Time is of the essence when you’re considering fentanyl rehab. After all, over 52% of all overdose deaths in the US involve fentanyl, shares the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. Your decision to get help at a fentanyl treatment center could very well save your life if you’re addicted to this incredibly dangerous drug. By pursuing fentanyl rehab, you can finally overcome your addiction by addressing not just your symptoms, but the direct root causes of your substance abuse.
So what should you expect in fentanyl addiction treatment? Let’s explore each step you’ll take on your recovery journey so you can be prepared for the road ahead.
Step 1: Knowing the Very Real Dangers of Fentanyl
In case you’re not taking your fentanyl addiction seriously, you first need to realize the immediate danger you’re putting yourself in by using this powerful drug. Here are a few more stats from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics that reveal the magnitude of fentanyl’s risks:
- You’re at a moderate risk of death if you only take .0001 grams of fentanyl. And if you just take .002 grams (that’s two milligrams), your death is certain.
- Fentanyl overdose deaths are outpacing prescription opioid overdose deaths by over 550%.
- Fentanyl is 50 to 300 times more potent than morphine.
- One kilogram of fentanyl contains 250,000 lethal doses.
Though fentanyl is a synthetic opioid made for legal medical usage, it’s often produced and sold illegally on the streets. Unfortunately in these cases, fentanyl can be mixed with other illicit drugs. If you purchase pills on the street, you may not realize what you’re buying is actually fentanyl (or the amount of fentanyl each pill contains). That means, every time you knowingly purchase fentanyl or any other prescription medication illegally, it could be laced with a lethal dose. And remember, it only takes two milligrams to kill you.
Step 2: Recognizing the Signs that You Need Fentanyl Rehab
A fentanyl addiction is serious enough that if you’re showing the signs of addiction, then it’s time to get help at a fentanyl treatment center. But what are the symptoms of fentanyl addiction? Some of the key warning signs include:
- Spending inordinate time seeking out or using fentanyl
- Purchasing fentanyl illegally
- Still using fentanyl once your medication ends
- Having strong urges to use fentanyl
- Navigating withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit
- Experiencing negative consequences due to fentanyl, yet you persist in using it
- Withdrawing socially
- Losing weight suddenly
- Declining interest in hobbies or activities you previously enjoyed
- Slurred speech
- Insomnia
- Drowsiness
Why Rehab for Fentanyl Matters When You’re Addicted
When you use fentanyl, the drug alleviates your pain. At the same time, it causes euphoric, relaxing sensations, like other opioids. This is because fentanyl also causes your brain to release the pleasure chemical called dopamine. While you may feel good at the moment, your continued fentanyl usage causes your body to build a tolerance for it, so you need to use more to achieve the same pleasing effects. Eventually, your brain develops a chemical dependence on the dopamine fentanyl generates, so you begin to have strong fentanyl cravings.
At this point, trying to quit fentanyl is about more than just changing your behavior. And though you may be motivated to quit on your own, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms like insomnia and muscle aches can keep you from succeeding. Instead of continuing to try to get sober on your own (which only leaves you susceptible to overdose), you need to enroll in fentanyl rehab.
Step 3: Beginning Your Journey at a Fentanyl Detox Center
When you decide that it’s time to begin fentanyl addiction treatment, your recovery journey starts at a fentanyl detox center. This is because you first need to get the drug safely out of your body, which requires medical supervision. Called detox, this process usually takes place onsite at your fentanyl treatment center or at a specialized partner facility.
Why is medically-supervised detox important? Because your body has become dependent on fentanyl to function, you must go through a physical adjustment period when you stop using the drug. And you’ll likely experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms as a result. But doing so at a fentanyl detox center ensures that the process is safe, and your medical team will work to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Medical supervision also prevents you from succumbing to your urges to use more fentanyl to find relief (which can often be deadly when you’re detoxing).
Step 4: Participating in Residential Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
Once the presence of fentanyl is physically out of your body, it’s time to work on healing from your addiction. This typically happens by signing up for a residential or inpatient fentanyl rehab program. A residential treatment facility will provide the personalized, comprehensive care you need to get past your symptoms and finally address the root causes of your addiction. Staying onsite at a treatment facility also keeps you away from distractions and temptations, giving you the accountability and focus you need to pursue true recovery.
A residential fentanyl treatment center often uses trauma-informed care practices to treat the underlying past traumas driving your addiction. This includes both evidence-based rehab methods and experiential therapies. As a result of this holistic approach to treatment, you can heal both your mind and body, as well as develop healthy coping strategies to keep you sober long-term.
Seeking Fentanyl Rehab in New England? We’re Here for You
You don’t have to leave your life in the hands of this dangerous drug addiction. At Sana at Stowe in Stowe, Vermont, we can help you overcome your fentanyl addiction and reclaim your life with our comprehensive fentanyl addiction treatment program. If you’re ready to partner with us in every step of your recovery journey, contact our team today to get started.
