What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic that is synthetically produced. Fentanyl, a highly addictive opioid, is marketed under many different trade names, including Abstral, Duragesic, and Subsys. People with terminal illnesses like cancer often use this drug to ease their pain.
Fentanyl is readily accessible because its constituent components can be easily synthesized in a laboratory. More than 30,000 people died from fentanyl overdoses in 2020 according to data from the National Center on Drug Abuse Statistics.
Side Effects of Fentanyl Abuse
Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II drug due to its extreme strength and addiction potential. Fentanyl users who take the drug in excess of what is recommended for them report feelings of tremendous exhilaration comparable to a heroin high. Fentanyl is a very dangerous medication that may have deadly consequences even when used recreationally. A user’s experience with fentanyl may vary depending on factors such as:
- The fentanyl dosage.
- The individual’s body type, size, and health status.
- The individual’s tolerance for the drug.
- The presence or absence of co-occurring mental health illnesses.
Below are the common side effects of fentanyl abuse:
• A feeling of euphoria.
• Nausea and Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Disorientation.
• Exhaustion.
• Headache.
• A reduction in pain.
• Slurred speech.
• A loss of appetite.
• Dizziness.
Signs of an overdose include a weak pulse and low blood pressure. Overdosage is possible if a greater dose is consumed than intended. Over 30,000 people died in 2020 from fentanyl overdose and more than 50,000 from opioid overdose according to the CDC. Some states have begun charging fentanyl traffickers with attempted murder. 3 milligrams of fentanyl are enough to cause death.
Long-term Side Effects of Fentanyl Abuse
Fentanyl abuse can cause long-lasting psychological and social side effects, one of which is impaired decision-making. Other long-term side effects of fentanyl abuse include mood swings, decreased libido, chronic constipation, menstruation issues, and breathing problems.
Furthermore, prolonged fentanyl abuse may drastically reduce oxygen in the human tissues, increasing the risk of injury and organ damage. Chronic fentanyl users are at a far higher risk of experiencing an overdose. Besides, personal and interpersonal relationship damages are inevitable outcomes of fentanyl abuse.
Fentanyl abuse has also been linked to an increased risk of developing a mental health condition. Opioid users often struggle with other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or a traumatic stress disorder. Some persons may be predisposed to substance abuse because of underlying mental health issues, while others may acquire an opioid use disorder and subsequently suffer additional psychological symptoms that fit them for a psychiatric diagnosis.
Seek Help from a Top-Rated Fentanyl Rehab Center in Houston
Although most of the fentanyl withdrawal symptoms are seldom deadly, stopping fentanyl intake abruptly may be excruciatingly uncomfortable. As a consequence, it is crucial to go off fentanyl slowly. The unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, on the other hand, might lead to relapse in those who are experiencing them. Please contact Skyward Treatment Center if you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl addiction. The path to recovery is not easy, but it does not have to be done alone.
