Fentanyl Addcition
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, significantly more potent than morphine and heroin. Initially developed for medical use, fentanyl is prescribed to manage severe pain, particularly in cancer patients or those undergoing major surgeries. Due to its potency, it is highly effective in treating intense pain that other opioids cannot adequately relieve. However, this same potency makes fentanyl extremely dangerous when misused.
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Why do people use fentanyl?
Fentanyl is used legitimately under strict medical supervision. Doctors prescribe it in cases where patients experience severe pain that is unmanageable with other painkillers. It is often administered through patches, lozenges, or injections. Due to its rapid onset and effectiveness, it is a crucial tool in palliative care and in managing pain for patients who are tolerant to other opioids.
Fentanyl is also produced and sold illegally, often mixed with other substances like heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit pills. This illegal production is done without any quality control, leading to unpredictable and often deadly dosages. People use illicit fentanyl for its intense euphoric effects, which are far more powerful than other opioids. Unfortunately, because of its potency, even a slight miscalculation in dosage can result in overdose and death.
Is fentanyl addictive?
Fentanyl is highly addictive. Its potency means that it binds quickly and strongly to opioid receptors in the brain, leading to a rapid and intense release of dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical. This creates a powerful high, which can quickly lead to physical and psychological dependence. As the body becomes accustomed to the presence of fentanyl, higher and more frequent doses are needed to achieve the same effect, fostering a cycle of addiction.
What is fentanyl withdrawal?
Fentanyl withdrawal occurs when a person who has been using fentanyl, either prescribed or illicitly, suddenly reduces or stops taking the drug. Since fentanyl is a potent opioid, the body becomes dependent on it over time. When the drug is no longer available, the body reacts with a range of unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms as it attempts to regain balance, withdrawal can be severe due to the drug’s potency and quick onset.
Common symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include:
Early onset symptoms:
Later symptoms:
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms typically start within a few hours after the last dose and can last for several days to weeks, depending on the duration and level of use. Medical supervision is recommended to manage symptoms of withdrawal effectively and reduce the risk of relapse.
Signs and symptoms of fentanyl abuse and addiction
Recognising the signs of fentanyl abuse and addiction is crucial for early intervention. Some of the common signs include:
Physical symptoms:
Behavioural signs:
Psychological symptoms:
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are extremely dangerous due to their potency, high risk of overdose, and their prevalence in the illicit drug market. The withdrawal from fentanyl can be severe, but with proper medical care and treatment, individuals can safely navigate the detox process.
Treatment for fentanyl addiction at the rehab centre
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid with legitimate medical uses but also a high potential for abuse and addiction. Recognising the signs of fentanyl addiction and seeking appropriate treatment is essential for anyone struggling with this potent drug. With the right combination of medical treatment, therapy, and support, recovery from fentanyl addiction is possible.
Ibiza Calm is a specialised treatment clinic that provides rehab treatment for individuals who are struggling with fentanyl addiction and dependency. Treating fentanyl addiction requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.
The rehab centre offers a comprehensive approach to recovery from fentanyl addiction, including medical detox, therapy, and support groups. The Ibiza Calm team comprises experienced healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, who work together to provide the highest level of care and support to each patient.
Key components of residential fentanyl addiction treatment at Ibiza Calm
Inpatient treatment at the rehab centre includes:
Detoxification (detox): This is the process of safely managing withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using fentanyl, or any other synthetic opioid. Detoxing from opioids should be done under medical supervision due to the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms. At Ibiza Calm all detox’s are overseen by our medical director, Dr Manuel Rodriguez.
Medication management: Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can be used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, helping to prevent relapse. These medications are most effective when combined with therapy counselling and other support services. Alongside Dr Rodriguez, our team of highly qualified, licenced, medical professionals support clients through their detox and withdrawal, constantly monitoring medications to ensure they are effective and well-tolerated.
Individual and group therapy: Counselling and therapy are critical components of treatment, helping individuals understand the underlying causes of their addiction, develop coping strategies, and rebuild their lives. Regular one-to-one sessions with one of our specialist therapists and facilitated group sessions provide support to all our clients.
Family therapy: Involving family members can help to rebuild relationships, improve family dynamics, and educate them about addiction and recovery. All our treatment programmes include a family support group. Any family members can attend, weekly online, from the moment their loved one enters the treatment clinic.
Aftercare planning: Long-term recovery from fentanyl and opioid addiction involves ongoing support, such as continued therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes to prevent relapse. As part of our tailored treatment programmes, all clients are introduced to the aftercare therapy group before leaving the clinic, ensuring they are confident of ongoing, continued support.
Other types of synthetic opioids
Fentanyl is just one of many synthetic opioids, which are man-made drugs designed to mimic the effects of natural opioids (such as morphine or codeine). Some other commonly known synthetic opioids include:
Carfentanil: One of the most potent synthetic opioids, primarily used as a tranquiliser for large animals like elephants. It is about 100 times stronger than fentanyl and is extremely dangerous for human consumption.
Methadone: A synthetic opioid used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. It helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same euphoric effects as other opioids.
Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist used in MAT as well. It has a ceiling effect, meaning its effects plateau, making it safer than full opioid agonists like fentanyl.
Tramadol: A synthetic opioid often prescribed for moderate pain relief. It has a lower risk of addiction compared to stronger opioids but can still be dangerous when misused.
Oxycodone (semi-synthetic): While derived from natural opioids, oxycodone is semi-synthetic and is often prescribed for pain management. It carries a high risk of addiction and abuse.
Why are synthetic opioids so dangerous?
Extreme potency: Synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl and carfentanil, are incredibly potent. Fentanyl is about 50-100 times more potent than morphine, and carfentanil is 100 times stronger than fentanyl. Even small doses of these drugs can cause fatal overdoses, as users might not realise how much they are taking.
Risk of overdose: Due to their potency, synthetic opioids suppress the respiratory system quickly. Breathing slows down or stops altogether in cases of overdose, leading to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the brain), coma, or death.
Illicit production and contamination: Much of the fentanyl available illicitly is manufactured in illegal labs. It is often mixed with other substances like heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit pills. Because the dosage is not regulated, users may take a much higher dose than intended, leading to overdose.
Rapid addiction: Synthetic opioids produce a strong euphoric effect, which can lead to rapid physical and psychological dependence. As the body builds a tolerance, users require increasingly higher doses to achieve the same effect, heightening the risk of overdose.
Difficulty in detecting presence: Synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl, are often mixed with other drugs without the user’s knowledge. Someone may believe they are using heroin or cocaine, but a small amount of fentanyl could be present, leading to an unintended overdose.
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