Recovery from Drug Abuse is Possible

Fentanyl abuse is rapidly becoming one of the leading causes of substance use disorders in the United States today. Fentanyl abuse can easily become fentanyl addiction, and people who develop opioid use disorder after using this potent synthetic opioid may need professional addiction treatment to recover.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl belongs to the class of drugs called synthetic opioids, which mimic the effects of natural opioids but are created in chemical laboratories.

How Strong is Fentanyl?

Compared to other prescription opioids, fentanyl is significantly more potent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is considered to be 50-100 times more potent than morphine.

How is Fentanyl Used?

In pharmaceutical use, fentanyl is prescribed to treat severe pain, such as pain resulting from late-stage cancer, surgery, or severe physical trauma.

But while fentanyl has some limited medical use for severe pain, the wave of fentanyl addiction comes from illegally manufactured fentanyl purchased overseas.

Drug dealers use fentanyl to make illicit drugs such as heroin or pressed pills more potent, or they may sell fentanyl directly.

Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl addiction closely parallels the effects of other substance use disorders. People who are living with fentanyl addiction may experience symptoms such as:

• Intense drug cravings
• Using more fentanyl than they intended or for longer than intended
• Multiple failed attempts to cut back on or quit fentanyl use
• Powerful withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop using fentanyl
• Loss of interest in favored hobbies or activities
• Continued fentanyl use despite mounting physical, social, or psychological problems

Above all else, the key symptom of fentanyl addiction is the continued use of the drug despite harmful consequences.

People often cannot break free from this substance use disorder without the help of targeted fentanyl addiction treatment.

Dangers of Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl addiction is associated with a host of long-term physical and mental health consequences. But by far, the biggest danger of fentanyl abuse is the extremely high potential for overdose deaths, addiction, and severe withdrawal.

Fentanyl Overdose

Fentanyl has been responsible for a massive increase in overdose deaths. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl were involved in more than 56,000 drug overdoses in a recent year, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fentanyl Withdrawal

Like other opioids, fentanyl is associated with a severe set of physical withdrawal symptoms. People experiencing fentanyl withdrawal may experience symptoms such as:

• Restlessness
• Sweats
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

The symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal look like other opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, they are often much more severe and last for a longer period.

Fentanyl is much more potent than other commonly abused opioids. That is why addiction treatment for substance abuse is essential to recovery.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Options

Fentanyl abuse has incredibly powerful effects. People experiencing fentanyl addiction may need to enter a fentanyl addiction treatment center in order to recover.

At Harmony Healing Center, we’ve designed all of our substance abuse treatment programs to provide targeted support for anyone who needs help achieving sobriety.

Medical Detox

Fentanyl addiction treatment must start with an intensive medical detox. At our premier medical detoxification center, our clients receive 24/7 medical monitoring, compassionate support, and the best behavioral therapies.

Medication to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms

Opioid withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable but can be alleviated with medical interventions.

Prescription drugs used in our medical detox center can alleviate painful withdrawal symptoms and help people make it through the first stage of drug addiction recovery.

Above all, our medical detox program helps people stay safe, comfortable, and secure during this difficult initial phase of recovery.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

While detox can help people overcome the initial effects of withdrawal, it isn’t enough to produce long-term recovery. Detox must be followed by targeted fentanyl addiction treatment in order for people to maintain their sobriety for years to come.

With medication-assisted treatment, clients suffering from fentanyl addiction continue to receive pharmaceutical treatments while beginning addiction therapy.

The combination of supportive medications and evidence-based therapies is the gold standard of addiction care and produces the best chances for achieving and maintaining abstinence.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

For those looking for the most intense form of outpatient care, Harmony Healing Center’s partial hospitalization program (PHP) is here to provide the best evidence-based care.

Partial hospitalization programs can be thought of as full-time jobs. Clients attend treatment several days a week for several hours at a time.

PHP Treatments

Our team uses a variety of treatment modalities to help clients learn skills and gain insight. The treatments we use include:

• Individual therapy
• Medication management
• Relapse prevention programs
• Group therapy
• Educational groups and opportunities

Our partial hospitalization program is our most intensive addiction treatment option for fentanyl abuse.

Benefits of Partial Hospitalization Programs

A PHP is well suited for people who want to focus on getting the best treatment in a short period of time. Clients are able to dedicate their attention to recovery and practice their new skills when they return home each day.

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a step down from a PHP. It offers the same treatments and services in a less intensive format. During their time in our IOP, clients come to our fentanyl addiction treatment center a few days a week for a few hours at a time.

Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Programs

Clients in IOPs are still able to access the best evidence-based treatments and therapies but are able to live more independently.

IOPs are well suited to those who have less need for intensive treatment but still need ongoing therapies and accountability in order to succeed.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

The outpatient treatment program at Harmony Healing Center is our least demanding treatment program. This level of care is a great way to step toward more independent living with ongoing accountability and support.

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment Programs

Clients still receive therapy, medication management, and 24/7 crisis support. This treatment option offers more flexibility than our other programs because clients only attend the treatment center for a few hours a week.

Start Your Recovery at Harmony Healing Center

To get started at Harmony Healing Center, reach out to our team by filling out our confidential online form. Anyone can break free from fentanyl addiction, and the addiction experts at Harmony Healing Center are here to help you along the way.