Understanding Fentanyl Addiction: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment

What is Fentanyl and Why is it So Dangerous?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid originally developed as a prescription pain medication for severe pain, such as advanced cancer pain or after major surgery. When prescribed by a doctor, fentanyl comes as a shot, a patch worn on the skin, or as lozenges.

However, most fentanyl-related overdoses are linked to illegally made fentanyl sold as powder, dropped onto blotter paper, put in eye droppers and nasal sprays, or made into pills that look like other prescription opioids.

What makes fentanyl particularly dangerous:

1. Extreme potency: Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Even tiny amounts can cause overdose.
2. Often mixed with other drugs: Drug dealers frequently mix fentanyl with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA because it takes very little to produce a high, making it cheaper. Many people don't realize their drugs contain fentanyl.
3. Rapid overdose risk: Because of its potency, fentanyl can quickly cause respiratory depression (slowed or stopped breathing), leading to brain damage and death if not treated immediately.

How Does Fentanyl Addiction Develop?

Like other opioids, fentanyl works by binding to the body's opioid receptors in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. After taking opioids many times, the brain adapts, reducing its sensitivity and making it difficult to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug.

When someone develops fentanyl addiction (also called opioid use disorder involving fentanyl), several factors are typically involved:

• Brain chemistry changes: Regular fentanyl use changes how the brain's reward system functions.
• Physical dependence: The body adapts to the presence of fentanyl and experiences withdrawal when the drug is stopped.
• Tolerance: Over time, more fentanyl is needed to achieve the same effect.
• Continued use despite negative consequences: A hallmark of addiction is continuing to use fentanyl despite harmful effects on health, relationships, work, and other areas of life.

It's important to understand that addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing or choice. Many factors influence addiction risk, including genetics, mental health conditions, trauma history, and environmental factors.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction?

Recognizing the signs of fentanyl addiction can help people get treatment sooner. Common symptoms include:

Physical signs:

• Constricted pupils
• Drowsiness or nodding off
• Slurred speech
• Constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Itching or scratching
• Slowed breathing
• Poor coordination

Behavioral signs:

• Using larger amounts than intended
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control use
• Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from fentanyl
• Strong cravings or urges to use
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Continuing use despite relationship problems
• Giving up important activities because of fentanyl use
• Using in physically dangerous situations
• Continuing use despite physical or psychological problems

Withdrawal symptoms when not using fentanyl can also indicate addiction. These are discussed in more detail below.

What Happens During Fentanyl Withdrawal?

When a person who is dependent on fentanyl suddenly reduces or stops taking it, withdrawal symptoms occur. These symptoms begin as early as a few hours after the last dose and can include:

• Muscle and bone pain
• Sleep problems
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Cold flashes with goose bumps
• Uncontrollable leg movements
• Severe cravings

These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and are a major reason many people find it difficult to stop taking fentanyl without help. The good news is that medications exist to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Unlike alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening. However, it can be severely uncomfortable and lead to complications like dehydration or return to use. This is why medically supervised withdrawal is strongly recommended.

What Treatment Options Work for Fentanyl Addiction?

Effective treatment for fentanyl addiction includes a combination of medication and behavioral therapies. This comprehensive approach, known as Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT), has been shown to be more effective than either component alone.

Treatment options include:

1. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medications for opioid use disorder are safe, effective, and save lives. These medicines interact with the same opioid receptors in the brain that fentanyl acts on, but they do not produce the same effects.

Three FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorder are:

• Methadone: A full opioid agonist that attaches to and activates opioid receptors to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Buprenorphine (often as Suboxone): A partial opioid agonist that attaches to and partially activates opioid receptors to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone dispensed as a sublingual film or tablet.
• Naltrexone: An opioid antagonist that prevents fentanyl from attaching to opioid receptors, blocking its effects.

2. Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies for addiction to opioids like fentanyl can help people modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use, increase healthy life skills, and help them stick with their medication. Some effective approaches include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps modify expectations and behaviors around drug use, and effectively manage triggers and stress
• Contingency management, which uses a voucher-based system giving rewards based on negative drug tests
• Motivational interviewing, a patient-centered counseling style that addresses mixed feelings about change

3. Supportive Services

Additional services that support recovery include:

• Peer support groups
• Family therapy
• Housing assistance
• Employment services
• Educational support
• Case management

How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Help with Fentanyl Recovery?

Medical treatment with medications like buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), methadone, or naltrexone (Vivitrol) is highly effective first-line treatment that reduces opioid withdrawal, cravings, and overdose risk. Of these options, buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) can be provided through an online relationship with a medical provider.

Research shows that with MAT, 75% of patients will still be in recovery one year later. Conversely, studies demonstrate that within one month of stopping buprenorphine treatment, more than 50% of patients relapse to illicit opioid use.

Suboxone therapy is best when used as part of a complete opioid use disorder treatment program that includes psychosocial support, such as behavioral therapies and peer support groups. Treatment can be received in a variety of settings, including through online addiction counseling providers.

Benefits of MAT include:

• Reduced risk of overdose death
• Decreased opioid cravings
• Minimized withdrawal symptoms
• Improved ability to function in daily life
• Reduced risk of infectious disease transmission
• Better treatment retention
• Improved birth outcomes for pregnant women

Is Telehealth an Effective Option for Fentanyl Addiction Treatment?

Telehealth allows patients to track their symptoms and how they're feeling throughout each day, with that information then instantly sent to their treatment providers, allowing clinicians to provide the highest level of support to patients in-the-moment.

Online Suboxone doctors offer an easier, more convenient, and more discreet way to get the care you need for opioid use disorder. Here are just some of the benefits of online Suboxone clinics:

1. Quick Treatment: You could wait for weeks or even months to get an in-person appointment at a clinic. With telehealth services, you can meet with a medical provider incredibly quickly. You'll sync on a phone or video call via a mobile app.
2. Convenience: You have easy access to your medical providers with virtual services. If you meet in person, you lose a lot of time in transit to and from clinic visits. You also spent a lot of time in waiting rooms with in-person appointments. This doesn't happen with virtual services.
3. Privacy: When you opt for Suboxone treatment via online clinics, you enjoy an added level of privacy and confidentiality. You don't have to worry about people seeing you traveling to or from treatment or in the waiting room. You simply log on at home.
4. Top Doctors: Some of the nation's top doctors offer treatment via online telehealth services. The virtual aspect of care allows them greater reach in treating patients from all over.
5. Flexibility: You have a greater ability to customize your treatment schedule when you opt for virtual Suboxone treatment. Since you can more easily fit appointments into your schedule with virtual services, you're more likely to stick with treatment.
6. Lower Cost: In-person Suboxone clinics have a lot of overhead to cover. Since this isn't the case with telehealth services, treatment prices are often significantly lower.
7. Insurance Coverage: With in-person treatment, you have to worry about finding an in-network provider that accepts your health insurance. But online Suboxone doctors accept most insurance providers, including private insurance companies like Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Medicaid and Medicare. This ensures that you get the help you need in a quick, affordable and timely manner.
8. Robust Support: You can participate in online support groups from the comfort of your own home. When your support network is easy to access, you're more likely to use it, and this will increase your chances of sustained recovery.

Get Help for Fentanyl Addiction Today

Recovery from fentanyl addiction is possible with proper treatment and support. If you or someone you care about is struggling with fentanyl use, reaching out for help is the first step toward healing.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combined with counseling offers the best chance for successful recovery. Online treatment options make it easier than ever to access high-quality care from the privacy and comfort of home.

Don't let fears about withdrawal or stigma prevent you from seeking the help you need. Treatment professionals understand that addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing, and are ready to provide compassionate, effective care.

Take the first step toward recovery by speaking with a healthcare provider about treatment options. Many telehealth providers offer same-day appointments, accept insurance, and can start you on a personalized treatment plan quickly.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

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