In recent years, the drug fentanyl has been a hot-button topic in the news and not for a good reason. While fentanyl is used in medical settings as a pain reliever, misuse and abuse of fentanyl have become a leading cause of death among illicit drug users in recent years. Within the last year, many individuals of all ages have lost their lives to unintentional fentanyl overdose by taking drugs “laced” with fentanyl. Many more, including well-known celebrities, have died by overdosing on fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic (artificial) opioid analgesic that functions similarly to morphine. Unfortunately, fentanyl is up to one hundred times more potent than morphine and, therefore, extremely dangerous when abused or misused. For many, fentanyl addiction is quick to develop and must be treated similarly to opioid addiction.
How to Get Off Fentanyl
If you or a loved one struggles with a fentanyl addiction, it is crucial to seek addiction treatment immediately. Fentanyl is a highly addictive substance. Regular use of fentanyl, either legally or otherwise, can quickly lead to dependence and tolerance. When someone is dependent on the effects of fentanyl, and they stop using, painful and unpleasant side effects often develop. The most common withdrawal side effects include anxiety, agitation, body aches, difficulty sleeping, sweating, gastric disturbances, nausea, and vomiting. Other, more severe symptoms can include delirium tremens (DTs), irregular respirations, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
The more severe symptoms related to opioid withdrawal make a medically assisted detox (MAT) program the best way to get off fentanyl. Detoxing from fentanyl in a safe and supported environment like Relevance Recovery is crucial to your health, safety, and overall treatment success. Many who struggle with opioid addiction and choose to withdraw “cold turkey” often fail, and relapse results as withdrawal symptoms become overwhelming and too difficult to manage. In a MAT setting, trained medical providers are available to support your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs through the detox process.
Find a Treatment Center
Across the United States, there are thousands of addiction treatment centers providing comprehensive addiction treatment options. While all treatment programs strive to provide the highest possible level of care designed to help you achieve sobriety in a safe and supported environment, not all are equipped to provide equivalent treatment options. If your specific treatment needs include medically assisted detox, it is crucial to ensure the program you choose offers such services. When detoxing from fentanyl (or other opioids), a MAT program is essential to ensuring you are able to detox in a safe and supported environment.
Participate in a MAT Program
If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction to fentanyl, participation in a MAT program is crucial to your treatment success. Deciding to enter rehab is a challenging but, in many cases, life-saving decision. If you are ready to begin your treatment journey but are unsure where to start, reach out to our Freehold, New Jersey admission team today. Not all treatment centers treat the same conditions. Therefore, it is critical to find one like Relevance Recovery that provides detox and treatment services specific to fentanyl (and other opioids) addiction.
Our caring and compassionate treatment staff will work with you to create an individually designed treatment plan that considers your physical and psychological treatment needs and goals. Beginning with medically assisted detox and continuing through a thorough aftercare plan, the team at Relevance Recovery strives to ensure all aspects of your treatment occur in the safest and most supported environment available. If you are ready to get off fentanyl, reach out to the admissions team at Relevance Recovery today to learn more about how our MAT program can help you achieve your recovery goals.
