Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse: Fentanyl

Symptoms of a Fentanyl Addiction

One of the scariest things any parent can face is their child becoming addicted to an illegal substance. Fortunately, there are many medical professionals who are ready and able to help at a moment’s notice. Centers like Chapman’s House are ready to assist you and your teenager on the road to recovery. Even in the face of extreme threats like fentanyl, we are here to offer guidance and support.

What Is Fentanyl?

As a member of the opioid family, fentanyl is a drug that every parent should be aware of. Because fentanyl is a real form of treatment for patients with extreme chronic pain, it comes in a variety of forms that may be easy to disguise. Most commonly, it can be found in an ingestible form, such as a tablet, or as an applicant, such as a patch. Unless a test is specifically designed to detect fentanyl, the drug is typically undetectable after as little as three days. As such, it is extremely important to understand the symptoms of this drug through the behavioral changes it can incite in your loved ones.

Short-Term Symptoms

As with many severe drugs, the symptoms of a fentanyl addiction are often quick to set in. Users report feeling a heroin-like high, but the repercussions for indulging is quick; fentanyl is considered to be up to 60 percent more addictive than morphine. With drugs this severe, there is almost no time between experimenting and addiction. Early use often causes quick behavioral and physiological changes. Abnormal tiredness, as well as a disoriented or confused state of mind, are common. Additionally, fentanyl can also cause nausea, hot flashes, and mood changes. Breathing problems can also develop as abuse of the chemical continues, which can lead to alarming long-term symptoms.

Long-Term Symptoms

The long-term symptoms of a fentanyl addiction are very serious due to the fact that it is an opioid. One of the major side effects that can cause permanent damage is suffocating the brain. Air deprivation is gradually caused by depression of respiration and non-fatal strokes. The result is permanent brain damage that resembles dementia. Additionally, fentanyl abuse often causes general pain, depression, and a numbness toward any other less extreme or non-chemical stimulus. Finally, this chemical greatly impacts the ability of virtually all bodily systems.

Treatment of Fentanyl

Being a strong drug, fentanyl usually requires an immediate “cold turkey” approach. Depending on the severity of the addiction, an individual may require hospitalization to work through the worst of the detox period. Afterward, the individual will spend time in both inpatient and outpatient centers to continue the healing process.

As an outpatient facility with a dedicated fentanyl addiction treatment program, Chapman’s House is prepared to help loved ones through the difficult process of readjusting to normal life. This is a crucial step in the process, and treatment of any opioid addiction requires professional care and patience, both of which we are equipped to provide.

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