Today, the United States is living through an opioid crisis. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used in hospitals and sold illegally on the street, is a leading cause of opioid overdose and death across the country. This potent drug is considerably stronger than heroin, OxyContin, and morphine, making it dangerous and hard to stop taking without addiction treatment.

If you or someone you love is struggling with fentanyl use and other opioids, you are not alone. At Santé Center for Healing, we provide clients with a comprehensive dual diagnosis for mental health and addiction recovery. Call us now at 866.238.3154 to learn more about the benefits of trauma-informed fentanyl addiction treatment.

What Is Fentanyl and Why Is it Dangerous?

Fentanyl was developed from the opium poppy. While opium has been used for centuries medicinally and recreationally, synthetic opioids are stronger and more lethal than opium. Like other opioids, fentanyl blocks pain receptors in the brain and creates a feeling of euphoria. Commonly used for chronic pain, post-surgery, and self-medicating for emotional and psychological pain, fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine. This makes fentanyl very easy to abuse and overdose on. Unfortunately, other drugs are frequently laced with fentanyl, making them dangerous. Fentanyl can cause:

Drowsiness
Changes in vision
Depression
Shaking
Chest pain
Swelling of the extremities
Anxiety
Changes in heartbeat
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Dizziness
Seizures
Itching
Hallucinations
Confusion

When fentanyl enters the bloodstream, it slows down the body, releases the pleasure chemical dopamine, and numbs the pain. Any dose of fentanyl can lead to cardiac arrest, slow breathing, coma, and death.

Fentanyl Addiction Help for Effective Recovery

The more often people take opioids, the more opioids they will need for the same level of pain relief and euphoria. Fentanyl is easy to abuse because opioids change the brain. While opioids are powerful pain relievers, it’s easy to develop a tolerance. For some, this can lead to combining drugs, crushing tablets, and often overdosing. Unfortunately, it’s increasingly common for other drugs to be laced with lethal doses of fentanyl, leading to many drug-related deaths.

Admitting the need for fentanyl addiction can be difficult. However, keep in mind that fentanyl addiction treatment is the safest, most effective way to stop using fentanyl, avoid relapse, and prevent overdose-related death. Most treatment programs will use medical detox and dual diagnosis to ease withdrawal symptoms and help people get back on track right away. Dual diagnosis provides mental health assessment and treatment alongside addiction therapy. Studies show that at least half of people living with addiction to drugs like fentanyl also live with co-occurring mood disorders or unprocessed trauma. A residential or outpatient treatment program can help.

Begin Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Texas Today

If you need immediate medical attention for a fentanyl overdose, call 911. Do not stop using fentanyl cold turkey. People in Texas and across the US are affected by fentanyl use every day. If you or someone in your life is using fentanyl, we can help. With both inpatient and outpatient fentanyl addiction programs for men and women, the Santé Center for Healing helps clients navigate mental health and addiction recovery. Our programs include:

Clinical assessment
Detox
Residential treatment
IOP
Transitional living
Men’s rehab
Women’s rehab
Relapse prevention planning
Alumni support

With more than 25 years of experience in mental health and addiction recovery, the Santé Center for Healing can help. We provide individual, group, and family therapy, 12-step programs, and alumni programs, which means that we can help you at every stage of fentanyl addiction recovery.

Learn More About Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Today

If you’re ready to start addiction treatment for fentanyl and other opioids, call the Santé Center for Healing now 866.238.3154 to speak with our staff and get started today.