Fentanyl Addiction in america
Fentanyl is a dangerous synthetic opioid drug used to treat chronic pain and acute pain after surgery. Because it’s 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, Fentanyl can be incredibly addictive, especially when abused, used recreationally, or not taken as directed. Prescription names for fentanyl include Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. However, it is the street supplies originating from China and other countries that continue to taint heroin and other popular street drugs. At the same time, fentanyl has been found in the most of counterfeit pills that are on the rise in America. As a direct result, people are dying in record numbers from the drug.
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, in 2021, the number of opioid-related (mostly fentanyl) overdose deaths increased from 70,000 to 80,000—making up the lion's share of the country’s record 107,000 overdose deaths."
Like heroin and other opioids, fentanyl attaches to opioid receptors in the brain. With prolonged use the brain adjusts to the drug, which makes it more difficult for the brain to produce its own neurotransmitters. Eventually, it becomes harder to feel pleasure without the drug. This leads to a vicious cycle of needing more fentanyl just to feel normal. In 2020, 1,734 South Carolinians died from a drug overdose, a number that has been growing for last eight years. Of those 1,734 overdose deaths, 1,400 were related to opioids and 1,100 involved fentanyl.
Signs of Fentanyl Addiction
It’s not always obvious when you or a loved one has become addicted to fentanyl, especially if you were prescribed the drug for pain. Signs can be physical and behavioral, and may include:
- Unmanageable cravings
- Sleepiness
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Frequent flu-like symptoms
- Poor hygiene
- Isolating from others
- Stealing and lying
- Fiscal problems
Fentanyl Withdrawal Side Effects
Stopping fentanyl use can produce unmanageable withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cold sweats
- Erratic sleep
- Restless legs
- Intense cravings
Because fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can be acute, many people find it challenging to stop taking it without help. The FDA has approved several medications to help ease opioid withdrawal symptoms, including methadone (a full opioid agonist), Suboxone and Buprenorphine (both partial opioid agonist), Naltrexone, which prevents opioid receptors from receiving the drug.
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Program in Hilton Head
BriteLife Recovery provides comprehensive treatment for fentanyl abuse and addiction. Our South Carolina fentanyl addiction treatment center offers a tranquil setting for healing and recovery to take root. Our clients begin with medically supervised detox, during which our care team provides round-the-clock care to help clients detox safely and comfortably. BriteLife adopts doctor-dispensed medication as an important element of our South Carolina addiction treatment program. We typically use buprenorphine products such as Suboxone and others to keep each client comfortable during the withdrawal period
After detox, most of our clients move into our Hilton Head residential program, which focuses on the behavioral aspects of addiction. The core of BriteLife’s fentanyl rehab programs is individualized and collaborative care. Our multidisciplinary team integrates evidence-based treatments with holistic therapies to get each client on the road to health, wellness and recovery. We will use all the tools at our disposal to help clients return to their communities as sober individuals.
If you or a loved one need help to overcome opioid use disorder, call us today at 866-470-2187 to find our more about our South Carolina fentanyl addiction treatment center.