Fentanyl Addiction: Signs and Effects of Fentanyl Abuse

Fentanyl addiction occurs when a person becomes dependent on the drug to function normally. This addiction can have severe negative effects on a person’s health, mental well-being, relationships, and career.

Substance use disorders (SUD) are a common issue in the United States, particularly concerning opioids like fentanyl. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective treatment options available that can aid in recovery and help individuals learn to manage their addiction over time.

Continue reading to discover more about fentanyl addiction, its signs and symptoms, and how it can be diagnosed.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain and chronic pain. Opioids, including fentanyl and oxycodone, are associated with a high risk of addiction.

Prescription fentanyl comes in many different forms, including lozenges, tablets, sprays, and patches. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies fentanyl as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it is approved for medical use but has a high potential for abuse. Fentanyl, among other synthetic opioids, is associated with the most drug overdose deaths in the country.

The way opioids work is by blocking pain signals from your brain and central nervous system (CNS) by binding to the opioid receptors in your brain. The use of opioids simultaneously releases endorphins. This is what causes the euphoric effects of fentanyl.

Both of these factors can make the use of fentanyl addicting. People may start to feel as though they need the pain-blocking characteristics and rush of endorphins to feel normal. Over time, people may also need more fentanyl to feel the same effects, which can quickly lead to addiction and overdose.

Fentanyl is also notoriously known for being mixed into other illicit drugs like fake pills, counterfeit pills, or cocaine. People are often unaware and unintentionally become addicted to fentanyl as a result.

Fentanyl is a prescription drug. This means that, unlike some addictive drugs, not all fentanyl use is considered abuse. However, it’s essential to note that abuse and addiction are not the same.

When it comes to fentanyl abuse, the term refers to any unadvised use of the drug. This can include several different misuses, but some examples are using the drug without a prescription, using it more frequently than prescribed, or taking a larger dose than prescribed.

When someone develops a fentanyl addiction, however, they mentally rely on the drug to get through their day. Fentanyl addiction can cause compulsive-seeking behavior such as doctor shopping or engaging in risky behavior to obtain more fentanyl. Addiction is a life-threatening condition that impacts day-to-day life and can greatly alter your ability to make decisions.

Abuse can often develop into addiction, so it’s important to take both conditions seriously.

Yes, fentanyl does cause dependence. Physical dependence is very common with opioids, which is part of why they have a high abuse potential.

Physical dependence occurs when your body relies on a medication to function properly. This causes people to experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using the drug.

When you use fentanyl, your pain receptors are blocked and endorphins are released, leading to a rush of pleasure and euphoria. As you continue to use fentanyl, your body will start to build up a tolerance to its effects, which causes people to need higher doses of the drug to feel the same effects.

It’s important to note that medical dependence is different from addiction. In addiction, individuals may not only have physical dependence but also psychological dependence. This means they mentally rely on fentanyl to function.

Many signs and symptoms can be seen in fentanyl addiction. It’s important to be familiar with common signs of opioid addiction as it can help identify addiction in someone you may be concerned about. There are behavioral, physical, and psychological signs of addiction.

Behavioral signs or changes can be a good indicator of fentanyl addiction. Secretive behavior, making risky choices, doctor shopping, social withdrawal, or neglecting responsibilities can all be signs of addiction. As mentioned previously, addiction can cause people to act uncharacteristically to get more fentanyl.

Additionally, behavioral changes around prescribed fentanyl use can indicate addiction. This can include taking more than prescribed, taking it more frequently than recommended, planning your day around fentanyl use, or being unable to stop thinking about fentanyl.

You may also notice physical signs in yourself or a loved one with fentanyl addiction. Physical signs can include goosebumps, restless legs, pupil constriction, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, and more.

Psychological symptoms may be harder to identify but are just as indicative of addiction. Insomnia, confusion, euphoria, anxiety, and depression are all possible. Because fentanyl interacts directly with the CNS, it can have a big impact on brain chemistry and mood.

Withdrawal symptoms occur when a person has a physical dependence on fentanyl and stops taking the drug. These symptoms can exacerbate addiction as they can be extremely unpleasant and dangerous.

Withdrawal symptoms affect individuals physically and psychologically, similarly to the signs of addiction. Physical symptoms often seen in fentanyl withdrawal include muscle and bone pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, goosebumps, diarrhea, uncontrollable leg movements, increased pain, high temperature, yawning, abdominal cramps, and dilated pupils.

Psychological withdrawal symptoms commonly include anxiety, insomnia, agitation, irritability, and severe cravings.

Withdrawal symptoms can appear fairly quickly after stopping fentanyl use and may persist for days or weeks. Withdrawal duration can vary greatly due to factors like the severity of one’s addiction, how long they’ve been taking fentanyl, and the amount of fentanyl they take.

In opioid withdrawal, it’s common for withdrawal symptoms to start about 12-30 hours after the last dose and peak at around three days. The severity of your withdrawal symptoms will also vary depending on the severity of your addiction.

It’s important to note that quitting fentanyl abruptly can be very dangerous and lead to serious health consequences. You should not go through fentanyl withdrawal on your own as it can be extremely hazardous. That’s why it’s important to go through a medically supervised detox. This can decrease the risks of withdrawal and make the process less uncomfortable.

Fentanyl misuse comes with a slew of side effects. Additionally, some are short-term, meaning they occur immediately after use, and others are long-term, meaning they occur after repeated, prolonged use.

Short-term effects of fentanyl abuse include:

• Euphoria
• Relaxation
• Pain relief
• Sedation
• Confusion
• Urinary retention
• Pupil constriction
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Respiratory depression
• Opioid overdose
• UTI
• Breathing problems
• Unconsciousness
• Clammy skin
• Gurgling noises
• Coma
• Death

Long-term effects of fentanyl abuse include:

• Increased bone fractures
• Increased risk of overdose
• Chronic constipation
• Sleep-disordered breathing
• Hyperalgesia
• Memory problems
• Mental health disorders
• Organ failure

Though some of the effects of fentanyl abuse may disappear after you stop using the drug, long-term effects such as those listed above may affect you for the rest of your life. In turn, these effects can impact those around you and your relationships with your loved ones.

The most serious of fentanyl abuse effects is the risk of overdose. Overdose is a medical emergency and even when treated promptly, can end in serious medical complications or death.

It’s important to know how to identify a fentanyl overdose. Call 911 right away if you notice any of the following signs and suspect an overdose pinpoint pupils, cold or clammy skin, shallow or absent breathing, nausea and vomiting, irregular heartbeat, or loss of consciousness.

Since fentanyl is a highly addictive drug, anyone who uses the drug has the potential to become addicted. However, there are risk factors that can make specific groups of people more prone to opioid addiction.

Having a family history of addiction is a very common risk factor for drug abuse. This is because you may be genetically predisposed to substance addiction. Additionally, growing up around addiction can influence your behavior later in life.

Similarly, early exposure to substances and pressure from peers to use addictive substances are risk factors for fentanyl addiction. This can be exacerbated by a lack of family involvement, leading young, impressionable adults to use dangerous drugs.

If you have a history of drug addiction or substance abuse, you may be at higher risk for developing a fentanyl addiction. This is why it’s important to give your doctor your full medical history, as they may prescribe a different type of medication.

Lastly, you may be more likely to develop a fentanyl addiction if you suffer from a mental health condition. Many people with mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their symptoms, which can quickly develop into addiction.

Risk factors specific to fentanyl addiction may include:

• Being prescribed fentanyl
• Being aged in the teens to 20s
• Environmental factors like easy access to fentanyl
• Taking part in risky and party-seeking behaviors
• Having chronic pain
• Using illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine
• Using fentanyl unprescribed
• Using non-medical-grade fentanyl

A true fentanyl addiction diagnosis can only be given by a certified health professional through a medical evaluation. However, it’s possible to identify an addiction by its signs and symptoms and encourage the individual who is demonstrating them to seek professional help.

If you come across worrying behavior or signs of addiction in someone around you, you may consider having them take an online assessment or screening tool to help them understand that their behavior is worrisome and warrants professional intervention.

During a medical evaluation for a substance addiction, your healthcare provider will ask several questions about different areas of your life as well as your use of fentanyl.

They will also evaluate you for withdrawal symptoms and behavioral patterns. You may receive a referral to a rehab facility from your doctor.

To help guide your evaluation, your doctor will refer to Criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5. This helps confirm the diagnosis, but you must answer your doctor’s questions honestly.

DSM-5 criteria include:

• Opioids are often taken in larger amounts or over a longer time than
  intended.
• There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid
  use.
• A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the opioid, use the
  opioid or recover from its effects.
• Craving or a strong desire to use opioids.
• Recurrent opioid use failing to fulfill major role obligations at work,
  school or home.
• Continued opioid use despite having persistent or recurrent social or
  interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of opioids.
• Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced
  because of opioid use.
• Recurrent opioid use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
• Continued use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or
  psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by
  opioids.
• Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
  • (a) a need for markedly increased amounts of opioids to achieve intoxication or desired effect
  • (b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of an
    opioid
• Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
  • (a) the characteristic opioid withdrawal syndrome
  • (b) the same (or closely related) substances are taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

Fentanyl addiction is a serious issue and can be life-threatening without proper medical attention. There are many ways to treat it and improve your health following fentanyl misuse.

Ready to take the first step in your journey to recovery? Give our helpline a call today for additional guidance.

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