If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to Fentanyl, the good news is that there’s hope. Recovery from fentanyl addiction is something that you can experience for yourself, but you’ll need to seek assistance from a professional drug rehab facility. Typically, this will mean spending some time inpatient. Here’s what you need to know about recovery from an addiction to Fentanyl:
Fentanyl Addiction is Serious
If you’re suffering from an addiction to Fentanyl, it’s important to realize that the situation has the potential to turn extremely serious. Not only is the drug highly addictive, but it’s a common culprit in fatal overdoses. Furthermore, it is known to cause severe long-term health consequences, such as the following serious complications of Fentanyl abuse:
- Damage to internal organs
- Mental health problems
- Problems with one’s interpersonal relationships and career
It’s Impossible to Safely Determine the Dosage of Illicit Fentanyl
If you are using Fentanyl that you purchased illegally, there’s no way to know exactly what’s in it. Not only that, but you won’t even know for sure what drug(s) it actually contains! While test kits can allow you to determine the compounds in a batch of illicit drugs with some degree of accuracy, these tests are not completely accurate. In fact, it is not unheard for products sold as Fentanyl to contain Carfentanil or other ultra-potent Fentanyl analogues. This can lead to a fatal overdose very easily, which means that it’s important to quite Fentanyl as soon as you can. In fact, an addict who is using street Fentanyl often will die from a fatal overdose within a matter of a few months or years.
Prescription Fentanyl Users Can Develop Severe Addiction as Well
Even if Fentanyl is prescribed and taken as prescribed, it is not without risk. However, many individuals who take the drug end up taking larger dosages than prescribed, which often leads to addiction to the drug. Due to the extreme potency of the medication, it’s very easy to overdose on the drug. Therefore, an individual who takes Fentanyl and is using more than prescribed is at very high risk of suffering an overdose. Furthermore, many individuals who are addicted to prescription Fentanyl get more of the medication than they’re prescribed by purchasing the drug illegally. This is especially true nowadays, due to the fact that the drug is easily accessible online and on the streets of many towns and cities. Luckily, if you seek treatment from a rehabilitation facility, you’ll be able to overcome an addiction to prescription or illicit Fentanyl.
How Do You Know if Someone is Using Fentanyl?
If you suspect that someone you love is using Fentanyl, it’s important to recognize the signs of addiction to the drug right away. While it can be tricky to spot drug abuse of all kinds, there are several key signs of Fentanyl addiction that you should be aware of:
- Constricted pupils
- Confusion
- Appearing to pass out without lying down (e.g. “nodding”)
- Requiring increasing doses of the drug in order to feel normal
- Secretive behavior
However, it’s important to realize that Fentanyl addiction can be more difficult to spot than you may expect. While the drug produces extremely powerful effects, most individuals suffering from an addiction to the drug will need to consume it just to feel normal. Therefore, the signs of addiction are often only apparent when an individual stops using Fentanyl abruptly and is in withdrawal.
The Will to Get Better is the Most Important Variable
Many individuals with an addiction to Fentanyl and/or other substances grossly underestimate the role of their own willpower when it comes to overcoming addiction. While there are many factors to consider when any individual is trying to boost their willpower to go through with pursuing recovery, these are a few of the most important ones to keep in mind:
- Remind yourself that life will ultimately be better without Fentanyl.
- Go to rehab once you are fully committed to getting better.
- Remember that the process of recovery is challenging, but the reward is well worth it.
If you are ready to get help for your Fentanyl addiction, we’re here to talk anytime. So, give us a call today at 772-266-5320!
