Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Program Massachusetts

Introduction to Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl addiction is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention and treatment. As a powerful synthetic opioid, fentanyl is often prescribed to manage severe pain, but its high potency and addictive nature can lead to dependence and overdose. Fentanyl addiction treatment programs are designed to help individuals overcome their dependence on the drug and achieve long-term recovery. These programs typically involve a combination of medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, and support groups to address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.

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. Fentanyl dependence can lead to serious health repercussions, including gastrointestinal issues, and requires comprehensive treatment options.

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

Fentanyl misuse can lead to immune system suppression, making users more vulnerable to infections and illnesses, thereby complicating their recovery process.

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. Increased tolerance leads individuals to require higher doses to achieve the desired effects, which significantly raises the risk of respiratory issues and life-threatening consequences. 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.

Fentanyl also disrupts emotional regulation and cognitive functions due to changes in brain chemistry.

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:

1. Using more fentanyl than intended or for longer than intended
2. Unsuccessful efforts to quit fentanyl addiction on your own
3. Spending a lot of time using fentanyl, seeking it out, or recovering from its effects
4. Intense and unwanted fentanyl cravings
5. Fentanyl use interferes with responsibilities at home, work, or school
6. Continued fentanyl use despite social problems caused by fentanyl use
7. Giving up on important hobbies or activities in favor of fentanyl use
8. Using fentanyl when it is dangerous to do so, such as while driving
9. Continued fentanyl use despite worsening physical or mental health symptoms
10. Tolerance, meaning it takes more fentanyl to achieve the desired effect
11. 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. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is inevitable when detoxing from fentanyl, making professional support crucial.

The psychological effects of fentanyl withdrawal, such as depression and cravings, can persist long after the physical symptoms have subsided, highlighting the need for long-term support and treatment.

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 treatment center offers several evidence-based treatments to help people overcome fentanyl addiction and build happier, healthier lives in recovery. Contacting a reputable addiction treatment center is crucial for receiving the necessary support and services.

Medical detox is an essential part of the recovery process, helping individuals safely withdraw from fentanyl under professional guidance to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

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 management is also a key component of the overall care services provided during treatment.

Individual and group therapy sessions at our center focus on addressing the underlying causes of addiction. By targeting these root issues, we help individuals develop coping skills and establish a supportive network, which is crucial for enhancing the success rate of recovery efforts.

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. Prescribed fentanyl, often used to treat severe chronic pain, carries significant risks, including the potential for dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms, necessitating professional treatment.

Taking fentanyl poses a significant risk of overdose, especially when combined with other substances. 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 underlying causes 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.

Managing Withdrawal Symptoms

Managing withdrawal symptoms is a critical aspect of fentanyl addiction treatment. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and uncomfortable, but with the right treatment and support, individuals can overcome them. Common fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Medication-assisted treatment, such as methadone or buprenorphine, can help reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, can help individuals develop coping strategies and prevent relapse.

Day Treatment Program

A day treatment program is a type of outpatient program that provides intensive treatment and support for individuals struggling with fentanyl addiction. These programs typically involve a combination of medication-assisted treatment, individual and group therapy, and support groups. Day treatment programs are designed to provide a structured environment for individuals to receive treatment and support while still living at home. This type of program is ideal for individuals who require ongoing support and treatment but do not need 24/7 supervision.

Aftercare and Alumni Support

Aftercare and alumni support are essential components of fentanyl addiction treatment. After completing a treatment program, individuals may still require ongoing support and guidance to maintain their sobriety. Aftercare programs provide individuals with access to ongoing therapy, support groups, and other resources to help them stay on track with their recovery. Alumni support groups, on the other hand, provide individuals with a sense of community and connection with others who have gone through similar experiences. These groups can help individuals stay motivated and inspired to maintain their sobriety and achieve long-term recovery.

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 through our comprehensive outpatient programs and by assisting you in understanding your insurance coverage.

Providing ongoing support is crucial to ensure that individuals stay motivated and successfully transition from treatment to daily life.

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.