While fentanyl can help individuals effectively manage pain, it’s also highly addictive. Individuals struggling with fentanyl drug abuse know firsthand how crippling the drug can be. Learn the signs of fentanyl abuse and where to find the best help.
Whether you have a legitimate prescription or buy it off the street, fentanyl is a dangerous drug. In fact, it’s up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Between 2014 and 2015, synthetic opioid deaths increased 72%, in large part due to fentanyl’s increasing popularity.
Like other synthetic opioids, fentanyl floods the brain’s pleasure centers with dopamine, which in turn, increases euphoria. This short-term benefit keeps users coming back for more, which can easily cause them to develop a dependence.
One of the overlooked dangers of fentanyl is the fact that sometimes you don’t even know you’re consuming it. To create a stronger effect, some dealers will mix fentanyl with cocaine or heroin. Some will even go as far as selling fake pills that look like other synthetic opioids.
Have you noticed unexplained changes in behavior, sleeping patterns or appearance? Along with other factors, these could all be signs of fentanyl drug abuse. Keep an eye out for:
Weight loss | Nausea | Depression | Visible shaking | Constant fatigue | Track marks | Social withdrawal
While you may want to help your loved one overcome his or her addiction, harsh demands and ultimatums could have adverse consequences. It could cause loved ones to pull further away and into a deeper cycle of addiction. The most effective way to show your support is to reinforce the fact that you care about their well-being. Helping them find an effective fentanyl drug rehab is a great first step.
The best fentanyl drug rehab programs work with individuals to discover the underlying cause of their addiction. They implement behavioral therapy into individual and group counseling to promote lasting change. In many cases, fentanyl drug abuse is made worse by a pre-existing mental health disorder. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses these problems simultaneously to prevent future relapse.
Because there’s no one path to recovery, fentanyl drug rehab programs offer multiple levels of care. Various programs include:
Residential treatment | Partial hospitalization | Intensive outpatient | Sober living and aftercare options
Don’t let fentanyl drug abuse continue to negatively impact you or your loved one’s life. An effective fentanyl drug rehab program can provide the tools needed to experience sustainable sobriety.