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You’ve probably heard this everywhere lately, but fentanyl is still at the center of America’s opioid epidemic. 3 million people are struggling with opioid addiction nationwide. 9% of all teens and adults in Oregon are battling drug use every day. Fentanyl is responsible for over half of all overdose deaths, and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Why is it still around if it’s hurting so many people? What is it used for? At Serenity Lane, we want everyone to know about this medication so they can steer clear and keep themselves safe.
Like all opioids, fentanyl works to bring pain relief to those who need it most. Over-the-counter pain medication doesn’t always work, especially after surgery or during cancer treatments. Physicians will prescribe fentanyl to patients who are in extreme pain, but usually only for 3 days at a time. For many, fentanyl can relieve pain while accelerating their healing process. Unfortunately, fentanyl is also illicitly manufactured and taken outside of a doctor’s care. This is usually where addiction and substance use disorders thrive – in the illegal market.
Fentanyl is only prescribed in cases of severe pain. Doctors are very cautious about prescribing it because it does come with a risk. Usually, when this is prescribed, it will only be handed out by a pharmacy in a three-day supply. Any more than that, and the brain starts to form a dependence on it.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which means it’s made in a lab. It’s incredibly powerful – 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 more potent than morphine. There are two kinds of fentanyl: pharmaceutical and illicitly manufactured. If you have back surgery and your doctor prescribes fentanyl, that’s pharmaceutical. If you’re buying it online or through street dealers, it’s likely either stolen or illicitly manufactured.
In America, fentanyl overdoses are a big deal right now. They’re the leading cause of death in adults ages 18-45. The Coronavirus, suicides, and even car accidents are a step behind fentanyl.
Just like other opioids in its class, fentanyl produces a noticeable “high”. When someone takes it, they feel euphoric, relaxed, sleepy, and more. Because of its ability to create this feeling of “well-being”, it’s particularly attractive to those who struggle with mood disorders like anxiety or depression. When a mood disorder goes untreated, it can make someone feel hopeless, alone, or stuck. Fentanyl gives the illusion that all of those problems are gone and nothing exists aside from the high. Doctors will only prescribe fentanyl in cases of severe physical pain, so a lot of the time, people who use it for the “high” will buy it on the streets through a dealer.
Another reason people use fentanyl illegally isn’t talked about as much. People who live with severe chronic pain may feel they need fentanyl long-term. When their doctor only prescribes it for days or weeks at a time, they may seek other ways of getting it.
Unfortunately, taking fentanyl for a prolonged period can create addiction or dependence. The effects of fentanyl will wear off and people will find themselves taking larger and larger doses to achieve the same effects. This is called building up tolerance, and it can become dangerous. Because of fentanyl’s potency, those who take larger doses are at risk for an overdose, which can be fatal if it isn’t reversed in time. Those who find themselves addicted to fentanyl will continue to buy it illegally to avoid the nasty side effects of fentanyl withdrawals.
Fentanyl can be given to a patient in a patch or lozenge form, and sometimes it will be given as a shot. When it’s illegally manufactured, dealers will sell it as a powder or they’ll make it into pills so it looks like other prescription opioids. Some even put it in eye droppers or nasal sprays.
Because of its potency, dealers can get away with using a minimal amount to create a “high”. They’ll often mix fentanyl into heroin, cocaine, or meth to save money. People might think they’re taking cocaine when they’re actually taking cocaine laced with fentanyl. This can become dangerous because of how easy it is to overdose on fentanyl.
Also, because fentanyl is so difficult to measure, dealers have a difficult time knowing just how much fentanyl to mix or sell. Someone may think they’re taking a small dose when they’re taking a large dose.
These days, buying any kind of drug on the street or online is a risky affair because of how often fentanyl is being slipped into other drugs. Fentanyl test strips now make it easier for people to test whether or not the drug they’re buying is laced with fentanyl, but it’s not a magic answer to all of the associated risks.
One of the largest risks associated with fentanyl use is the risk of addiction. All opioids bind the brain’s opioid receptors, targeting the reward system and flooding the body with dopamine. Studies show that a psychological addiction can take hold of someone within 3 days of taking fentanyl.
Aside from addiction, some of the short-term effects of fentanyl include:
The long-term effects of fentanyl consist of:
When someone suddenly stops taking fentanyl or drastically reduces their dose, the brain goes through a period of withdrawal. It’s used to getting all of that extra dopamine, and when it doesn’t get it anymore, it goes through dopamine deficiency. As scary as that sounds, withdrawals can be managed through treatment.
Anyone can recover from a substance use disorder – even when they’re using something as strong as fentanyl. All it takes is an expert medical staff and some real work on your traumas and coping mechanisms. It might feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of fentanyl use, but that cycle can be broken if you’re open to it.
Here are some of the addiction treatment options we offer at Serenity Lane:
Level I outpatient treatment: Level I care provides group counseling sessions weekly. Patients meet for 1.5-hour weekly sessions to learn to identify and manage stressful life events and to cope with the inevitable ups and downs of early recovery. It is provided in a community close to the patient’s hometown.
Level II intensive outpatient treatment: Level II Intensive Outpatient Programming, is a rigorous and comprehensive ten-week program comprised of group therapy, individual counseling, and education about substance use disorders. Treatment groups meet for three hours, three times per week at one of Serenity Lane’s outpatient clinics.
Long-term residential treatment: This may be the best option for someone suffering from severe addiction or chronic relapse. It may also be the ideal treatment option for complex cases of addiction and patients who work in a safety occupation.
Medically-supported drug detox: Fentanyl detox is often the first step of care within our full continuum of drug addiction or alcohol abuse care services. Our team of medical professionals uses a standardized protocol that is designed to create long-term recovery from dependence on fentanyl. They are prepared and qualified to handle all aspects of detox, including fentanyl withdrawal symptoms and mental health issues.
Medication-assisted treatment: Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of certain medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a unique approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Some of the drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), known as FDA-approved medications, are naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone.
Virtual addiction treatment: Serenity Lane’s virtual addiction treatment services provide the same exceptional Intensive Outpatient and level I outpatient programming via the Zoom conferencing platform. This will include group sessions and meetings with counselors.
At Serenity Lane, we love seeing our patients step into recovery with a newfound sense of strength and purpose. If you or someone you love is interested in fentanyl addiction treatment, call us today at 800-543-9905!
What is fentanyl used for?
Like all opioids, fentanyl works to bring pain relief to those who need it most. Over-the-counter pain medication doesn’t always work, especially after surgery or during cancer treatments.
How is fentanyl addiction treated?
Addiction treatment is possible for everyone because there are so many options. You can choose outpatient treatment, which means you can still attend to your family or your career. You can choose inpatient or residential treatment, where you’ll be monitored and encouraged while living at a facility. Some people also like our telehealth options, where you can attend meetings and receive your medications online.
What does fentanyl do to the brain and body?
All opioids bind the brain’s opioid receptors, targeting the reward system and flooding the body with dopamine. When someone suddenly stops taking fentanyl or drastically reduces their dose, the brain goes through a period of withdrawal. It’s used to getting all of that extra dopamine, and when it doesn’t get it anymore, it goes through dopamine deficiency. As scary as that sounds, withdrawals can be managed through treatment.
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