Fentanyl Overdoses on the Rise
There have been many high-profile overdoses throughout the years. But within the past decade a high percentage of them have something in common: fentanyl.
This dangerous opioid has taken communities by storm, resulting in a loss of lives, a breakdown in families, and various other medical issues. However, although breaking free from a fentanyl dependency may feel challenging, it is far from impossible. But why is fentanyl dangerous?
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a popular synthetic opioid that medical professionals generally use to provide pain relief for their patients after a surgical procedure or a significant injury. However, fentanyl is far from your average pain reliever, as a dose can be up to 100 times more effective than morphine. Unfortunately, the power of this drug often comes at a cost.
Fentanyl prescriptions must be monitored closely. If you believe you are developing tolerance to the medication, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Developing a dependency on fentanyl is often a slippery slope that can quickly spiral out of control without adequate care.
Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
The quick answer is potency and accessibility. It can be up to 100 times more effective than morphine. It is even more potent than heroin—up to 50 times! Fentanyl produces effects such as drowsiness and hallucinations, which introduces a strong sense of euphoria.
The strength and effects of the substance has made it a popular option for illicit drug manufacturers. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (or IMF) can be found laced with cocaine and heroin. Other manufacturers (primarily from Mexico and China) are adding it into counterfeit medication tablets that copy the effects of certain benzodiazepines and other opioids.
It’s become desirable and easily produced … this means it’s pretty easy to find. This is a big contributor to the question, “Why Is Fentanyl Dangerous?”
Unfortunately, the more fentanyl a person takes the more tolerant they become. This tolerance boost often leads to most people snowballing their dosage to ensure that they feel the same level of euphoria that they were previously experiencing.
The route to increased fentanyl use is often a painful watch and a terrible experience, with most people standing little chance of cutting their dependency without external help.
What Does Addiction to Fentanyl Look Like?
Fentanyl shares several symptoms with typical opioids, including:
- Insomnia
- Issues with maintaining focus
- Vomiting
- A loss of consciousness
- Trouble breathing
- A reduction in your heart rate
- Confusion
- Impaired judgment
- Disorientation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Rapid mood swings
- Depression
How Do You Treat an Addiction to Fentanyl?
Fortunately, there are various ways to treat excess fentanyl use. The most important is to begin with a fentanyl rehab in Austin. Your fentanyl addiction treatment will be comprehensive and include one-on-one therapy sessions, you and your therapist can dive into the root cause of your dependency, allowing you to spot your triggers and handle them effectively in the future.
One of the core beliefs at our Austin rehabilitation center is with the right tools, recovery is possible. Our program is designed to give you those tools. If you notice that you or a loved one has developed a dependency on this drug, there really is no time to lose. It is one of the most serious drugs on the street today and it is a case of life or death.
