Fentanyl Detox Methods
Recently explosions in overdose deaths have reached numbers never before seen in the opioid overdose crisis in the United States. Some individuals that have fallen victim to these overdoses aren’t even aware of the drug they’re consuming.
Narcotics marketed as heroin flooding our borders contain deadly levels of fentanyl and hardly any heroin at all. Individuals seeking to avoid the side effects of opiate withdrawal often have no idea they’re consuming the deadly drug fentanyl, or even if they do, how much they are actually consuming.
It’s been a well-known fact that heroin has caused deadly overdoses among users for decades. However, these numbers are dwarfed by those of fentanyl, and only rise as xylazine gets added to the drug supply.
If these facts sound all too familiar for you or someone you love, do not despair. We are here to help.
Keep reading to learn more about evidence-based substance abuse treatment programs at Icarus, and how to get the support for effective, lasting fentanyl detox.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a full-synthetic, lab-made opioid similar to morphine. However, the potency of fentanyl is approximately 80 to 100 times stronger than the latter.
Originally manufactured as a remedy for terminal cancer patients and to treat severe pain, fentanyl was released as a transdermal patch applied to the skin. Later it was marketed in the form of lollipops, and finally, even an inhaler hit the market.
Around 2007, law enforcement officials began noticing random spikes in overdoses and connected them to batches of heroin containing fentanyl. The DEA traced these batches to a single clandestine fentanyl lab in Mexico and shut it down.
Assuming the problem was isolated, law enforcement let their guard down. However, in 2012, overdose cases began to spike again. This time, the problem wouldn’t go away.
Since then, drug overdose deaths have continued to rise, breaking records along the way. In 2021, it was estimated that many of the nearly 90,000 overdose deaths in the US were attributed to fentanyl.
What makes this drug so deadly? How does it affect the brain in ways that other opiates and opioids don’t?
24 Hour Fentanyl Detox and Rehab Helpline
How Does Fentanyl Affect the Brain?
Fentanyl affects the brain in a unique way. All opiates and opioids attach themselves to the opiate receptors in the brain, causing pain-relieving properties and euphoria. In high quantities, these drugs can cause respiratory depression, which is what leads to death in an overdose.
In the case of fentanyl, the respiratory depression caused by this drug triggers brain hypoxia and hyperglycemia. This leads to changes in brain temperature and affects metabolic brain activity.
Because of the potency and very real risk of fentanyl overdose, getting someone help who has a dependency on this drug is vital.
However, to achieve this, you must be aware of the signs and physical symptoms of fentanyl dependence and how fentanyl detox works. Icarus is proud to offer full-service fentanyl detox alongside fentanyl addiction treatment for our clients.
What are the Signs of Fentanyl Dependence?
There are several signs of fentanyl use as well as dependence. However, it’s difficult to decipher if an individual is dependent on fentanyl or another form of opioid. Symptoms are typically uniform across the board with most of these medications. Most users of illicit opioids will display the following signs and symptoms:
- Noticeable periods of nodding off or falling asleep
- Long periods of sleeping
- Noticeably smaller pupils
- The overall look of intoxication (slurred speech, staggering)
- Noticing certain periods where the individual seems sick (withdrawal)
Understanding and having the ability to identify these signs can save an individual’s life. The risk of overdose on fentanyl is incredibly high, and receiving help as soon as possible reduces those risks.