Everything You Need to Know About Fentanyl
Discover all you need to know about fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Learn more about it here.
Fentanyl Overview
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is a potent painkiller used to manage severe pain after surgery, injury, or chronic pain in patients who are already tolerant to other opioids. In recent years, people have started using this substance for fun, causing more and more people to die from an overdose.
This article will explain everything about fentanyl. In this article, you will discover what the drug is used for and how it affects your body and mind when taken. You’ll also find out how addictive it is and what kind of help is available for people struggling with fentanyl addiction. It will also cover the side effects you might experience after taking the drug.
Type of Medicine
Fentanyl is a type of medicine made in a lab that can help people who have extreme pain and are not getting relief from other pain medicines. It is highly potent and can be 50-100 times stronger than morphine, making it a powerful painkiller.
However, many people now use fentanyl recreationally, and this has caused many deaths from overdose. People can get fentanyl in different ways, like stealing from someone’s prescription or making it themselves.1
Effects on the Body and Brain
A highly potent synthetic opioid, fentanyl can impact both the body and the brain in various ways. Below are some significant points to keep in mind concerning how fentanyl impacts the body and brain:
- When someone takes this drug, it attaches to particular parts of their brain and nervous system called opioid receptors. It can help them feel less pain and also make them feel relaxed and happy.
- It can make someone's body get used to having it, so when they stop taking it, they might feel sick and uncomfortable. It is because their brain and body got used to having the drug around, and now they have to get used to not having it anymore.
- The drug also can slow down breathing and heart rate, which can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
- It can cause many different side effects that can happen right away or over a long time. These side effects include feeling sick, throwing up, having trouble going to the bathroom, feeling confused, having trouble breathing, and hurting your liver and kidneys.
- It can change how someone's brain works, especially in the parts of the brain that control feeling good and wanting things. It can make it easy for someone to become addicted to the drug and cause them to act differently in the long term.2
Side Effects
Using fentanyl can cause a range of short-term and long-term side effects. The drug’s short-term side effects should be temporary and not a cause for concern unless the effects become severe. Call your doctor or emergency services immediately if they will not go away or have become life-threatening.
Short-Term Side Effects
Some of the short-term side effects include the following:
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion and disorientation
- Itching and rash
- Reduced heart rate and blood pressure
- Sweating and flushing
Long-Term Side Effects
- Physical dependence and addiction
- Tolerance, which can lead to higher doses and increased risk of overdose
- Compromised immune system and a higher likelihood of contracting infections
- Respiratory depression and failure
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Sexual dysfunction
- Cognitive impairment and memory loss
Why Do People Use It?
People use fentanyl for various reasons, primarily for its potent pain-relieving properties. It is often prescribed to people with severe pain, such as cancer patients, who are already tolerant to other opioids. When used as directed, the drug can be a safe and effective pain management option.
However, some people use this substance for its euphoric effects. Some people use it as a recreational drug by buying it illegally or through prescription fraud. Some people think they are consuming another drug, when it’s actually laced with/predominantly fentanyl. Using this drug for any reason without a doctor’s help is very dangerous and can cause serious harm.4
Addiction
Fentanyl use can quickly lead to chronic and potentially life-threatening addiction. Below are some significant points to consider concerning fentanyl use and addiction:
- It is a highly addictive opioid drug that can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped.
- Individuals who use it for medical purposes, such as pain relief, are also at risk of developing an addiction if the drug is misused or for an extended period of time.
- Fentanyl addiction can be challenging to overcome without professional help, as the drug is highly potent and can cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Treatment for an addiction to the drug typically involves a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies, and support groups to address addiction's physical and psychological aspects.
- Relapse is common during recovery, but it is important to continue working with a qualified addiction specialist and maintaining ongoing support to prevent future relapses.
Other Drugs
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid often mixed with other drugs, intentionally or unintentionally, which can significantly increase the risk of overdose and death. Below are some crucial points to consider concerning the relationship between fentanyl and other drugs:
- Illicit drug manufacturers often mix it with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, to increase the potency and effects of the drug.
- Sometimes, people mix drugs with other dangerous stuff, which is called drug lacing. When this happens, it's hard to know how strong the drug is or what it might do to your body. It can be dangerous, as someone could accidentally overdose on the drug and die.
- Some prescription drugs, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, can also interact with fentanyl, increasing the risk of respiratory depression and other serious health problems.
- The danger of drug lacing particularly concerns fentanyl due to its high potency, which means even a small amount of the drug can be deadly.
- Having knowledge of the risks of drug lacing and avoiding the use of drugs without medical supervision is crucial to one's safety and well-being.
Treatment Options
Fentanyl addiction is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt and effective treatment. Below are some important points to consider concerning the available treatment options for an addiction to this drug:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): This is often used to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Common medications used in MAT include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
- Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or contingency management, can help individuals address the underlying causes of addiction and develop coping skills to prevent relapse.
- Support groups: Narcotics Anonymous and other similar support groups can offer individuals in recovery a community to connect with and gain peer support.
- Inpatient treatment: In severe cases, inpatient treatment or residential rehab programs may be necessary to help individuals overcome fentanyl addiction.
- Treatment plans: Treatment plans for an addiction to this drug should be individualized and tailored to each person's unique needs, considering factors such as the severity of the addiction, co-occurring mental health disorders, and social support networks.
- Aftercare: Ongoing support and aftercare are critical to maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse after completing treatment.
Opportunities for Healing at Essence Healthcare
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, seeking help is crucial for a successful recovery. It is a powerful pain medication that is made in a laboratory. Doctors use it to help people with terrible pain, especially cancer patients. However, it has also become a significant drug of abuse, with illicitly manufactured versions causing a surge in overdose deaths in recent years.
At Essence Healthcare, we provide comprehensive, personalized treatment for fentanyl addiction. The team at this center is made up of kind experts who offer the best care and various treatment plans to help people beat addiction and stay healthy. We have different ways to help, like taking harmful things out of the body, staying at the center, coming back for visits, and using medicine to help with recovery. They use these many other methods to help people get better, stay healthy, and return to their everyday lives.
Reach Out Today
At Essence Healthcare, you or your loved one can receive the care and support needed to overcome addiction and achieve a healthier life. Choose Essence Healthcare today and take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow.
