Fentanyl is a potent opioid pain reliever used to manage moderate to severe pain in medical settings. While fentanyl use is generally considered safe in a controlled environment, some people use this powerful drug recreationally, which can lead to addiction and severe harm. Some people use designer synthetic fentanyl drugs that closely mimic the original form of the drug.
Some may use fentanyl and its synthetic counterparts instead of heroin or mix them. Fentanyl is around 100 times more potent than morphine and up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Its potency puts users at high risk of overdose and death.
Understanding the risks of fentanyl use and seeking treatment in a Tennessee fentanyl rehab center is essential to people who use this powerful narcotic. Reach out to the specialists at PAX Memphis to learn more about beginning fentanyl rehab in Tennessee or to find support during addiction recovery.
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Effects
Fentanyl is the most potent prescription narcotic painkiller available in a medical setting. The Drug Enforcement Administration classified fentanyl as a Schedule II substance, meaning it has a known medical purpose and a high potential for abuse.
Fentanyl is an opioid narcotic derived from poppy plants. Like other opioids, it binds to receptors in parts of the brain responsible for emotions and pain. Users may experience relaxation, euphoria, and decreased pain. Other side effects of fentanyl include:
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Constricted pupils
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Flushed skin
- Tightness in the throat
- Trouble with concentration
- Slow or shallow breathing
Fentanyl is available in several forms, including:
- Injection
- Patch
- Throat lozenge
- Lollipop
Illicit, synthetic fentanyl is available in powder or pill form, or can be added to eye drops or nasal sprays. Street names for illicit fentanyl include:
- Apache
- China Girl
- Goodfellas
- Great Bear
- Poison
- Tango and Cash
Research shows that fentanyl and other opioids were involved in nearly 3 in 4 drug-related deaths in 2020. That year, 68,630 people in the United States lost their lives because of opioid overdose. In many of these cases, people unknowingly ingested a deadly dose of fentanyl by using adulterated illicit drugs like cocaine, crack, and heroin.
How Does Fentanyl Addiction Develop?
Fentanyl is a potent drug that causes changes in a person’s brain structure and chemistry. These changes can make it difficult to stop using fentanyl without professional treatment and ongoing support.
Several factors affect how fentanyl affects people, including:
- Body size
- Weight and body composition
- General health
- How much of the drug was ingested
- Other drugs used at the same time
- Tolerance to opioids
Over time, fentanyl users may develop tolerance, meaning they must take more to get the same effects. After a period of heavy or regular fentanyl use, some people may be unable to experience pleasure from anything other than the drug.
People who take fentanyl under medical supervision are less likely to develop tolerance than those who take it recreationally. Still, anyone using fentanyl must be aware of the signs of dependence and seek treatment to safely stop using the drug as soon as possible.
Risks of Fentanyl Use
All opiate drugs carry a risk of misuse, tolerance, and addiction. People who use fentanyl develop tolerance very quickly, meaning they need to take higher and higher doses over time to get the desired effects.
People who regularly use fentanyl and then stop will likely experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills with goosebumps
- Hot flashes
- Runny nose
- Body aches
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Insomnia
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms begin to develop within 12 hours of a person’s last dose of fentanyl and can last for a week or more. Many people find withdrawal so uncomfortable that they begin to use the drug again to get relief. People can get caught in a dangerous, frustrating cycle of abstinence, withdrawal, and relapse that is nearly impossible to escape without professional treatment.
Seeking Treatment in a Tennessee Fentanyl Rehab
People who develop a dependence on fentanyl often require medically-supervised detox and rehab to safely stop using the drug and avoid relapse for life. Before beginning fentanyl rehab in Tennessee, people with fentanyl addiction will undergo an assessment that allows their treatment team to develop an effective treatment plan.
Comprehensive fentanyl addiction treatment involves identifying and treating the roots of a person’s addiction and giving them the skills to avoid relapse for the rest of their life. Treatment plans generally include:
- Medications like buprenorphine and methadone to ease withdrawal symptoms and manage cravings
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Relapse prevention education
- Aftercare planning
- Holistic therapies like nutrition support, exercise, and mindfulness
Fentanyl addiction is often complex and may require time and patience to overcome. Seeking treatment in a Tennessee Fentanyl rehab and finding ongoing support is essential to moving forward into a healthier, more fulfilling future.
Find Help Now
If you or a loved one needs the support of a Fentanyl rehab in Tennessee, reach out to the team at PAX Memphis to explore our treatment programs. Don’t wait another day for the care, treatment, and support you deserve. Take the first step of your recovery journey today. Call our admission staff to get started.