Fentanyl Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Risks, And Treatment Resources

Illicitly produced fentanyl is one of the leading causes of fatal overdoses in the US. The risk of fentanyl overdose increases when the drug is mixed with other drugs – with or without the person’s knowledge – but can happen with prescription fentanyl, which is why it’s important to take fentanyl under medical supervision.

Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Overdose

A fentanyl overdose can be deadly. The signs and symptoms of fentanyl overdose include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Shallow, irregular, or stopped breathing
• Tiny pupils
• Limp body
• Blue, cold, or pale skin
• Choking or gurgling noises

What to do if you suspect someone is overdosing on fentanyl:

If you suspect someone is overdosing on fentanyl, call 911 immediately. Wait for emergency medical professionals and try to keep the person conscious. You can turn them on their side to prevent choking if they vomit. Administer naloxone if you have it. If they don’t start breathing normally within two or three minutes, administer another dose.

Long-term fentanyl use poses significant risks to physical and mental health. It’s an extremely potent opioid, and misuse over extended periods can lead to serious consequences like:

• Tolerance: Abusing fentanyl over long periods may lead to tolerance, which is when you need a higher dose to achieve the same effects.
• Physical dependence: Long-term use of fentanyl can lead to physical dependence, which is when the body becomes accustomed to the presence of the drug. Abruptly stopping or reducing the dose can cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Addiction: Persistent use of fentanyl increases the risk of developing an addiction.
• Overdose: The risk of overdose significantly increases with frequent or prolonged abuse of fentanyl. Because of its potency, just a small increase in dosage can cause life-threatening toxicity (overdose).
• Cardiovascular issues: Fentanyl use can contribute to cardiovascular problems like low blood pressure and a slowed heart rate that affect heart health.
• Cognitive impairment: Chronic fentanyl abuse can cause cognitive impairment, including difficulties with memory, attention, and decision making.
• Increased disease risk: People who abuse fentanyl intravenously are at an increased risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

Mixing fentanyl with other drugs, including prescription medications, can increase the risk of overdose and adverse effects. Fentanyl is potent, and mixing it with other substances can have unpredictable and dangerous consequences. Some of the risks of mixing fentanyl with other drugs include:

• Increased respiratory depression, particularly with other depressants like benzodiazepines or alcohol
• Dangerous levels of sedation and drowsiness
• Potentially fatal overdose
• Strain on the cardiovascular system, particularly with stimulant drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine
• Impaired cognitive function like confusion or memory loss
• Increased risk of life-threatening serotonin syndrome with drugs that affect serotonin levels, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Changes in the perception of pain, which can lead to unintentional injury

Fentanyl is highly addictive because of its potency. Like other opioids, it acts on the opioid receptors in the brain and body, providing pain relief and euphoria that may encourage misuse.

With a potency 50 to 100 times that of morphine, another powerful opioid, fentanyl is among the most addictive substances available.

The signs of addiction to fentanyl can vary but may include:

• Weight loss
• Poor concentration and focus
• Mood swings or agitation
• Problems with relationships
• Significant changes in sleep
• Social isolation
• Problems at work, home, or school
• Drug-seeking behaviors
• Financial strain
• Lying and secretive behavior

Fentanyl addiction treatment is highly personalized. Depending on your needs, the treatment options may include:

• Medical detox: Withdrawal from fentanyl can be intense. Medical detox with monitoring from a medical team is recommended to keep you safe and as comfortable as possible hile the drug clears your system. This also reduces the risk of relapse.
• Inpatient rehabilitation: Inpatient involves staying at a residential facility with 24/7 care, support, and supervision for people who need intensive care.
• Outpatient rehabilitation: Outpatient programs offers flexibility without compromising therapeutic support. You can live at home and attend scheduled therapy sessions that work with your schedule.
• Aftercare: Once rehab is complete, aftercare is available for ongoing counseling or support as you transition back to daily life.

Along with traditional therapies like talk therapy and group counseling, fentanyl addiction treatment may include medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like methadone, a long-acting opioid agonist that helps to control cravings, and buprenorphine, an opioid partial agonist that activates the opioid receptors in the brain to reduce dependency.

These medications are often combined with other therapies like:

• individual therapy
• One-on-one psychiatric care
• Group therapy
• Experiential therapy
• Family counseling
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Surf therapy
• Somatic experience
• Nutritional counseling

According to the National institute on Drug Abuse, over 7.7 million Americans suffer from co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. Because they occur simultaneously, co-occurring disorders must be treated holistically.[5]