Fentanyl is part of the opioid drugs and is a strong synthetic chemical that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is a prescribed medicine that is also illegally manufactured and abused.
It’s a drug similar to morphine in that it’s used to treat people in a lot of pain, especially after surgery. It’s also used to treat chronic pain patients who are physically tolerant of other opioids.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 classifies fentanyl as a class-A restricted substance in the United Kingdom.
Fentanyl can be given as a shot, a patch applied to the skin, or tablets sucked like cough drops when prescribed by a doctor.
Labs produce the illegally used fentanyl that has been linked to recent overdoses. Synthetic fentanyl is sold illegally as a powder, blotter paper, eye droppers, nasal sprays, and pills that appear like other prescribed opioids.
Fentanyl is being mixed with other substances like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA by some drug dealers.
Fentanyl is available in more variations than virtually any other prescription pain reliever, including:
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Fentanyl is sold under the brand names Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze in its prescription form.
Street names for the drug include:
Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain and central nervous system like other opioids. The mu receptor (MOR), as well as the delta (DOR) and kappa (KOR) opioid receptors, are all affected. This triggers the release of nociceptive (pain-related) neurotransmitters, which inhibit the sense of pain. This inhibition alters the affected person’s experience of pain, resulting in analgesic benefits.
Tolerance to fentanyl develops quickly. This means that the fentanyl dose you’re taking will grow less effective over time. You may notice that the drug isn’t providing you with the same amount of relief or eliciting the same joyful sentiments.
Many people believe that the solution to this problem is to take more of the medicine. So, while the greater dose may initially provide the desired relief, it will become less effective with time. As a result, the cycle of abuse continues.
Fentanyl, like other opioid medicines, is only intended for short-term usage unless it’s part of a pain management plan for cancer patients. However, remember that exceeding the appropriate amount of fentanyl is considered misuse and can develop into physical dependence. On the other hand, even taking it at the recommended dose for a long time can develop into physical dependence.
When a physical dependence develops, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when the drug’s effects wear off or when you try to stop or reduce your use. You may have realised that taking more fentanyl relieves your withdrawal symptoms, but this can develop into addiction without you realising it.
Although many features of addiction are widely established, it is still unclear what causes it in any given person, as one person may acquire an addiction while another under comparable circumstances does not. Both environmental and genetic factors are known to play a role. Fundamentally, the more fentanyl a person consumes and the more frequently they use it, the more likely they are to develop an addiction.
Addiction is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A family history of substance misuse and addiction and a family history of mental health disorders are both strong markers that an individual would develop a fentanyl addiction.
Other hereditary markers that influence the likelihood of fentanyl addiction include the rate at which the body metabolises opioids and the occurrence of chronic pain-causing disorders. The gene transcription factor DeltaFosB, particularly its overexpression in the nucleus accumbens, is a key contributor to drug addiction. DeltaFosB is still being studied to see its exact importance and how it might be handled in addiction treatment.
Some of these factors include:
Individuals who have low self-esteem and routinely participate in risk-taking behaviour, have one or more mental health conditions (particularly depression or anxiety), are introverted and withdrawn, lack strong ambition or a sense of purpose, or have a strong need to fit in are at a higher risk of fentanyl addiction.
Due to genetic susceptibility to addiction, certain people may get addicted to opioids like fentanyl. A good illustration of this is the children of alcoholics. According to specialists, children with alcoholic parents are 3-4 times more likely to become dependent on a substance as adults than children with non-alcoholic parents.
Ailments of health aren’t just limited to bodily well-being. Some people start using fentanyl to relieve pain and then get addicted to it. Others may be at risk due to medical difficulties. If you have a mental health disorder, you’re more prone to use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the symptoms of your illness.
The following are some of the signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction:
When someone abuses fentanyl for the euphoric high it provides, they will need thorough addiction treatment to wean themselves off opiate medications properly. Addiction is a brain illness that drives you to continue using despite knowing the dangers. Fentanyl abusers develop a dependency on the drug. When you try to discontinue using fentanyl, you’ll encounter physical and psychological symptoms since it alters brain chemistry.
Perspiration, runny nose, backache, yawning, gastrointestinal pain, tearful eyes, excessive sweating, muscle/joint pain, nausea, higher heart rate, dilated pupils, increased breathing, and insomnia are all symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal.
Most addicts’ withdrawal symptoms fade after a week, but long-term addicts’ symptoms might linger up to two weeks.
Fentanyl addiction, like any other addiction, can have severe implications for the user. Furthermore, due to the drug’s potency, the danger of mortality from an overdose is extremely significant. Chronic usage of the substance also poses a serious health risk.
Fentanyl abuse frequently occurs without the user being aware of what has transpired. They may have begun taking the drug for pain relief but soon felt compelled to continue using it, although understanding that doing so would impact daily life.
Because fentanyl is a central nervous system depressant, individuals who are exposed to it may experience symptoms such as:
You’ve probably realised that fentanyl addiction can cause serious health problems. Still, you should also be aware that it can affect your entire well-being, particularly in terms of your relationships with others. As your addiction worsens, your family and friends will struggle to cope with your changed behaviour. This can place a lot of strain on relationships, pushing some to the breaking point.
It’s painful to see a loved one battling addiction, especially when you know there’s nothing you can do to help. Co-dependency, a condition in which family members’ and friends’ behaviour changes as a result of the addict’s, is a risk. Co-dependency is the word used to describe people who develop their own addiction to an addict. Many people put their own pleasure ahead of their great need to aid a loved one who is addicted.
Many more hazards join short-term consequences as fentanyl consumption becomes more common, including an increased chance of addiction and dependence and an increased risk of irreversible physical health difficulties over time. These include neurological impairment (because of recurrent hypoxia caused by respiratory depression), damage to the circulatory, digestive, pulmonary, and digestive systems, and the liver. Users may also have mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, poor cognitive functioning, memory loss, and anhedonia.
Overdosing on fentanyl is exceptionally dangerous, as it can cause severe central nervous system depression. Overdosing can occur when too much of the drug is taken or when it is coupled with other substances. It’s critical to recognise the indications of an overdose so that you can seek treatment immediately, whether for yourself or a loved one. These are some of the warning signs:
If a fentanyl overdose is not treated promptly, it can result in respiratory difficulty, cardiac arrest, and death. If you or someone you know exhibits any of the symptoms mentioned above after taking too much fentanyl or mixing it with another narcotic, get medical attention immediately.
Substance abuse disorder and co-occurring disorders have a direct association. A co-occurring disorder occurs when a person shows indicators of both a substance abuse condition and a mental health issue simultaneously.
Individuals suffering from fentanyl addiction can also exhibit symptoms of the following disorders:
When a person has both a mental health disease and a substance misuse problem, both must be treated with the appropriate treatment throughout detox and rehab.
Fentanyl addiction is a dangerous disease that can be treated. Those who wish to beat it need to undergo a comprehensive treatment programme that includes detox for the physical side of the condition and rehabilitation for the psychological side. After then, there should be follow-up care or aftercare.
Medication combined with behavioural therapy has been demonstrated to be beneficial in treating fentanyl addiction, just as it has been for other opioid addictions.
You’ll discover how to stop abusing fentanyl once and for all in a recovery centre. Through a series of counselling sessions, you will be assisted in identifying the causes of your addiction. You may expect a personalised treatment plan that is suited to your specific needs. The following items are likely to be included in the plan:
It’s also likely that holistic therapies like yoga, meditation, and art therapy will be used to help you. These treatments are meant to be used in conjunction with standard talking and behaviour therapy, with the goal of healing the mind, body, spirit, and the condition itself.
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Detoxification (detox) from fentanyl is required to overcome physical dependence. It entails a period of complete abstinence from fentanyl and other misuse substances while the body returns to equilibrium, during which withdrawal symptoms are likely to appear. Detoxification may be made a little simpler throughout therapy with the use of medicines.
Because of the risks of withdrawal, it is strongly advised that you get medical help before attempting to detox from fentanyl. Always see your doctor or an addiction specialist for advice on how to safely detox.
Because of the drug’s strength, withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl addiction can be severe. As a result, it’s critical that you finish your detox at a medically supervised detox centre, where professionals can help you avoid relapse by administering drugs like methadone and buprenorphine to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Buprenorphine and methadone reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms by binding to the same opioid receptors in the brain as fentanyl. Another drug, naltrexone, inhibits the action of fentanyl by blocking opioid receptors.
Antidepressants and anxiolytics may be recommended to treat persistent depression and anxiety during withdrawal. In contrast, antidepressants and anxiolytics may be prescribed to treat persistent depression and anxiety in the long run.
People can talk to their doctor about treatment choices.
Inpatient and outpatient treatment are frequent in rehabilitation (rehab) institutions. Inpatient stays are typically one to three months long and include a detoxification period followed by rehabilitation. Other aspects of a holistic addiction treatment programme, such as personalised food and fitness regimens, may also be included, all of which are delivered in a safe, calm, and confidential environment conducive to healing and recovery.
Outpatient treatment may be helpful for addicts who do not believe they can devote the time required for inpatient treatment because of personal or professional obligations. However, it might be difficult because it does not remove the addict from their everyday surroundings of substance misuse and addiction.
Behavioural therapy for opioid addiction, such as fentanyl addiction, can help patients change their attitudes and behaviours towards drug use, develop healthy life skills, and stick to their medicine. Here are a few examples:
These behavioural treatment methods are beneficial, especially when combined with medications.
No matter where you live, there are drug and alcohol rehab options for you to discover. Treatment providers are waiting to answer your questions. Get started today.
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