Those who want to know how dangerous is fentanyl typically look for answers online. You can find accurate information in reports from agencies such as the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA). A NIDA report states that nearly 50 percent of opioid overdose deaths in 2016 involved fentanyl. That’s how dangerous fentanyl is. The statistics suggest there’s an urgent need for those with an addiction to the drug to detox. Afterward, they can receive fentanyl addiction treatment at a partial hospitalization program in Portland, OR, or another city of their choice.
How Dangerous Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an addictive man-made opioid that is stronger than heroin and 50-100 times more potent than morphine. There are also two versions of the drug; legally prescribed fentanyl used to treat patients with severe pain and illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF). Fentanyl should only be prescribed to people who are unlikely to recover from their condition and no longer need to maintain cognitive functioning in their daily lives.
Drugs like heroin and/or cocaine may be mixed with fentanyl and pressed into counterfeit pills. Many users are unaware that a drug bought on the street is laced with fentanyl. This can cause an accidental overdose and death, even from a small dose.
How Dangerous is Fentanyl When Used with Other Substances?
Fentanyl takes up a leading position in the US opioid crisis and overdose deaths. Read any article titled, “Is Fentanyl Deadly?“ and you’ll likely find out that the drug can cause death by itself or when taken with other substances.
Both prescription and illicitly-made fentanyl are addictive and pose a danger to health or life when misused, abused, or taken with other addictive substances. Dangerous practices include destroying the tablets or capsules to make a solution to inject into a vein. Smoking or snorting the table powder also constitutes misuse. Other persons mix the painkiller with cocaine or heroin or take it with alcohol (polysubstance use).
Fentanyl misuse or abuse increases its effects and the risk of overdose. In 2017 alone, there were more than 28,000 deaths in the US involving man-made opioids, including the drug in question.
How Dangerous Is Fentanyl Withdrawal?
Withdrawing on your own from opioids, such as fentanyl, without assistance may not be in your best interest. Although withdrawal symptoms are not typically life-threatening, the effects can lead to life-threatening complications. Potentially risky symptoms include persistent vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive sweating. Left untreated, the symptoms can lead to severe dehydration or seizures.
To avoid this, addiction treatment experts encourage individuals to withdraw within a medical setting. This means going to a certified detox clinic. The medical team there can guide you through the withdrawal process. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe IV fluid treatments for dehydration or medication for severe withdrawal symptoms.
Getting Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at a Trusted Rehab
Many people need a wake-up call when their family members are in need of opioid addiction treatment. If you live in Portland, OR, or the Pacific Northwest, you are welcome to consider treatment at Crestview Recovery. The following symptoms are common for a person who has developed a chemical dependency on fentanyl:
- Preoccupation with medication
- Slurred speech
- Sleeping during the day and insomnia at night
- Digestive issues
- Conflicts with family members
Get Control of Your Life at Crestview Recovery
Most people who become addicted to fentanyl need to attend an inpatient treatment center; however, after they have finished detox, a treatment center like Crestview Recovery can be an excellent next step. Treatment is delivered at a standard outpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization center. These centers provide care in a structured and compassionate setting to clients who do not need or already completed detox or inpatient care. However, they may still need behavioral therapy, medication management, or life skills to help them regain control of their lives. Here is a list of other therapies you can benefit from:
- Dual diagnosis therapy
- Individual therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
People addicted to drugs don’t always recognize they turn to drugs as a way to cope with mental health conditions. They include mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, or personality disorder. Dual diagnosis treatment gives you an opportunity to sit with a master-level therapist and address a disorder that co-occurs with drug abuse. You will also learn how to identify drug use triggers and healthy ways to cope. While recovery might seem impossible, finding the right environment can help you find a light at the end of the tunnel.
You Can Win the War Against Fentanyl Abuse
Crestview Recovery is located in Portland, OR, but also serves Seattle, Idaho, and Montana. The rehab facility is open to men and women ready to reclaim their lives. You can also benefit from the 90-day extended care program and rehab aftercare. Both are designed to ensure you have the tools to manage your addiction and remain sober. Please call 866.262.0531 to find out more.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
