Understanding Fentanyl

A synthetic pharmaceutical drug, Fentanyl is an Opioid Painkiller more than 50 to 100 times stronger than Morphine. It is used to relieve severe pain, such as after surgery or during cancer treatment, and breakthrough pain (flare-ups of intense pain despite round-the-clock Narcotic treatment).

Fentanyl can take many forms to meet the patient’s needs.

Some brand names and forms for Fentanyl include:

  • Actiq

    This form of Fentanyl comes as a lozenge on a plastic stick administered under the tongue like a lollipop. It is used for patients already on pain-relieving medications and has some military applications.

  • Duragesic

    The Fentanyl patch was introduced in the 1990s. It is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, and its effects can last for up to 3 days.

  • Sublimaze

    Generally administered in hospitals, sometimes alongside Anesthetics, Sublimaze is the injectable form of Fentanyl. It is used to manage pain before and after surgeries.

  • Subsys

    Subsys is a sublingual spray administered under a patient’s tongue to deliver immediate pain relief. Its purpose is to treat breakthrough cancer pain.

  • Abstral

    Also used for Opioid-tolerant patients with breakthrough cancer pain, Abstral is the quick-dissolve tablet version of Fentanyl and is placed under the tongue for immediate relief.

  • Lazanda

    Lazanda is a Fentanyl nasal spray administered in the same manner as a common nasal decongestant spray. It is predominantly used to treat pain in cancer patients.

Fentanyl works by blocking pain receptors in the brain and increasing production of the happiness-inducing chemical dopamine. Street names for Fentanyl include Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, TNT, and Crush.

If you or someone you care about is abusing Fentanyl, seek immediate help.

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Fentanyl Abuse And Effects

Like other potent OPRs, Fentanyl harbors massive risk for addiction and abuse regardless of its prescription form.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has warned that a Fentanyl epidemic could develop because of the substance’s immense potency and addictive potential.

Those ingesting Fentanyl at unprescribed levels experience an intense euphoria and sense of relaxation similar to a Heroin “high.”

Outward symptoms of Fentanyl abuse might include:

  • Slowed breathing
  • Seizures
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Itching
  • Euphoria
  • Mellowness
  • Drowsiness

Fentanyl abuse is especially dangerous to those without a tolerance to Opioids. The substance’s already-elevated risk of overdose is multiplied when someone without a tolerance abuses it.

Abuse of Fentanyl can depress the respiratory system to the point of failure, leading to fatal overdose.

Mixing Fentanyl with illicit Narcotics like Heroin or Stimulants like Cocaine amplifies the drug’s damaging side effects. Whether taken as prescribed or abused recreationally, Fentanyl is a volatile and potentially lethal drug.

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Signs Of A Fentanyl Addiction

Since many patients don’t believe OPRs like Fentanyl harbor significant addictive potential like Heroin or other street drugs, Fentanyl has a higher likelihood for accidental and intentional abuse.

Fentanyl impacts the Central Nervous System (CNS) to a significant degree, causing excess amounts of dopamine to flood and chemically alter the brain over time. Due to these neurochemical changes, someone prescribed Fentanyl might become dependent on the drug and turn to illegal methods of getting it after exhausting their prescribed amount.

Once someone develops a tolerance to Fentanyl’s narcotic properties, he or she will depend on it to feel “normal,” requiring more of the drug to reach the previous sensations.

OPRs like Fentanyl can escalate from abuse to full-blown addiction rapidly. Thanks to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ criteria for diagnosing substance use disorder, healthcare professionals can pinpoint problematic behavior like building a tolerance or suffering withdrawal symptoms.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

Although rarely life-threatening, cutting out Fentanyl “cold turkey” can be a miserable process. Those shouldering a Fentanyl addiction will likely experience painful withdrawals if they cease taking the drug or reduce their dose. Specialized treatment centers offer inpatient and outpatient resources to help those addicted quit Fentanyl.

Featured Centers Offering Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl withdrawal varies in severity depending a number of factors, such as level of use and chosen form of the substance. Withdrawal symptoms range from marked irritability and chills to sweating and restlessness.

Despite the typically non-lethal nature of Fentanyl withdrawal, users are still vulnerable to potential relapse. Professional medical supervision during detoxification can ease the cleansing process and curb the odds of relapse.

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Find Help

A Fentanyl addiction can be arduous to overcome, but despite the difficulties, winning this struggle is possible. Support groups exist in communities across the country to lend a helping hand or ear. Contact a treatment provider today.

Published:

Author

Jeffrey Juergens

Photo of Jeffrey Juergens
  • Jeffrey Juergens earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Jeffrey’s desire to help others led him to focus on economic and social development and policy making. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. Jeffrey’s mission is to educate and inform the public on addiction issues and help those in need of treatment find the best option for them.

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Reviewed by Certified Addiction Professional:

Theresa Parisi

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  • Theresa Parisi is a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP), Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager (CBHCM), and International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC) with over 12 years of experience in the addiction treatment field.

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