Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used for treating severe pain, typically prescribed to advanced cancer patients. It is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. Like other addictive prescription drugs that are legitimately prescribed, it can easily become abused. It is sometimes used to cut heroin and cocaine, without the user’s knowledge, making those substances more volatile. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous, and in the current opioid overdose epidemic fentanyl is responsible for over half of those deaths.
Fentanyl
COUNTRY IN CRISIS
According to the CDC, synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States. In the past year alone:
- Overdose deaths involving opioids rose 38%
- Overdose deaths involving fentanyl rose 56% percent and appear to be the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths.
THE SYMPTOMS
Some of the symptoms of fentanyl use can be:
- rapid heartbeat
- pounding in the ears
- chest tightness
- mood changes
- poor balance
- hallucinations
- abnormal thoughts
WITHDRAWAL AND DETOX
Withdrawal from opioids can be particularly unpleasant, and we recommend our medically-assisted detox program. Some of the symptoms you can expect during withdrawal are:
- sweating
- chills
- muscle spasms
- depression
- anxiety
- stomach pain/nausea
- insomnia
- exhaustion
- hypertension
TREATMENT
Due to fentanyl’s high potency and risk of overdose death, it is imperative to get immediate help for you, or someone you know who is using fentanyl. Due to the dangers of withdrawal, we recommend Profound’s medically assisted detox. Following detox, our inpatient rehab can be the best option for opioid users. Profound also offers Sober Living and Intensive Outpatient options.
Profound offers programs for every step of the recovery process, and our clinicians will work with you to map out a unique treatment plan best suited to your needs.
Sources:
https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html
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