A Closer Look at Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to one hundred times more powerful than morphine. Its use is in the treatment of severe chronic pain, usually associated with an advanced cancer diagnosis. Fentanyl in medical treatment is referred to as pharmaceutical fentanyl and is administered in the form of a patch applied to the skin. Conversely, illegal or “street” fentanyl is often a white powder similar in appearance to heroin and cocaine. People sell synthetic fentanyl on pieces of blotter paper and dissolved in eye droppers or nasal sprays that are less conspicuous to administer. Some common street names for fentanyl include apace, china girl, china white, dance fever, and poison.

Side Effects

Prolonged use of fentanyl will build up a tolerance against the drug and eventually lead to addiction. Some side effects of prolonged exposure to fentanyl include extreme euphoria, nausea, confusion, constipation, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness.

In addition to fentanyl’s high rates of addiction and overdose, there is another layer of danger. It’s been commonly reported that fentanyl is being mixed with heroin to increase potency. Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware the heroin they are purchasing contains fentanyl—which often leads to complications, overdose, and death.

There is no tip or trick to detecting whether a substance contains fentanyl either. Fentanyl has no taste, smell, or other identifying characteristics. Compounding this danger is the added concern of mixing fentanyl with other sedatives like alcohol or Xanax. The risk of overdose significantly increases when opioids and sedatives are in combination. With the heightened possibility of mixing these substances unknowingly, it’s easy to understand the high overdose statistics for fentanyl.

Briarwood Detox Center offers detox treatment for alcohol, opioid, methamphetamine, prescription drugs, and much more. Our experienced clinical staff provides round-the-clock monitoring throughout the detox process and our therapy team provides support to help manage the emotional response to treatment. Additionally, we have detox facilities located in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs with state-of-the-art amenities.

Briarwood is dedicated to facilitating a healthy and safe environment that empowers people to make significant and lasting changes in their lives. We look forward to supporting you or your loved one on the journey to recovery. Call (866) 710-7710 today for more information on our programs and admission process.

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