When someone we care about experiences an overdose, the first instinct may be to look for substance abuse treatment options. But in some cases — particularly when they involve opioids, such as a fentanyl overdose — an overdose needs acute medical attention that may not be provided by admittance into addiction treatment programs.
Fentanyl is up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Therefore, it’s recommended that detoxing from it — either during an overdose situation or before getting admitted into formal addiction treatment, sometimes both at the same time — should be done only with medical supervision.
Clients may then transition into addiction treatment programs after receiving medical treatment to deal with an overdose. Searching for fentanyl addiction treatment near Austin, TX? Reach out to Santé Center for Healing today by calling 866.238.3154 or contacting our team online.
What Are the Symptoms of a Fentanyl Overdose?
Someone overdosing on fentanyl may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Changes in pupillary size
- Cold and clammy skin
- Cyanosis, or blue-colored lips and fingernails
- Decreased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness or slipping into a coma
- Limp body
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
- Reduced or loss of consciousness
- Slowed or stopped breathing
Look for the opioid overdose triad of symptoms — pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and a decreased level of consciousness — if you’re in a hurry to assess the situation. These three symptoms are strongly suggestive of a fentanyl overdose and are observable during the rapid speed of the onset of the medical emergency.
What Is the Typical Treatment for Fentanyl Overdose?
Leave the typical treatment for fentanyl overdose to the medical professionals. It’s the best possible course of action, given the situation. If you come across an overdose case, the most important thing for you to do is to call 911 or rush the person overdosing to the nearest ER.
Medical personnel will likely administer naloxone if they suspect fentanyl is involved — so if you’re sure that the person overdosing was using fentanyl, tell them right away. When administered immediately, this drug can reverse many of the harmful symptoms of a fentanyl overdose.
Once someone has recovered from a fentanyl overdose, they must seek immediate professional help to address their fentanyl addiction.
What Can Clients Expect From a Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Program?
When a brain is addicted to fentanyl or another opioid, breaking the addiction can be an unpleasant and difficult task. However, it is entirely possible to overcome a fentanyl addiction. Treatment for this type of addiction includes components such as:
- Admission: The first stage of any addiction treatment program is assessment. Clients may need to undergo an intake interview, as well as several medical tests. They may be asked to bring documents relating to their medical history, too. Addiction is not the same for everyone, nor is addiction treatment. Details from the assessment process will inform each client’s customized addiction treatment program.
- Detoxification: A client will need to detox before receiving any other form of addiction treatment. Fentanyl withdrawal can be very discomforting and painful. Therefore, many clients will be offered medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to reduce the uneasiness they feel and stabilize their medical condition.
- Transitioning into a residential program, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), or an intensive outpatient program (IOP): Once the body is cleansed of the toxins and stabilized, a client is transitioned out of the detox process and starts receiving other forms of addiction treatment, usually in the form of behavioral therapy in various settings.
Ready To Learn More About Santé Center for Healing’s Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Program?
If you’re looking for fentanyl addiction treatment near Austin, TX, contact Santé Center for Healing today. Reach out to our team online or call 866.238.3154.