Rehab for Fentanyl Addiction

How we treat fentanyl addiction?

At HARP Private Rehab, we can help you overcome your fentanyl addiction, no matter how challenging that may feel. By adopting a uniquely holistic and pragmatic approach, our tailored treatment programmes are centred on providing a safe, expert-managed withdrawal from fentanyl and addressing any underlying root causes of your addiction.

What is fentanyl addiction?

Fentanyl is a narcotic opioid used as a painkiller that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. This powerful pain medication works by dissociating the user from the pain. Fentanyl is most commonly prescribed for severe pain caused by major surgery, cancer or nerve damage. There has been a sharp rise in fentanyl overdoses in recent years due to it being mixed into or sold as other drugs such as other prescription opioids of heroin. Due to strength, the risk of overdose when taking fentanyl is extremely high. Even a small dose of the drug can cause death. Fentanyl is also highly addictive. What often begins as a legitimate medical use of fentanyl can quickly spiral out of control as an individual’s tolerance can snowball.

Physical dependency occurs when an individual relies on fentanyl to an excessive degree. The body grows so accustomed to fentanyl that, in the absence of it, it thinks it is missing something vital. In response to this feeling, the individual experiences withdrawal symptoms. Psychological dependency occurs when we begin to rely on fentanyl to numb or dissociate ourselves from emotional pain such as stress, loneliness or trauma. Most individuals suffering from prescription medication addictions will have varying levels of both physical and psychological dependencies.

Over time, fentanyl abuse can wreak havoc on one’s health. It increases an individual’s risk of developing respiratory depression, liver and kidney damage, experiencing seizures and developing other mental health conditions or substance abuse issues.

Due to its addictive nature, it can be very challenging to detox from fentanyl without professional, structured support. Often, the only way to do this is to undergo a medical detox to manage the physical withdrawal symptoms and to work with mental health experts to manage the psychological withdrawal.

What are the signs?

Symptoms of a fentanyl dependency include:

• Wanting to cut down or stop using fentanyl but feeling unable to.
• Ingesting fentanyl even though your pain has subsided.
• Lying or exaggerating pain to get prescribed fentanyl.
• Taking fentanyl in response to stress, anxiety or boredom.
• Spending less time with family, friends or doing activities you once enjoyed.
• Going to different doctors or chemists in an attempt to get fentanyl.
• Needing ever larger doses to get the same pleasurable effects.
• Needing fentanyl to feel “normal”.

Additional symptoms include:

What are the physical symptoms of fentanyl addiction?

• Fatigue and drowsiness.
• Dizziness and problems with coordination.
• Itchiness.
• Nausea.
• Dilated pupils.
• Excessive sweating.
• Slurred speech.

What are the psychological symptoms of fentanyl addiction?

• Hallucinations, delusion and confusion.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Sleeping issues or insomnia.
• Struggling to focus or concentrate.
• Irritability.

What are the behavioural symptoms of fentanyl addiction?

• Frequent and unexplained absences from work, school, or social commitments.
• Neglect of responsibilities, relationships, or personal well-being.
• Being secretive about fentanyl use.
• Feeling as though fentanyl has taken over your life.
• If these signs sound familiar, we can help guide you toward recovery.