When used appropriately, medicines improve the health of people. However, when they are misused or overdosed, consequences can be catastrophic. Similarly, the abuse of pain reliever Fentanyl drug yields devastating results. Such types of drugs are usually prescribed for patients who suffer from chronic pain or who undergo cancer treatment and chemotherapies. Since this drug is habit-forming in nature, people start abusing it which can lead to serious drug addiction problems. Thus, here, we will discuss what Fentanyl is, what its side-effects are, how its addiction looks like and why its abusers need Fentanyl Addiction Treatment. So, let’s start the discussion.

Introduction to Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a potent opioid substance and belongs to Schedule II controlled medication. It was first synthesized by Paul Janssen in 1960 and marketed widely for treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is one of the prescription opiates that are approved for long-term treatment plan. This may be the reason, why it is one of the most addictive painkillers/pain relieving medications.

Fentanyl comes in many forms such as transdermal patches, nasal spray, lozenges, sublingual dissolving tablets, injectable liquid and dissolvable film strips.

Side-Effects of Abusing Fentanyl

The major portion of Fentanyl abusers is contributed by those who got prescribed the drug for pain management. Over time, people begin to misuse the drug by taking it more often than prescribed by the doctors believing that it will be more effective if taken more. Unfortunately, it is not true and also poses many risks to the patient’s health.

Excessive use or misuse of this drug may expose people to several problems like depressed breathing, coma and loss of sensation for pain and many of the drug abusers even die.

So, what do you think now about the treatment? Receiving Fentanyl Addiction Treatment is immensely important for people who have developed a dependency on this drug and abuse it.

But, how would you identify that your friend or family member is addicted to this drug?

Signs of Fentanyl addiction

  • Tolerance to this opioid
  • Using it to avoid withdrawal symptoms
  • Opting out of social activities in order to use this drug
  • Preoccupied with fentanyl
  • Failing to quit when a person wants to do so
  • Using this substance in non-recommended dosage despite its negative effects

Some people end up being dependent on opioids like fentanyl because of the genetic predisposition to addiction. Children of alcoholic parents are a strong example of this as they are 3 to 4 times as likely to abuse opioids as an adult in comparison to children with non-alcoholic parents.

Others are at the risk because of certain health issues which result in chronic pain. They start using this drug in order to get relief from the pain but end up on abusing it. Moreover, health ailments are not restricted to physical health either. If an individual is suffering from mental health disorder, he/she is more likely to engage in drug abuse in order to self medicating the symptoms.

Dependence on opioids like fentanyl is partially a psychological issue but remains primarily a physical one for most of the drug abusers. When such substance is abused for a long period of time, it may cause dysfunction in the brain as dopamine receptors in the brain start to malfunction and cannot operate effectively without opioids driving them.

So, there is no shortcut to fix fentanyl addiction. Individuals with fentanyl addiction require a more controlled Fentanyl Addiction Treatment. So, if you know someone who is addicted to this medication or you, yourself, are addicted to this opioid, get the assistance as early as possible in order to lead a happy and calm life.