What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic or man-made opioid medication that was developed for pain management in patients diagnosed with cancer. It was first used as a patch on the skin to provide ongoing pain relief. Fentanyl is about 80 to 100 times stronger in controlling pain than morphine, but it is also highly addictive.

Fentanyl has often been misused, sometimes combined with morphine or even sold as heroin. When disguised as heroin, it can lead to overdose and death due to its high-powered effects. The drug provides a short-term high with feelings of euphoria. It slows the respirations and lowers blood pressure, causing the user to feel relaxed and even drowsy.

If you or a loved one suffer from a Fentanyl addiction, you can seek treatment with Legacy Healing Centers. Our drug rehab programs in Florida and New Jersey aim to help you move forward with your life through Fentanyl rehab.

Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction

Some people begin taking Fentanyl to help with pain management and cannot stop. They may require higher doses to feel the same effects as before. The drug changes the chemistry in the brain as it deals with pain. However, it can also prevent the dopamine receptors in the brain from working correctly, which causes the brain to require the drug to operate effectively.

Tolerance builds quickly with Fentanyl. A dose that provides a high one week may not be adequate even a week later.

If you are concerned about Fentanyl use by a loved one and are worried that it may have become a substance use disorder, you can seek help with a drug rehab center. Some symptoms of Fentanyl addiction include the following:

Side Effects of Fentanyl Abuse

When taken in high doses or misused, Fentanyl can cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting, confusion, and respiratory depression. One of the biggest issues for patients who are prescribed this medication for pain is that they may increase the dosage on their own to manage pain. Overdosing can lead to a coma and death.

You may experience the following side effects from withdrawal of Fentanyl when you stop taking it:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle weakness
• Elevated heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Increased respiratory rate
• Insomnia
• Anxiety

Withdrawal often happens when your body has become dependent on Fentanyl. The signs of dependency are the body’s ways of demonstrating that it wants more of the drug. To find relief from these unpleasant and often painful symptoms of Fentanyl withdrawals, many people begin using it again, which starts the cycle all over. Fentanyl treatment at a rehab center is the best way to overcome this problem.

Seek Help with Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

There is help if you suffer from Fentanyl addiction. Treatment designed to help you overcome the withdrawal symptoms and dependency on the drug is just one call away.

Legacy Healing Centers can provide the support you need for drug and alcohol rehab in Florida as you embark on your recovery journey. Contact us today to talk to a treatment specialist and learn more about our treatment centers in Florida and New Jersey.