Fentanyl is an opioid pain reliever of tremendous potency. This strength may be necessary for specific medical situations. However, it also makes fentanyl a high-level overdose risk. In addition, the medication’s potency makes it a clear potential source of opioid addiction. If you’re addicted to fentanyl, seek help from trained professionals as soon as possible. Effective fentanyl addiction treatment will not only help you return to sobriety. It will also safeguard you from the dangers of a fentanyl overdose.
Reach out to Women’s Recovery to learn more about opioid addiction treatment at 833.754.0554.
Fentanyl Overdose Signs
An overdose is possible whether or not you are affected by fentanyl addiction. As with all opioids, problems begin when the medication overwhelms your central nervous system. When this crucial control network no longer functions as intended, you may experience or observe fentanyl overdose signs such as:
- Extremely narrowed pupils
- Weakened or slowed breathing
- Completely absent breathing
- Gurgling or choking noises
- An inability to stay conscious
- Limp muscles
- Skin that’s cold or clammy to the touch
- Bluish skin in your lips or under your fingernails
Even a relatively small dose of fentanyl can trigger an overdose. Unfortunately, you might not always know when you have taken this drug. That’s true because it’s sometimes added to illegal drugs sold under other names.
Fentanyl Detox and Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Effective fentanyl addiction treatment begins with medical detox. Fentanyl detox supports you while you stop taking the medication. This is necessary because, as a rule, affected people will go through withdrawal when fentanyl use ends. Possible fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Watery eyes
- A runny nose
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unusual mood swings
- Feelings of anxiety or irritability
- Sleeping difficulties
- Cramping or achy muscles
- Painful joints
- Goosebumps
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Twitching or trembling muscles
One of the goals of medical detox is preventing severe fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. This is typically done by providing you with a weaker, temporary substitute opioid. You take less and less of this replacement opioid until you reach a state of complete sobriety.
Fentanyl detox also has other goals. First, it provides you with basic medical support and oversight. In addition, it serves as a stepping stone for follow-up enrollment in active fentanyl addiction treatment.
Active Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
Active fentanyl addiction treatment builds on the successes of medical detox. It helps you stay sober in the short-term aftermath of detox completion. It’s also crucial to helping you establish durable, long-term sobriety.
The combined use of medication and psychotherapy is the norm in opioid treatment. Medication helps make fentanyl use less appealing. In this way, it also helps you avoid a relapse.
Therapy helps you address the deeper roots of addiction. It also enables you to recognize how addiction affects you. In addition, therapy gives you the ability to steer clear of future problems.
Women addicted to fentanyl often have unique risk factors. For this reason, women-centered addiction treatment can be essential. Unless you receive this targeted help, you may have difficulty getting sober. You may also find it more challenging to stay sober over time.
Seek Women-Focused Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Women’s Recovery
At Women’s Recovery, we’re dedicated to helping women affected by addiction. We understand women’s unique needs. In addition, we specialize in programs that meet those needs.
Are you or your loved one addicted to fentanyl? Call us today at 833.754.0554 or fill out our online form. We’ll help you create a recovery plan for your specific situation. We’ll also help you fulfill that plan with customized care options. Those options include primary addiction treatment. They also include secondary treatments that support your overall return to well-being.