Opioid use and addiction are common across the United States and here in New Hampshire. While OxyContin and heroin are still part of the opioid epidemic, fentanyl is now the most popular and dangerous opioid. A synthetic opioid used medicinally and available on the black market, fentanyl is highly addictive and dangerous. Like other opioids, it can be impossible to stop using fentanyl without professional support. Fentanyl addiction treatment is the safest, most effective way to prevent opioid-related death and safely recover.
If you or someone you love is struggling with the side effects of fentanyl, our team can help. A Better State provides holistic outpatient programs for accessible addiction treatment in New Hampshire. With daytime and evening partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), we can help you prevent fentanyl overdose without compromising your schedule. Call us now at 781.412.1488 to learn more about what fentanyl is and how to start treatment.
What Is Fentanyl Made from?
Opioids are synthetic forms of opiates that come from the opium poppy. Opium is a natural drug used for centuries for pain relief and euphoric experiences. Synthetic opioids cause the brain to respond similarly to opiates. However, they are much strong. Fentanyl is made in medical-grade and illicit labs. Synthetic opioids are more dangerous and addictive than opiates.
While using fentanyl, someone may experience the following:
- Shaking
- Chest pain
- Swelling of the extremities
- Anxiety
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Itching
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Changes in heartbeat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Drowsiness
- Changes in vision
- Depression
- Night terrors
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
When taken with other drugs or alcohol, fentanyl will have a more substantial effect. Frequently prescribed for chronic pain or surgery, opioid addiction can develop quickly. For many, fentanyl becomes a way to self-medicate for emotional and psychological pain. The numbness and euphoria can allow someone to escape reality. Unfortunately, like other opioids, it’s easy to build a fentanyl tolerance quickly. This means that the more fentanyl someone takes, the more they will need for the same effect.
Understanding Fentanyl Drug Addiction
Fentanyl is highly addictive and dangerous. It is 100 times stronger than hospital-grade morphine and releases unnaturally high amounts of dopamine in the brain. This causes a dopamine “reward effect.” This often leads the brain to crave more dopamine and more fentanyl.
While this is the brain’s natural response to dopamine, it can be much worse for those with co-occurring disorders. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD can cause someone to struggle with natural dopamine production. When untreated, co-occurring conditions make addiction more likely. When the brain relies on opioids for chemical processing, someone will experience withdrawal when drugs leave their system.
A person with an opioid addiction to prescription Vicodin and OxyContin may turn to street fentanyl to lessen withdrawal symptoms. Today, the FDA regulates prescription fentanyl. However, street fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs like methamphetamines at lethal doses.
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in New Hampshire
Fentanyl is increasingly easy to get and deadly. Unfortunately, the entire country is affected by fentanyl addiction and opioid-related death daily. If you or someone you love struggles with fentanyl or other opioids, know you are not alone. Our team is here to help.
A Better State provides a different kind of addiction treatment. Our trauma-informed treatment center helps clients uncover the root causes of addiction and substance use for holistic healing.
We provide daytime and evening outpatient programs for:
- Anxiety treatment
- Depression treatment
- PTSD treatment
- Cocaine treatment
- Meth treatment
- Opioid and opiate treatment
- Benzo treatment
- Prescription drug treatment
With individual, group, and family therapy, our treatment center focuses on evidence-based and alternative therapies. From trauma-informed therapy to trauma therapy, we’re here to help.
Learn More About Fentanyl Drug Addiction and Treatment at A Better State
What is fentanyl? This drug is a powerful synthetic opioid made from opium. It can be very dangerous and addictive. Fentanyl addiction treatment is the most effective way to prevent opioid-related death and safely recover. At A Better State, we provide holistic outpatient programs for accessible addiction treatment in New Hampshire.
Our team can help with fentanyl, other opioids, cocaine, methamphetamines, benzos, and more. Contact us at 781.412.1488 to learn more about holistic outpatient addiction treatment options and start recovery today.
