Opioids like fentanyl can cause severe damage due to the way they impact the brain. Since this drug is a legally prescribed medication, some people may abuse it through legal use. However, many illegally use it, too. Fentanyl abuse will produce many changes in appearance, behavior, and mood. When you can identify these symptoms of abuse, you can help yourself, or a loved one seek treatment to quit using this or other opioids. For more information about the treatment options available, call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston today at 866.516.8356.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl falls into the opioid class of drugs. Other drugs in this category include legal medications such as morphine and illegal drugs like heroin. Fentanyl, though, is much more potent than morphine. Its intense potency makes even those who use it legally to treat pain more likely to become physically dependent on it, which may lead to addiction and abuse. In some instances, people who use legal prescription drugs will turn to heroin abuse to give them the high they craved.
What Are the Signs of Fentanyl Abuse?
Fentanyl acts on the opioid receptors in the brain to ease pain and bring a feeling of euphoria. However, when abused, the drug causes several symptoms or signs, including:
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Unconsciousness
The drug’s potency can also lead to overdose, which often results in slower breathing and unconsciousness. If you think someone has overdosed on fentanyl or any drug, call 911 immediately. Prompt medical intervention could save a life.
After getting care for an overdose, the person will need to go into treatment, starting with detox to mitigate the effects of withdrawal.
What Happens During Fentanyl Abuse Withdrawal?
When you go to an opioid detox program, the withdrawal process begins shortly after you quit using fentanyl. How soon symptoms appear and their severity depends on how much fentanyl you used, if you also experienced heroin abuse, and how often you used the drugs.
Common side effects of withdrawing from fentanyl abuse include the following:
- Severe and intense cravings
- Muscle pain
- Cold flashes
- Leg pain and movements that you cannot control
- Diarrhea
- Sleep problems
Because the opioid withdrawal effects can be life-threatening, you need medically supervised detox treatment. The facility’s team will watch your symptoms and offer medical intervention if necessary.
Heroin abuse detox will have similar symptoms because both fentanyl and heroin have similar impacts on the brain and body. Consequently, their withdrawal effects will be the same.
Withdrawal symptoms are incredibly uncomfortable. But, you can avoid turning back to using fentanyl to ease the physical effects and cravings when you seek professional detox services. Once you’ve finished detox, your treatment will continue.
Detoxification from fentanyl clears out the drug from your body and gets you past the most severe withdrawal effects and cravings. Finishing this step means that your body and mind are now clear enough to undergo more rigorous therapies of additional treatment. Psychotherapies used for drug abuse often include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. However, some facilities will offer additional options to meet the individual needs of their patients. Going through treatment can make a sober life possible for you.
Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
When you quit using opioids like fentanyl, you will likely need medical supervision and possibly intervention. Therefore, when you feel ready to move toward sobriety, contact us at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston by phone at 866.516.8356 or online at our contact page. We have medical experts on our detox staff who will offer you a comfortable environment that you need to recover from drug abuse. Let us become your partners to begin treatment with detox from opioid abuse. You can succeed in treatment if you work at it and get the help that you need.
