Fentanyl Addiction Guide

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid painkiller, which helps pain in cancer patients as well as in people with severe pain who have become dependent on other opioids. The strength of fentanyl can be compared to 50–100 times the potency of morphine. It is often administered via pill, injection, skin patch, or lozenge. Because of its potency and addictive qualities fentanyl is incredibly dangerous when misused. 

If you or a loved one could benefit from 12 Steps to Recovery, contact Myrtle Beach Recovery to learn about our comfortable residential setting.

Understanding Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl is created in a lab by chemists to resemble the opium poppies’ chemical makeup. However, chemists have chemically altered it to make it stronger than poppies or a variety of other opioid painkillers. The substance works by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain when it is taken, which helps to relieve pain. However, adverse effects can include nausea, drowsiness, disorientation, constipation, and extremely slow to nonexistent respiration in addition to blocking pain feelings. It is very easy to overdose on the substance due to its effects on breathing which is terrifying for loved ones of those addicted to the substance. 

Fentanyl, in its legal form, can be a tablet, spray, patch, injection or lollipop. But it is frequently concealed in combinations with other narcotics like heroin or cocaine when taken illegally. It resembles a powder or pill in its most basic state.

Fentanyl Abuse 

Given that it was once only available by prescription, you might assume that people with chronic pain take it the most frequently. Even though some chronic patients take fentanyl, they do not make up the majority of users. The majority of fentanyl users are white men between the ages of 25 and 40.

Unfortunately, despite this statistic, overdose deaths increased in the Black community between 2013 and 2019, eventually overtaking Whites. Black overdose deaths increased by 45% more in 2020, twice as quickly as White overdose deaths. This could be due to inaccessibility to medications needed to manage chronic health conditions.

Fentanyl Abuse Symptoms

Dependence can be the first sign of a substance use disorder, and addiction can follow. Typically, behavioral changes are linked to the most typical symptoms of an opioid use problem. Fentanyl side effects include elation, sleepiness, or nausea. If someone has fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, they will struggle to fall asleep, eat, and control their bodily pain. Additionally, obsessive and erratic behaviors are also signs.

Fentanyl Abuse Statistics

  • In 2020, the number of opioid overdose deaths increased by 38.1%.
  • Synthetic opioid overdose deaths, especially those caused by fentanyl produced illegally, increased by 55.6 percent in 2020 and seem to be the main cause of the rise in overall drug overdose deaths. 
  • 2% of tablets that were fentanyl-tested had at least 2 mg of the drug, which is regarded as a potentially fatal dose.
  • Fentanyl is often distributed by drug trafficking organizations by the kilogram.  

Fentanyl Withdrawal 

The unpleasantness of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can make people reluctant to seek therapy. These signs include:

  • Cold sweats
  • Aches in bones and muscles
  • Vomiting
  • Strong urges
  • Disturbed slumber
  • Leg tremors
  • Diarrhea

Get Help Today with Myrtle Beach Recovery 

If you or a loved one are struggling with fentanyl addiction, let Myrtle Beach Recovery help you with our 12-step immersion program. Our experienced staff will help you work through the steps to help you regain control of your life.Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you on your journey to sobriety.

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