Living With Healthy Hunger Health Blog
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic with 50–100 times the potency of morphine. This potent opioid is used for those with persistent pain who have not received relief from other medications. Additionally, it may be utilized to treat terminally sick individuals with breakthrough cancer pain. Fentanyl was created in 1959, was originally used as an IV anesthetic in the 1960s, and is now widely available with a prescription in various forms, such as lozenges and patches. Like other prescribed opioids, fentanyl works therapeutically by activating and binding to opioid receptors in the brain. Fentanyl stops pain signals by interacting with these receptors to reduce central nervous system activity. Unfortunately, even among patients who start taking fentanyl on a doctor’s recommendation to relieve pain, addiction to the opioid is all too common.
Addiction to and Detoxification from Fentanyl
The initial stage in treating fentanyl abuse is often medical detoxification, which is then accompanied by behavioral treatment centered on individual and group counseling.
When opioid use disorder is treated with FDA-approved drugs, opioid withdrawal may be controlled, and long-term abstinence can be sustained.
Drug Withdrawal and Drug Detox
Fentanyl dependence is a common physiological adaptation in which the body needs the drug to operate correctly and avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. If an individual hooked on fentanyl or other opioids abruptly stops using them or significantly decreases their dose, the clinical manifestations of opioid withdrawal will manifest. These symptoms include:
- Joint and muscular aches and stiffness.
- Strong cravings
- Sleep issues
- Shivers
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Many people continue to take opioids like fentanyl long after they lose their euphoric effects because it may be difficult to manage withdrawal symptoms. One benefit of medical detox clinics is the presence of doctors and nurses who can assist with the withdrawal process and provide comfort care to lessen the likelihood of recurrence.
Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction
Detox has been proven ineffective when utilized alone to foster long-term abstinence. The need for further therapy, such as behavioral counseling, is often necessary to lessen the risk of returning to fentanyl or opiate addiction. NIDA reports that medically assisted treatment (MAT), which incorporates behavioral therapy and medication, has been proven effective in treating fentanyl addiction.
The use of behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, which assists the addict in identifying the problems and triggers that previously led to their use of the drug, can help someone overcome a fentanyl addiction. Additionally, they could increase the person’s motivation to make wiser decisions.
By reducing cravings and the chance of relapse, medication may support a person’s recovery. Methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone), and naltrexone are three of the 18 medications used in opioid maintenance treatment.
Taylor Recovery Center Provides Cutting-Edge Treatment for Fentanyl Dependence and Other Substance Abuse Issues
If you or a beloved one are hooked to fentanyl, Taylor Recovery Center in Dallas can be of great help. With the aid of our treatment facilities, hundreds of men and women have successfully completed fentanyl detoxification and embarked on new paths. Our outpatient and in-patient programs are tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Call Taylor Center today to talk to an admissions specialist at our fentanyl rehab center and learn more about our treatment options.
