Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Options in San Antonio, TX
Fentanyl is an opioid drug similar to morphine. However, fentanyl is much stronger–up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Doctors generally prescribe fentanyl to help their patients manage severe pain. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies fentanyl as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
While fentanyl is typically a prescription medication used in medical settings, people also manufacture and sell it illegally. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl on US streets has contributed to the opioid epidemic we’re facing–and many deaths from opioid overdose.
In this article, we’ll explore fentanyl abuse and addiction and how to seek treatment when you need it. Reach out to the admissions team at Flourishing Foundations to learn more about our comprehensive addiction treatment programs.
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What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug derived from certain forms of the opium poppy plant. Doctors typically prescribe fentanyl for patients struggling with extreme pain after surgery, during treatment for cancer, and other medical conditions. Fentanyl may also be used for patients who have built up tolerance to other opioid drugs.
Fentanyl is available in several forms, including:
- Pills
- Liquid
- Patches
Illegally-produced fentanyl is most often sold in pill or powder form. It is cheap to make and has no smell or taste. Drug dealers may add illegally produced fentanyl to other drugs like cocaine to increase their profits–but this is a highly dangerous practice that puts people at greater risk of complications and deadly overdose.
Fentanyl binds to receptors in the brain in specific areas related to pain control and emotions. This potent drug mimics the effects of endorphins, which are naturally occurring chemicals that reduce pain and stress. People may release endorphins when they engage in pleasurable activities like sex, laughing, or experiencing beauty or joy in some way. Fentanyl and endorphins act in the brain in a way that promotes a feeling of pleasure and reward.
One of the other effects of fentanyl is euphoria. People who take it may feel a rush of warmth, contentment, bliss, or general well-being. These euphoric feelings can be intensely rewarding and make people want to use fentanyl outside its intended purpose.
Understanding How Fentanyl Addiction Occurs
People who take opioids–as a prescription or recreationally–may develop tolerance to them. Tolerance occurs when a person’s body becomes accustomed to the presence of a drug and requires higher or more frequent doses to get the desired effects. People who develop tolerance to opioids may turn to more potent drugs, like fentanyl, to get the effects they want.
Opioid addiction and overdose is a crisis in the United States. According to the CDC, more than 150 people lose their lives each day to an overdose of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. It’s essential to understand the effects of this drug, be aware of the signs of fentanyl addiction, and seek treatment for addiction as quickly as possible.
Recognizing Fentanyl Addiction Signs
No one chooses to live with fentanyl addiction. It is a complex condition with roots in a person’s genetics, behaviors, and emotions. Comprehensive treatment can help people stop using fentanyl safely and learn the skills they need to avoid relapse in the future.
Recognizing signs of fentanyl addiction is the first step in getting the treatment you need to recover. Some of the most common symptoms of fentanyl addiction include:
- Using opioids for longer than prescribed
- Taking higher or more frequent doses of opioid medications than prescribed
- Using fentanyl without a prescription
- Having more than one prescription for fentanyl from multiple doctors
- Engaging in risky or illegal activities to get more fentanyl
- Spending a lot of time, energy, and money getting, using, and recovering from using fentanyl
- Having cravings for fentanyl if you stop or cut back
- Being unable to keep up with your responsibilities at home, work, or school because of your opioid use
- Isolating yourself from friends and family
- Engaging in risky behaviors while using fentanyl or other opioids
- Building tolerance to opioid drugs
- Continuing to use fentanyl despite it causing emotional, social, and physical harm
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking fentanyl
If you or someone you love exhibits two or more of these symptoms, you must seek treatment for fentanyl addiction as soon as possible.
Fentanyl Withdrawal: Symptoms and Management
Regular or heavy opioid use can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Changes in the brain that occur with repeated opioid use can make it very challenging to stop using these drugs when you want to.
People who stop using fentanyl may experience withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Goosebumps
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings
Fentanyl withdrawal can be so uncomfortable that many people relapse before detox is complete. It’s important to seek professional treatment and medical support during detox to ensure you can stop using opioids safely and completely.
What is Tranq?
Tranq, as this combination of drugs are referred to on the streets, is an animal tranquilizer that has been increasingly found in illicit drugs like fentanyl. This combination poses severe risks to individuals consuming these substances, leading to heightened dangers and health complications.
Dangers of Tranq-laced Drugs:
- Increased Potency: Mixing xylazine with fentanyl amplifies the drug’s potency, resulting in unpredictable effects that can be detrimental to one’s health.
Health Complications: Consumption of xylazine-laced drugs may lead to serious health issues, including wounds that could result in amputation, blackouts, and other life-threatening conditions. - Overdose Challenges: Xylazine presents challenges for standard opioid overdose reversal treatments, making it crucial to avoid consumption of such substances to prevent fatal outcomes.
- Open Wounds: Individuals injecting the drug intravenously often experience significant tissue damage, resulting in open wounds and infections.
Seeking Tranq Treatment: Act Before It’s Too Late
Recognizing the risks associated with Tranq-laced drugs and understanding the potential consequences of addiction is the first step towards seeking help. It’s essential to prioritize your well-being and take action before it’s too late.
Importance of Prompt Treatment:
- Early Intervention: Addressing addiction issues early can prevent further escalation of health concerns and improve the chances of successful recovery.
- Tailored Care: Treatment programs at Flourishing Foundations Recovery offer personalized care, including therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to address underlying issues and promote lasting recovery.
- Professional Support: Seeking professional treatment ensures access to medical support during detox, managing withdrawal symptoms, and providing guidance on the path to sobriety.
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in San Antonio, TX
Fentanyl addiction is a serious problem today because this drug is extremely strong and can harm people and their families. But there is a way out. Fentanyl addiction treatment is here to help individuals get back their lives, and it does this by focusing on you as an individual.
At Flourishing Foundations Recovery, our San Antonio fentanyl addiction treatment program is customized to fit you. Everyone’s addiction story is different, and your treatment should match your unique needs and situations. This special care makes sure you get the right support and help that suits you best.
Fentanyl addiction treatment comes in different stages, like:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): If you need a lot of help but don’t have to stay at the treatment center all the time, this program gives you support during the day and lets you go home at night.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): If you’re making progress but still need help, IOP gives you a way to balance your treatment with your daily life.
- Outpatient (OP): After you’ve finished the higher-level programs, outpatient care helps you keep going strong while you get back to your regular routine.
Fentanyl addiction treatment uses evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and trauma therapy. These therapies help you understand why you got addicted, teach you how to cope, and get you ready to live without drugs. Before you leave rehab, our team of dedicated addiction professionals will help you create an aftercare plan that meets your needs.
To learn more about our fentanyl addiction treatment programs in San Antonio or to get answers to any questions you may have, please contact our team at Flourishing Foundations Recovery today.
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