Use this helpful guide to find out all you need to know about Fentanyl addiction.
1. What is Fentanyl and what causes Fentanyl addiction?
2. What are the common street names for Fentanyl?
3. What are the common Fentanyl side effects?
4. What are the commercial names for Fentanyl?
5. How to treat Fentanyl addiction?
6. What are the rehab options available for Fentanyl addiction?
7. How to find the best Fentanyl rehab near you?
8. Conclusion
Doctors recommend everyone to eat healthy and work out often. Do you know why? This is because our body needs to stay healthy and active to carry out its day-to-day tasks.
When we get sick, our doctors recommend we take medicine for it. But, using medicine frequently can stop our natural immune system from functioning correctly. When we take a pain medication frequently, the drugs in the medication may create a number of side effects that go unnoticed since they aren’t very prominent. Hence, we might ignore the minor side effects and go on taking more and more of these prescription drugs. A recent survey found that the number of people suffering from prescription drug abuse is increasing at an alarming rate. This should make us reconsider whether we really should take these prescription drugs, and for how long.
About 38% of the total population in America has faced a drug use disorder at least once in their life. Addiction can sometimes lead to intense craving for drugs and/or alcohol. Addictive substances induce a pleasurable feeling in the brain, while blocking other drives like motivation and memory. Drugs are often used as a source of escape for stressful situations in life. When someone suffers from anxiety or depression, they may take drugs, thinking it will alter their mood and make them feel better. Although drugs may make you feel better for a while, they can cause a lot of physical and psychological problems later on.
When someone becomes dependent on drugs, they usually start experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they don’t take them on time. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable physical and mental reactions which occur when the body cannot get the drug it craves. To avoid this discomfort, addicts have to constantly seek out their drug of addiction and this cycle can go on for a long time.
Addiction often leads people to isolation. When someone struggles with addiction, they tend to avoid their family and friends. Addiction may also cause poor immunity, memory changes, and frequent mood swings. Some medications can also lead to addiction. Many painkillers that contain drugs to give instant relief from pain, can cause addiction if used for a long time. An overdose of these medications can prove to be fatal.
What is Fentanyl and what causes Fentanyl addiction?
Fentanyl is given to patients suffering from breakthrough pain such as the pain caused by cancer. Breakthrough pain occurs even when someone is on round-the-clock treatment for pain. Fentanyl should not be taken more than 4 times a day. Fentanyl is available in several forms, such as a lozenge (Actiq), sublingual (under the tongue) tablet (Abstral), a film (Onsolis), and between the gum and cheek tablet (Fentora). Your doctor will usually start the medication with a mild dose and then gradually increase it if the pain persists.
Being a synthetic opioid, Fentanyl is highly addictive and can cause an overdose if not taken carefully. Fentanyl is sold illegally in powder form or as eye and nasal drops. People with Fentanyl addiction often mix it with heroin or cocaine for heightened pleasure. Avoid splitting, chewing, or crushing the Fentanyl tablets. If you feel any discomfort, please seek medical help immediately. A fentanyl overdose can cause hypoxia, a condition where an adequate amount of oxygen fails to reach the brain, causing coma or death.
What are the common street names for Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is available illegally. It is sold under various street/slang names, such as:
- Apache
- China girl
- China White
- Dance Fever
- Friend
- Goodfella
- Jackpot
- Murder 8
- TNT
- Tango
- Cash
- Percopop
- Shine
- Serial Killer
- Drop Dead
What are the common Fentanyl side effects?
The side effects of Fentanyl can vary from person to person. However, these common symptoms mentioned below are the most widely reported:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Slowed breathing
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Itching
- Euphoria
- Weakness
- Dry mouth
- Decreased heart rate
- Muscle stiffness
- Lack of concentration
What are the commercial names for Fentanyl?
- Sublimaze
- Durogesic
- Duragesic
- Fentanyl citrate
- Lazanda
- Nasalfent
- Subsys
- Actiq
How to treat Fentanyl addiction?
Fentanyl addiction can be treated in rehab or through professional counseling. The 12-step based process is often an effective method for overcoming addiction. This method is effective if your addiction level is low to moderate. However, for serious addiction issues, you may want to sign up for a rehab treatment as soon as you realize that you need help. Rehab can help you confront addiction safely and effectively without doing further harm to your health. Rehabs use modern medicines and methods to help you control drug cravings. Rehab treatment can be divided into three main parts: Detox, Therapy Sessions, and Aftercare.
The detox session is the first step to control the addiction. Many, but not all people who opts for addiction treatment have to undergo detox first. Detox helps to remove all the traces of drugs from the body and prepare you to undergo further treatment. During detox, your dependency on drugs will be reduced by lowering the dosage, gradually; hence, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. But, you’ll be under observation all the time and will be assisted by medical professionals when such situations occur.
At the rehab center you can also have access to a balanced diet while getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, all of which helps reduce the pain and discomfort of detox. If you want a painless detox, you can opt for Rapid detox that takes much less time per session compared to conventional detox. Rapid detox uses medication to suppress the effect of the drug and to remove it from the system. During the session, patients are sedated so that they experience miminal discomfort.
After the detox sessions are over, you usually have to undergo a few tests, after which you’ll be provided with a customized rehab program. Rehab programs combine individual and group counseling, various therapies, meditation, and other treatments which help patients overcome their addiction. The rehab program can last for a few weeks to a few months, depending on the condition of the patient.
The final step of the rehab program is aftercare. Aftercare sessions are conducted to help avoid relapse in patients who have just completed their rehab program. Aftercare combines various activities, including therapy and gives guidance on how to control sudden cravings after overcoming addiction.
What are the rehab options available for Fentanyl addiction?
You can choose from two main types of rehab facilities, inpatient and outpatient, for your rehab treatment. You can consult with your doctor and ask them to recommend the best kind of rehab program for you.
Inpatient rehab comes with a boarding facility for patients, where they can stay and get treated for their addiction issues. Inpatient rehab is often big enough to accommodate and handle large groups of people. The number of doctors and medical staff associated with inpatient rehab is also generally high. Inpatient rehab is usually recommended to people who have severe addiction issues and need round-the-clock care.
Outpatient treatment can be a good choice for people who do not want to disrupt their daily lives while they go through treatment. Some outpatient treatment participants are new mothers, people with jobs, and students. Outpatient treatment doesn’t require people to stay in their facility and get their treatment. People can come just for their appointments and therapy or counseling sessions.
If you have the financial means, then you can also opt for luxury rehab. These rehabs allow people to undergo their addiction treatment in a private and luxurious location. You’ll find spas, coffee shops, salons, and swimming pools in luxury rehabs.
How to find the best Fentanyl rehab near you?
Finding a proper rehab can take you some time and effort. You should not hurry while choosing a rehab for you. If your rehab facility is good, your recovery may also be more effective and more worth the money spent. You can shortlist some rehabs and then try to select one based on the following factors.
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Location
Find a rehab that’s well connected to different parts of the city and has enough parking space so that your friends and family can drop by sometimes and spend time with you. You might want to ensure that the rehab is not located in a crowded or polluted area, but rather one situated in a peaceful and serene location.
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Facilities
Ensure that the rehab facility you choose has all the equipment and facilities required for your rehab treatment. Check if they use the latest methodologies and techniques to treat addiction patients.
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Services
Find a rehab that offers quality service and gives proper attention and care to its patients. See if they offer adequate aftercare sessions once the rehab treatment is over.
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Affordability
It is usually better to find a rehab whose expenses can be covered under your medical insurance. This will help you to afford the treatment without falling into debt.
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Reputation
You can check the ratings and reviews of a rehab facility to educate yourself on their quality of services.
Conclusion
Addiction is a life-threatening issue that can be treated if proper measures are taken at the right time. Rehab treatment can prove very beneficial, especially if it is provided at an early stage of addiction. When you delay treatment, the addictive substances have that much more time to reak havoc on your body and your life.
Mental illness is often closely related to the addiction. Mental illness can make a person suicidal or depressed. When a person experiences addiction and mental health issues together, it is known as dual diagnosis. These patients need extra care and guidance and should generally be kept under observation.
Due to the negative image that society places on addicts, many are afraid to come forward and get help. When members of society are tolerant and try to understand the concerns, they are often more able to speak of their challenges openly and ask for support. Friends and family of addicts can often help by being very kind and gentle towards them and giving full support when they decide to go to rehab.
The biggest downside of issues like addiction is educating people about its harmful effects. A lack of proper knowledge is partially responsible for the increasing rate of addiction among youths. They sometimes take drugs and alcohol for recreation or due to peer pressure, and then get addicted. Talking with children about the effects of drugs and alcohol can sometimes prevent them from trying these substances later on. Keeping prescription drugs out of their reach is a great way to reduce their access to these harmful drugs.
