovery at Genesis House
If you or someone you love suffers from fentanyl addiction, Genesis House is ready to welcome you home. We have a wide range of comprehensive addiction treatment programs that will help you overcome your fentanyl addiction and live a life of sobriety. Please contact us today to learn more about our treatment options and verify your insurance.
