Understanding Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that was first used to treat severe pain in medical settings. While the effects and risks of fentanyl are similar to other opioids, such as heroin, OxyContin, or morphine, fentanyl is a significantly more powerful drug. Fentanyl is believed to have a potency that is over 50 times as powerful as heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine.
While people with a fentanyl addiction typically use a lower quantity of the drug than they would if they were using heroin, the high potency of the drug makes it incredibly easy to develop an addiction, experience an accidental overdose, or develop a powerful drug dependency.
Like other opioids, fentanyl works by attaching to opioid receptors within the brain. This can cause a number of effects, including:
- A sense of relaxation and euphoria
- Pain relief
- Slowed breathing
- “Nodding off,” or appearing to fall asleep while standing or sitting upright
But while these effects make fentanyl a common substance of abuse, they can quickly lead to long-lasting physical and mental health consequences, not the least of which is the development of fentanyl addiction.
As people use fentanyl repeatedly, their minds and bodies become dependent on the substance. Addiction causes lasting changes in the brain itself, making it difficult for people to stop on their own. It creates powerful drug cravings and produces intense physical withdrawal symptoms if people stop using fentanyl suddenly.
Signs And Symptoms Of Fentanyl Addiction
When a person has developed an opioid addiction, they can show several telltale signs and symptoms. Substance use disorders have wide-reaching effects, from physical consequences to financial trouble to difficulties in everyday functioning. Diagnosing an opioid addiction is typically done by a licensed mental health professional who assesses several factors to reach a diagnosis. There are 11 main criteria for an opioid use disorder, including:
- Using more fentanyl than intended or for longer than intended
- Unsuccessful efforts to quit fentanyl addiction on your own
- Spending a lot of time using fentanyl, seeking it out, or recovering from its effects
- Invasive and unwanted fentanyl cravings
- Fentanyl use interferes with responsibilities at home, work, or school
- Continued fentanyl use despite social problems caused by fentanyl use
- Giving up on important hobbies or activities in favor of fentanyl use
- Using fentanyl when it is dangerous to do so, such as while driving
- Continued fentanyl use despite worsening physical or mental health symptoms
- Tolerance, meaning it takes more fentanyl to achieve the desired effect
- Physical fentanyl withdrawal symptoms if use suddenly stops
Importantly, a person doesn’t have to show all of these symptoms to be diagnosed with fentanyl addiction. Meeting just two of these criteria can result in the diagnosis of a mild substance use disorder, with four or five symptoms being considered moderate and six or more considered severe.
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If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse and mental health problems, contact our drug and alcohol rehab center in the Greater Boston area to talk confidentially with an addiction specialist. For immediate help, call (978) 878-3677 or fill out the form below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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How A Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Program In Massachusetts Can Help
Despite the severe effects of addiction, it is possible to treat fentanyl addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. A fentanyl addiction recovery program offers several evidence-based treatments to help people overcome fentanyl addiction and build happier, healthier lives in recovery.
Fentanyl addiction treatment addresses each and every symptom and consequence faced by people living with a fentanyl addiction. At Paramount Recovery Center‘s fentanyl addiction treatment program Massachusetts, our addiction treatment centers offer several styles of therapy and treatment to assist people in the recovery process.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
If they are left untreated, the withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl can cause severe pain, chronic fatigue, depressed mood, and several uncomfortable physical side effects. While the worst of these symptoms typically resolve within a week after stopping fentanyl use, many symptoms can linger for months.
Medication-assisted treatment can help alleviate these symptoms through targeted medications paired with effective talk therapies. Medication-assisted treatment is an evidence-based practice and can dramatically increase the likelihood of long-term sobriety and success.
Individual & Group Therapy
Behavioral therapies at our addiction treatment programs play an important role in the recovery process. During individual therapy, our clients can uncover the root cause of their addiction, identify their unique triggers and high-risk situations, and develop strategies to resist relapse in the future.
Our fentanyl addiction treatment program Massachusetts offers several styles of individual therapy to help people overcome substance abuse problems, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Relapse prevention therapy
- Holistic therapy
Equally important, group therapy provides a space for people struggling with substance abuse to come together in a collaborative effort to achieve recovery. Group therapy can cultivate social support for recovery, allow group members to share their struggles with one another, and share effective strategies they’ve used with one another in an effort to overcome fentanyl addiction.
Family Therapy
Fentanyl addiction can cause serious harm to the people you care about the most. Family therapy can be a space for these families to come together, work through the harms of the past, and build a better life together in the future, free from the damage that substance use disorders can bring.
Get Answers to Your Questions Now
Start Fentanyl Addiction Treatment In Massachusetts Today
The opioid epidemic has led to hundreds of thousands of people struggling with opioid addiction. Opioid overdose deaths have been steadily rising over the last several years, and fentanyl overdose is driving the rates even higher. But no matter how severe your problems with addiction may be, our fentanyl rehab center can help you achieve lasting recovery.
Call the team at Paramount Recovery Centers today by dialing (978) 878-3677 or filling out our online contact form to hear more about our outpatient treatment options.
Whether you or your loved one are looking for an intensive outpatient program, a partial hospitalization program, or just a way to overcome fentanyl abuse, our team is ready to help.
