Understanding Fentanyl Addiction and Treatment
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By:
Valerie Puffenberger, PMHNP-BC -
Editor:
Phyllis Rodriguez, PMHNP-BC
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Clinical Reviewer:
Dr. Ash Bhatt, MD, MRO
By:
Editor:
Clinical Reviewer:
Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs in the world. Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die because of fentanyl overdose, and the epidemic gets worse every year.
Luckily, you or your loved one does not have to be a statistic. There are thousands of fentanyl addiction treatment programs throughout the country that are dedicated to saving lives.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic (man-made) opioid drug. It was originally developed as a painkiller and is particularly effective in treating the extreme pain terminal cancer patients experience. Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful drug. In fact, fentanyl is approximately 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.
Because of its chemical structure, fentanyl affects the brain by resembling the natural opioids produced in the body. It is so similar that it can bond to the body’s opioid receptors and physically block the transmission of pain signals. This creates a number of side effects, including a feeling of euphoria.
This euphoria is sought after by many who misuse fentanyl recreationally. It is also one of many reasons why so many drugs are cut (mixed) with fentanyl. Tragically, fentanyl abuse is increasingly common.
Fentanyl use has become more prevalent over the last three years, says psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Valerie Puffenberger. “Fentanyl is much cheaper, and users ‘like the high better’ than other opioids,” says Puffenberger.
What Is Fentanyl Addiction?
A fentanyl use disorder, more commonly known as a fentanyl addiction, is a disease defined by a physical and psychological dependence on fentanyl.
When someone uses fentanyl repeatedly, even under the guidance of a prescription, their body becomes accustomed to the drug’s presence. For example, the body often stops producing its own natural opioids because it no longer needs to. When that person then reduces their fentanyl consumption or eliminates it entirely, they experience a collection of unpleasant symptoms known as fentanyl withdrawal.
Withdrawal is a side effect of the body returning to “normal” functioning. One of the symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal is cravings for the drug, which drive future use and can make it more difficult to treat the addiction.
“Higher doses of medications are needed to control the withdrawal symptoms. Also, the high potency of fentanyl requires more naloxone to counteract an overdose,” says Puffenberger.
To be diagnosed with a fentanyl use disorder, an individual must not only be dependent on the drug but exhibit behaviors with negative consequences as a result of fentanyl use.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) lists 11 criteria to diagnose fentanyl addiction. An individual must exhibit at least three of the below criteria to receive a diagnosis. The more criteria present, the more severe the addiction:
- Taking larger amounts of fentanyl or taking fentanyl for a longer period of time than intended
- A desire to stop using fentanyl or reduce use but without success, possibly including failed attempts
- Spending large amounts of time acquiring, using, or recovering from using fentanyl
- Fentanyl cravings or urges to use fentanyl
- Failure to meet obligations at home, work, or school as a result of fentanyl use
- Continuing to use fentanyl after it has damaged relationships
- No longer participating in personal, professional, or recreational activities as a result of fentanyl use
- Repeatedly using fentanyl in situations where it is dangerous to do so
- Continuing to use fentanyl even after you are aware that it is causing or worsening problems in your life
- Needing more fentanyl to achieve the same effects (tolerance)
- The appearance of withdrawal symptoms after reducing or ceasing use (dependence)
Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl addiction can often be hard to spot. Most fentanyl users go to great lengths to conceal their substance use disorder, especially from their friends and family. However, there are a number of signs and symptoms to look out for.
Common symptoms of fentanyl misuse include:
- Constant tiredness
- Difficulty speaking
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Loss of coordination
- Muscle aches and pain
- Nausea
- Profuse sweating
- Small, “pinpoint” pupils
- Swollen hands and feet
- Vomiting
Common signs of fentanyl addiction include:
- Changing activities
- Changing behaviors
- Changing friend groups
- Fentanyl paraphernalia, like needles
- Increased secrecy
- Obsessing over fentanyl
- Money problems
- Mood swings
- Track marks on veins
- Worsening personal, familial, professional, or scholastic difficulties
Long-Term Effects of Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl addiction often progresses more rapidly than addiction to other substances. This is because fentanyl is both very addictive and very powerful. If left untreated, fentanyl addiction can cause many serious long-term effects. Some of the most common and severe include:
- Death
- Decreased mental stability
- Depression
- Fewer friendships and/or romantic relationships
- Financial problems, such as bankruptcy or home loss
- Isolation and loneliness
- Legal issues, including incarceration and fines
- Lowered quality of life
- Organ damage, including to respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems
- Overdose
- Professional problems, such as demotion or job loss
- Relationship issues, such as estrangement or divorce
- Worsening co-occurring mental disorders and addictions
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Options
Although fentanyl use disorders can be very serious and are often very hard to break, there is hope. Thousands of people achieve lasting sobriety from fentanyl. The most proven and successful way to do so is to get help from a fentanyl rehab program.
There are many fentanyl addiction treatment programs across the country, each different. This variety means that there is likely a program out there that will be the right fit for each patient. It also makes it hard to generalize about them. However, there are some commonalities that many programs share.
Inpatient Fentanyl Rehab
Inpatient fentanyl rehab requires patients to live at the rehab facility where they receive treatment. Inpatient fentanyl rehab eliminates distractions and triggers and allows patients to fully focus on their recovery. Inpatient treatment is typically more expensive than outpatient options, but it provides the highest likelihood of lasting recovery.
Outpatient Fentanyl Rehab
Outpatient fentanyl rehab requires patients to attend treatment for several hours a day, several days a week, while residing elsewhere. Outpatient rehab allows patients to maintain personal, professional, and familial responsibilities while receiving treatment. Outpatient rehab is less expensive than inpatient treatment, but it generally decreases the likelihood of achieving lasting sobriety.
Therapies Used in the Treatment of Fentanyl Addiction
Many therapies are used to treat fentanyl addiction. Available therapies will vary from facility to facility and program to program. Some of the most common include:
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Art therapy
- Biofeedback therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Couples therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- Equine therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Meditation and yoga
- Music therapy
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) therapy
- Neurofeedback therapy
Medications Used to Treat Fentanyl Addiction
A number of medications treat fentanyl addiction. While most of these medications are used during medically supervised detox to ensure that patients remain safe and comfortable while going through withdrawal, some are for other purposes, such as reversing a fentanyl overdose.
Some of the most commonly used medications to treat fentanyl addiction include:
- Clonidine: Reduces withdrawal symptoms
- Methadone: Reduces withdrawal symptoms such as cravings
- Naloxone (Narcan): Reverses opioid overdoses
- Naltrexone: Blocks the feelings of euphoria caused by opioids
- Over-the-counter medications: Reduces withdrawal symptoms
- Prescription medications: Reduces withdrawal symptoms
- Suboxone: Both reverses opioid overdoses and prevents withdrawal symptoms
Length of Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
How long fentanyl addiction treatment will take depends on several factors, including the severity of the addiction, the financial resources of the addiction sufferer, and their ability to remove themselves from daily responsibilities.
Because the length of fentanyl addiction treatment can vary so widely, it is easier to divide treatment into stages.
Detox
Medically supervised detox is designed to get patients through withdrawal symptoms safely and comfortably. Fentanyl detox typically lasts for between two and 14 days, although some withdrawal symptoms can last for up to two years (post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS).
Inpatient Rehab
While inpatient programs can last any number of days, the most common programs are 28-day, 30-day, and 90-day programs.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient programs are more variable in length than inpatient programs, which they often follow. Most outpatient programs generally last between one and three months.
Aftercare
Most aftercare programs are designed to help patients maintain long-term sobriety. While each program is different, many last indefinitely, even for the rest of the patient’s life. This is important because recovery from fentanyl is a lifelong process, and support is always beneficial.
Preventing Relapse after Fentanyl Addiction
One of the primary concerns for anyone who has overcome a fentanyl addiction is how to avoid relapse. This makes sense because even a small slip-up can undo years of dedication and work.
There are countless strategies available to help former patients prevent relapse after fentanyl addiction. In fact, there are far too many to list in any one place. Here are some of the most common and successful.
- Joining and attending a support group: Organizations like Narcotics Anonymous provide members with support and community as they maintain their sobriety.
- Following aftercare planning: Most rehab programs help their patients with aftercare planning so that they have a guide to follow when they return to the outside world.
- Continuing to attend therapy: Both individual and group therapy are extremely helpful in tackling the issues underlying addiction, combating triggers, and helping patients avoid fentanyl relapse.
- Know and appropriately handle triggers: It is important that patients know what their triggers are so that they can avoid them or cope with them in a healthy manner.
- Understanding the root causes of addiction and treat them: Whether the underlying reason behind addiction is loneliness or a co-occurring disorder, proper treatment can help prevent relapse.
- Get help: If you or someone you love might be on the verge of fentanyl relapse, get help immediately. It is always better to get help before relapse occurs rather than after.
Get Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction
If you or someone you love is suffering from a fentanyl addiction, the time to get help is now. Every time you use fentanyl, you roll the dice with your life. Luckily, Legacy Healing Center is here to help.
Legacy is committed to a holistic approach to fentanyl addiction treatment. We improve the mental, physical, and spiritual health of our patients by providing clinical therapy, proper medication management, aftercare, and integration of life factors.
Call 888-534-2295 to discuss your fentanyl addiction treatment options with the staff of Legacy Healing.
Fentanyl Addiction FAQs
How is fentanyl addiction treated?
Fentanyl addiction is treated in a variety of ways. However, most treatment processes will follow some general steps:
- Medically supervised detox helps patients get safely and comfortably through withdrawal. A variety of medications and some therapies are used at this point.
- Inpatient and/or outpatient rehab, in which a wide variety of therapies and medications may be used. Other important elements of rehab include aftercare planning and life skills training.
- After rehab ends, fentanyl addiction is treated with ongoing therapy, medications, and support groups to help maintain sobriety.
How long does fentanyl addiction treatment take?
How long fentanyl addiction treatment takes will vary tremendously from patient to patient. Detox typically lasts between two and 14 days. Inpatient programs typically last between 28 and 90 days. Outpatient programs typically last between one and three months. Aftercare programs are typically indefinite and sometimes last a lifetime.
Sources
- National Library of Medicine. (2015, September 3). Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery.
- New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. (no date). Substance Use Disorder Warning Signs.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June). Fentanyl Drug Facts
