FAQ About Fentanyl

Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful opioid drug. This synthetic opioid is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine making it incredibly dangerous and addictive. Fentanyl is a prescription medication with legitimate medical uses; however, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is also abundant. Illicit fentanyl is often added to other street drugs such as heroin, meth, and fake prescription drugs. Users are often unaware they are taking fentanyl laced drugs and because of fentanyl’s extreme potency, users can easily overdose by accident. Fentanyl is responsible for the vast majority of drug overdose fatalities today.
  

Fentanyl is prescribed for people in severe pain. It is especially effective for patients who are in pain as a result of cancer. Since fentanyl can also be used in lieu of morphine, it is also often used during surgery. Sometimes fentanyl is also prescribed for people with chronic pain.
 

There are several physical and psychological side effects that come along with consuming fentanyl or developing a fentanyl addiction. Some examples include a false sense of well-being, confusion, feelings of anxiety, stomach issues, mood changes and a slow heartbeat. These side effects are exacerbated if a person has had a fentanyl overdose.
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Fentanyl is a short lasting yet fast acting opioid. Fentanyl will only stay in your system for anywhere between two and four hours which is ultimately what can lead many people to develop a fentanyl addiction and need fentanyl rehab. Since the lifespan of this drug is so short, it’s not uncommon for a person to take more fentanyl to try to make the high last longer. The reality is that this will only open the door to the very real possibility of overdose.
 

Fentanyl is much stronger than morphine which is one of the leading reasons why it is responsible for so many overdoses. The potency of fentanyl means that it should never be consumed unless it’s been prescribed and even then, it should be taken with extreme caution and within the prescribed dosage.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which means that this substance is developed in a laboratory. Opiates drugs are directly made from opium poppies and include heroin and opium. Opioids are drugs that are at least partly synthetic (made in a lab). The result is that fentanyl is much more potent and addictive than an opiate which also makes it far more dangerous.

Fentanyl can be taken in many different shapes and forms. You may be surprised to learn that one of the most popular ways that this drug is consumed is through a transdermal (skin) patch. A fentanyl patch is usually reserved for people who are very sick and need to experience the relief that this drug can bring around the clock. The patch is applied directly to the skin and will not have to be changed for up to 72 hours.

Unfortunately, fentanyl addiction carries multiple consequences including withdrawal symptoms when users try to quit. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include cravings, shakiness, digestive issues, trouble breathing and even seizures. Because of the potential severity of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms it’s also recommended that you go through the withdrawal process in a medical detox program under clinical supervision.
 

In most cases, fentanyl withdrawal will last approximately seven days. You will experience the worst of your withdrawal symptoms between the first few hours and the first three days of your time in detox. By the end of your week in detox, you will be in a healthier place both physically and psychologically so that you can better focus on a long term treatment plan.

 

The safest way to go through the fentanyl detox process is to partner with a treatment facility that offers this type of recovery option in a medical environment. Sadly, there are countless people that attempt to go through the detox process at home without medical help and they come to experience the severe and life-threatening consequences of this decision. When you make the decision that you no longer want fentanyl to be a part of your life, reach out to a facility right away so that you can get the immediate care that you need.