Fentanyl

What is fentanyl addiction?
The effects of fentanyl
Treating fentanyl addiction
Detox

What is fentanyl addiction?

Fentanyl is an opiate painkiller used to treat severe pain. It’s normally prescribed if you’ve taken another opioid painkiller in the past that no longer works and you’ve built up tolerance towards it.

Fentanyl is similar to Morphine but can be 50 – 100 times more potent. Fentanyl comes in different forms which can include: Tablet, patch, spray, lozenge or injection.

The effects of fentanyl

After taking opioids for a long period of time, the brain will adapt to the drug, which then your body will build up a tolerance towards it, making it hard to feel pleasure from anything but the drug.

If your loved one is using Fentanyl it can make them feel happy, sleepy, relaxed and also give them a sense of euphoria, but it can also come with some physical and mental effects.

  • Feeling drowsy
  • Sedated
  • Unconsciousness
  • Constipation
  • Venlafaxine
  • Nausea

Using Fentanyl is likely to make you feel drowsy and confused. Many people may look like they’re falling asleep or look ‘out of it’. An overdose can occur when using Fentanyl and could produce life threatening effects and symptoms. If you overdose on fentanyl, your breathing can slow or stop.

Treating fentanyl addiction

We recognise the severity of the issue when it comes to fentanyl addiction, which is why we have our detox and therapy programmes to help the needs of each individual every step of the way. Our expert recovery team will help guide you whilst offering all the support your loved one needs to continue the journey to recovery.

Through counselling, regular exercise and a nutritious diet, our expert recovery team will get your loved one back to feeling 100% physically and mentally. Our program is designed to minimise the withdrawals you will experience and to provide you with all the tools for long-term sobriety.

At Steps Together, we realise fentanyl addiction does not just affect the user, but those who care about them too. With this in mind, we offer regular Family Workshops that are open to close friends and family of those undergoing addiction treatment.

These sessions are designed to provide you with the skills you need to help your loved ones after they have completed the rehabilitation programme, and will teach you how to encourage healthy choices after your loved one has left our facility.

Detox

If your loved one wants to stop using Fentanyl the good news is you’re in the right place. Our expert recovery team will help guide and support them each step of the way. Coming off Fentanyl is likely to cause some withdrawal symptoms which could make your loved one feel unwell.

The treatment we offer at Steps Together begins with a detox process, which allows the drug to leave your body.

During this period your loved one may experience withdrawal symptoms. Although these symptoms are not usually life-threatening, there may be some discomfort experienced during this time.

Everyone’s detox will vary, but our expert clinical team will help build your loved ones detox based on their current dose and circumstances.

  • Dizziness
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Muscle weakness
  • Shallow breathing
  • Constricted pupils
  • Confusion
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Unconsciousness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Blue tinge to lips and nails