Is Fentanyl Addictive?
Fentanyl is among the most addictive of drugs, due to two of its pharmacological properties: its ultra-high potency and its rapid clearance from the body. These properties make it lucrative for dealers to put fentanyl into their drug products. It gets people addicted faster, and it creates repeat customers who seek their drug’s potency.
How long does it take to get addicted to fentanyl? Fentanyl addiction can develop after a single use, particularly in those individuals who are predisposed to addiction by their genetics and life situation. Even without these predispositions, a single use can cause someone to seek out more of the drug after they feel fentanyl’s powerful withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms may include intense sweating, muscle aches, shaking and chills. Things to look for when uncovering fentanyl abuse and addiction include:
- Signs of Fentanyl Addiction
Physical Signs:
Injection track marks on the body (not just the arms)
Poor dental health
Poor hygiene
Excessive weight loss
Confusion, euphoria, detachment from reality, loss of consciousness (when “high”)
Small pupils in the eyes
Behavioral Signs:
Drug-seeking behavior, potentially criminal
Intense cravings
Depression, anxiety and other mental health symptoms or disorders
Irritability
Social isolation
Negative feelings: guilt, anger, resentment, self-pity, low self-esteem, regret, self-loathing and remorse
Another concern of fentanyl addiction is the risk of overdose. According to the CDC, fentanyl is now the leading opioid associated with overdose, with 29% of overdoses involving fentanyl alone. This has made fentanyl an even more dangerous drug than that of heroin and oxycodone which previously were the substances bringing in the most overdose deaths.
At The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health, we believe that long-lasting sobriety begins with a full continuum of care. That means our drug treatment programs are comprehensive and progressive, with each stage of treatment building on the others for a holistic and comprehensive approach to recovery.
Whether you are seeking rehab for drug addiction alone or in conjunction with a mental health disorder, The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health can help. Contact us today for a confidential discussion with one of our representatives.
- Sources
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Drug and opioid-involved overdose deaths – United States – 2013-2017.” January 4, 2019. Accessed July 16, 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Synthetic opioid overdose data.” December 19, 2018. Accessed July 16, 2019.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Fentanyl.” (n.d.). Accessed July 16, 2019.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Fentanyl citrate injection, USP.” November 2012. Accessed July 16, 2019.
Ghelardini, Carla; Di Cesare Mannelli, Lorenzo; Bianchi, Enrica. “The pharmacological basis of opioids.” Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism, December 2015. Accessed July 16, 2019.
Goldman, Jacqueline; Waye, Katherine; Periera, Kobe; et al. “Perspectives on rapid fentanyl test strips as a harm reduction practice among young adults who use drugs: A qualitative study.” Harm Reduction Journal, January 8, 2019. Accessed July 16, 2019.
Mema, Silvina; Sage, Chloe; Popoff, Serge; et al. “Expanding harm reduction to include fentanyl urine testing: results from a pilot in rural British Columbia.” Harm Reduction Journal, April 6, 2018. Accessed July 16, 2019.
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Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.