Abuse of fentanyl in Arizona is a serious issue, as it is across the United States. In fact, fentanyl has the title of deadliest drug in Arizona according to statistics showing extreme abuse and overdose numbers. With fentanyl abuse such a large crisis, what hope is there of recovery? Although it may seem like nothing can be done, there is actually proven efficacy with professional drug rehab. Seeking help for opioid addiction is the greatest step you can take towards healing!
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid. Opioids are painkiller medications that produce a relaxing, pleasant, euphoric, or sedative effect, depending on the dose. They act on your brain’s opioid receptors to trigger positive chemical messengers like dopamine. Notably, fentanyl derives from the opioid poppy but is entirely lab-made for medical purposes. Sadly, fentanyl is widely abused. It is a large contributor to the opioid epidemic in Arizona along with the rest of America. Because fentanyl is a relatively cheap drug, it’s used as a filler ingredient in many illicitly manufactured drugs. But to cross fentanyl with any other substance is dangerous and can lead to unanticipated overdose.
Why Is Fentanyl Dangerous?
Fentanyl is extremely dangerous to intake, whether intentionally or accidentally. It takes mere grains of fentanyl to kill a healthy adult, showing how truly potent the drug is. Why is the substance so incredibly dangerous? Because fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, it quickly works on your central nervous system connecting your brain and body. With even a small amount, your body can begin to slow down from the effects it has. Your breathing may become shallow as your heart rate slows. In accordance, overdose is one of the greatest dangers of fentanyl use, as it can stop your heart from beating. Those with fentanyl addiction continue to take the harmful substance in greater doses, which considerably increases their risk of death.
Stats about Fentanyl: Arizona
Tragically, fentanyl is a big problem in Arizona, just as it has made a mark on the rest of the U.S. Since 2015, fentanyl-related deaths have increased by 4,900 percent, a staggering statistic showing just how prevalent its use is. In 2022, Arizona faced 1,927 opioid deaths from overdose, with fentanyl playing a significant role. Yet, of these deaths, over 93 percent of the overdoses were accidental. Unaccounted-for fentanyl mixed into other drugs is one reason for the opioidcrisis that is devastating the population.
Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction
Every person who abuses opioids, whether fentanyl or another drug, will have a different experience. Much of what your drug use looks like depends on personal factors, including your size, history, and genetics. Understandably, this can make it difficult to pinpoint a case of fentanyl addiction. However, any combination of these signs and symptoms indicates a potential fentanyl addiction.
Physical Signs of Fentanyl Use Disorder
Here are potential physical symptoms you will experience from fentanyl abuse:
- Nausea
- Yawning
- Tiredness
- Insomnia
- Clammy skin
- Small pupils
- Poor coordination
- Blue-tinted body parts
- Runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Physical weakness
- Changes in appetite
Behavioral Signs of Fentanyl Use Disorder
Opioid addiction takes a high toll on your life, including your relationships, career, finances, and passions. The behavioral signs of fentanyl abuse can be spotted in the following behaviors:
- High tolerance
- Cravings for more
- Inability to stop using opioids
- Using more fentanyl than you mean to
- Missing obligations or responsibilities because you’re sourcing or using opioids
- Giving up passions and hobbies due to fentanyl
- Financial strain
- Breakdown of relationships
- Social isolation
- Disheveled appearance
Emotional Signs of Fentanyl Use Disorder
Additionally, abusing opioids like fentanyl will take a toll on your brain and emotions. Fentanyl alters your brain chemistry, so your emotions may feel out-of-whack, and you could exhibit the following signs:
- Mental confusion
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Anger
In many cases, unstable emotions caused by drug abuse can lead to violent or aggressive behavior. Often times, the individual is experiencing a hallucination so they don’t realize what they’re doing. The mental risks of fentanyl use are severe and life-altering.
What Are the Risks of Fentanyl Abuse?
The above physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms of fentanyl abuse show how destructive it can be to your health and life. In a short amount of time, you can end up trading your whole life for fentanyl. Additionally, you also put yourself at risk of short-term and long-term health risks. Taking powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl can cause serious damage to your body and mind.
Short-Term Risks of Fentanyl Abuse
The short-term risks of abusing fentanyl are immediately uncomfortable and painful. They can cause you to retreat further into your addiction to numb the bad feelings, but that doesn’t fix anything. If you experience any of these discomforts in the early stages of fentanyl abuse, you should seek help immediately.
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- High tolerance (leading to greater cravings)
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea
- Cramping
- Inflammation (rash, swelling, itchiness)
- Slow heart rate
- Impaired balance
Long-Term Risks of Fentanyl Abuse
As you continue to use fentanyl, the short-term risks can develop into more severe health damage. Long-term fentanyl abuse increases your risks of developing serious or life-threatening diseases and conditions. Sadly, fentanyl abuse is known to lead to the following issues:
- Cancer
- Infections
- Reduced bone density
- Hormone imbalances
- Vein damage
- Liver damage
- HIV or AIDS
- Mental health disorders
Without a doubt, fentanyl can first cause destruction in your life and then end it. This is why it’s important to seek help quickly if you’re struggling to quit using fentanyl.
Using Narcan to Stop a Fentanyl Overdose
There is one treatment medication helping the fentanyl epidemic in Arizona and around the world. It’s called Narcan, the brand name for the opioid antagonist medication, naloxone. By working on the same opioid receptors in the brain, it both reverses and blocks the effects of opioids like fentanyl. Thus, Narcan can be administered to someone who is overdosing to help save their life.
While naloxone is an amazing opioid overdose remedy, it doesn’t fix the larger problem of the cycle of addiction. It takes professional treatment assistance to truly break free from the pattern of drug abuse.
When Is it Time to Get Help?
If fentanyl is something that has a central place in your life, it’s time to look for help to escape its hold. For instance, if you know the dangers and see damage in your life but can’t stop, then you need to seek help. A classic symptom of drug addiction is the inability to quit, even when you want to. We’re here to tell you quitting is not impossible, but it does require outside intervention. You might never be able to stop using drugs on your own but that’s okay because help exists to support you.
What Is Opioid Addiction Treatment Like?
Opioid addiction treatment is a safe and effective treatment program with a supportive community of help. It follows a proven structure of evidence-based therapy combined with holistic healing and prescription medication. Yet, every other element is entirely customizable to you. For example, the first thing you will do with your therapist when starting treatment is make an individual service plan. This will account for your needs and goals, as well as your timeline and financial situation. As you work through rehab, you’ll follow your treatment plan, making modifications as needed.
To get a better idea of what working through fentanyl rehab looks like, let’s discuss the different levels of care you can move through.
Medical Detox for Opioids
The first step of recovery from fentanyl is medical detox. Anyone who is dependent on opioids will experience withdrawal symptoms when they deny their cravings for more. Notably, the exact timeline of fentanyl withdrawal will depend on a variety of individual factors. For most people, detox spans 4-10 days. During this time, you will live comfortably in our medical facility where you receive 24/7 care and monitoring. To alleviate your symptoms, we can provide comfort medication, along with fluids and nutrients to restore your body to health.
Inpatient Recovery for Opioids
After detox, you can transition into residential inpatient treatment, where you live in-center to engage in vigorous recovery programming. Your schedule will include daily sessions of traditional therapy and holistic activities, as the combination increases overall wellness. Through this routine, you’ll explore the roots of your addiction, trauma, and unhealthy patterns. Yet, you will also learn tools and skills to rise above your past and operate in new, healthy ways. Some of our guests choose to also enter medication assisted treatment (MAT). They receive a prescription to help manage their opioid addiction, like suboxone.
Outpatient Recovery for Opioids
Although you’ve completed much of the inner work of healing in inpatient treatment, your recovery is not complete yet. Outpatient rehab is an important continuing level of care for those who want to practice independence while still receiving support. At this time, you’ll move back home but still attend sessions with your therapist and case manager. To ensure you’re prepared to graduate from treatment, you’ll focus on future planning and relapse prevention. However, even after you graduate from outpatient treatment, you will have our care and support to ensure you’re doing well.
Finding Professional Help for Fentanyl Use Disorder
If you struggle with abuse of fentanyl, Arizona drug rehab is the answer to your addiction. Our knowledgeable and skilled team of substance abuse professionals can help you make a lasting difference in your life. Through tailored fentanyl addiction treatment, you will be able to achieve long-term sobriety over opioids. Starting with fentanyl detox in Arizona, you can then move into opioid rehab in Arizona through our Royal Life Centers. That way, you stay close to home while recovering.
Professional help is available nearby and we would love to start a treatment plan customized to your sobriety goals. We invite you to give us a call now and change your life!
