Addiction to opioids such as fentanyl can happen to any of us. These prescription pain medications carry a high risk for addiction. However, they are also required to help you manage severe or chronic pain that can interfere with your quality of life. There is a delicate balance that one must maintain to avoid addiction. If you are struggling with fentanyl addiction or dependence, you can get the help you need from an opioid detox program.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we can help you break free from fentanyl addiction. Our evidence-based approach relies on methods that have can help you get clean and stay clean for the long term. When you start noticing undesirable fentanyl side effects, give us a call at 866.516.8356 to find out our opioid detox program can help.
What Is Fentanyl and What Is It Used For Legally?
Fentanyl is an opioid similar to morphine but significantly more powerful, making it fairly risky to use. You may wonder why doctors would prescribe if it holds this risk. However, as is the case with many prescription medications, it serves a purpose when patients use it according to the doctor’s instructions. Some reasons a doctor may prescribe fentanyl include:
- Helping to manage post-surgery pain: Pain that follows surgery can be rather intense for some, so fentanyl can help keep you comfortable as you recover.
- Helping to manage severe chronic pain that does not respond to other medications: Some health conditions that involve chronic pain, such as cancer, may not respond adequately to other pain medications. To help you maintain a reasonable comfort level, your doctor may prescribe fentanyl when other medications are not providing relief.
- Helping to manage pain when a person has developed a tolerance to other medications: When a person becomes dependent on pain medication, they may develop a tolerance to it. This means they will need higher doses of the medication to achieve the same effects. If you are using pain medication long enough to develop a tolerance to it, your doctor may switch you to fentanyl since it is stronger.
Of course, some people do get addicted to fentanyl for other reasons, such as recreational use or using another person’s prescription to manage pain without the guidance of a medical professional. Regardless of why you are taking the drug, it is essential to get help for fentanyl addiction or dependence.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Fentanyl?
While fentanyl can help relieve pain that may otherwise make it difficult to enjoy your life, it can cause various side effects and a risk of dependence, addiction, and overdose. The following are common side effects of fentanyl use:
- Anxiety
- Chest pain
- Constipation
- Depression
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Nausea
- Redness in the face, neck, and chest
- Stomach pain
If you have been taking prescription fentanyl and are experiencing the above symptoms, you should speak to your doctor. These fentanyl side effects may seem minor, but they could indicate that you are developing a dependence.
What Are the Signs of Fentanyl Overdose?
Some of the more severe side effects of fentanyl may be signs of fentanyl overdose and may require emergency treatment. If you are experiencing any of the following, you should reach out to a medical professional immediately:
- Blue lips or fingernails
- Coma
- Constricted pupils
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slow heart rate
If you’ve recently overdosed on fentanyl, we invite you to investigate our detox program. This program can provide hope for the future, allowing you to live without this potentially deadly substance.
Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston Today
When you are struggling with fentanyl addiction, you can count on the science-backed opioid detox programs at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston to help you get clean. We provide a comfortable, caring environment, along with medication-assisted treatment and counseling to help you achieve the lasting recovery you deserve. Call us today at 866.516.8356 to leave fentanyl addiction behind.
