Lately, there’s a lot of talk about how dangerous fentanyl is and how addictive a substance it can be. But what exactly is it, and how does fentanyl work? It’s a controlled substance, and it’s sometimes prescribed by doctors when a patient is in severe levels of pain. Fentanyl is made from opioids like morphine and oxycodone are, but it is much stronger and can be much more addictive. It can be very helpful when a doctor prescribes it, but using it too long or without a prescription is a good way to develop a deadly addiction.
Some people use fentanyl socially or recreationally. Some street dealers will sell fentanyl as oxycodone, making people believe they are taking one substance when they take something very different. A fentanyl overdose can be lethal, and if you’re struggling with a dependency on fentanyl, you should consider opioid addiction treatment.
Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach offers opioid addiction treatment at every level. From our detoxification program, handled with 24/7 attentive care, to our aftercare options, we want to see you succeed in your journey to sobriety. Fentanyl addiction can feel isolating, but you aren’t alone. To get the help you deserve, call us today at 877.279.1777 or fill out our secure online form.
How Does Fentanyl Work?
Fentanyl, although leagues more potent, is very similar to morphine. Both are prescribed for severe pain and may be prescribed after surgery or chronic pain when a patient no longer responds to other pain medicine. It’s sometimes administered as a shot, a patch, or a lozenge. Street fentanyl can come intravenously, in a powder, or pills. It’s also sometimes mixed with other illegal substances such as heroin and cocaine. This makes fentanyl easier to overdose on, as you may think it’s something different.
It affects you by binding to your body’s opioid receptors, which signal the part of your brain that causes pain and emotions. After a period of use, your body will become more accustomed to or tolerant of the drug, necessitating larger and larger doses to feel the same kind of high or pain relief. It can also become harder to feel pleasure or joy from anything other than fentanyl as your brain adjusts to the drug. This greatly impacts dependency and addiction and can make it difficult to quit independently.
The Effects of Fentanyl Use
There are many effects of fentanyl use, and like any drug, it may affect different people in different ways. Its immediate effects include euphoria, pain relief, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and impaired balance. Long term use of fentanyl can cause:
- Unstable moods or emotions
- Lowered sex drive or inability to become aroused
- Severe constipation
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses and mood disorders
- Heart trouble, including heart attack, arrhythmia, and failure
- Difficulty breathing, especially while asleep
- Changes in menstrual cycle or reproductive system
Fentanyl also carries a high risk of overdose, especially when sold as a different substance. Fentanyl overdoses can be deadly, and in case of overdose, you must call emergency services immediately and administer naloxone if you have access to any. Naloxone, or Narcan, should be kept around by anyone who uses fentanyl, even under a doctor’s orders.
Get Sober and Stay Sober with Oceanfront Recovery
When you choose Oceanfront Recovery for your addiction treatment needs, you’ll work with professionals to build a toolbox of skills to combat your substance abuse. We offer many different treatment programs and therapy styles and operate in a comfortable and welcoming facility. Oceanfront Recovery is a good choice for anyone wanting to make real changes in their behavior around addictive substances. To learn more about our services, contact us today by calling 877.279.1777.
