Fentanyl Addiction Treatment: Signs, Effects & Solutions

Although fentanyl is a highly dangerous and addictive opioid, participating in treatment for fentanyl addiction can help you stop taking the drug permanently.

Fentanyl addiction is a critical public health issue that has impacted countless individuals and families across the United States, including in Kansas City. This synthetic opioid is extremely potent, and misuse can quickly lead to dependence, dangerous health consequences and overdose. Knowing the risks and signs of fentanyl addiction is essential for anyone who suspects they or a loved one may be struggling with it. Further, understanding the pathways to treatment and recovery offers hope for regaining a healthier, substance-free life.

Below, we will take a comprehensive look at what fentanyl is, why it’s so dangerous, how to recognize warning signs of fentanyl misuse and the steps involved in effective addiction treatment.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid analgesic that is typically prescribed to treat severe pain, such as pain after surgery or pain experienced by patients with advanced cancer. It can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Because of its high potency, it is often prescribed in carefully controlled settings and administered in forms such as patches, lozenges or injections.

Fentanyl is linked with many opioid overdose deaths. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl accounted for over 74,000 deaths in 2023 — a small decrease from the 76,000 in 2022.

Short-Term Effects of Fentanyl

When used for medical purposes under a physician’s supervision, fentanyl helps relieve severe pain. However, because it acts quickly and powerfully on opioid receptors in the brain, fentanyl also comes with a high risk of misuse and addiction. Some of the short-term effects of fentanyl include:

• Euphoria and relaxation: Fentanyl can create an intense rush of pleasure, relaxation and a sense of well-being.
• Drowsiness: Like other opioids, fentanyl can cause pronounced drowsiness, nodding off or difficulty staying awake.
• Slowed breathing: One of the most dangerous effects of fentanyl is respiratory depression. In high doses, this can be life-threatening.
• Constipation: Gastrointestinal slowing is common when taking opioids.
• Nausea or vomiting: Feeling sick to the stomach is a frequent side effect.

Is Fentanyl Addictive?

Yes. Fentanyl carries a high potential for addiction because it powerfully stimulates the brain’s reward centers. After repeated use, your brain chemistry adapts, and you may feel compelled to seek out more fentanyl just to function or feel “normal.” Tolerance develops quickly, meaning you need higher doses over time to achieve the same effect. This escalation of use can spiral into physical dependence and addiction.

Fentanyl Brand Names

Fentanyl is sometimes prescribed for legitimate medical reasons, like severe pain in cancer patients, and is available under brand names, including:

• Subsys (oral liquid)
• Duragesic (patch)
• Actiq (oral lozenge)
• Fentora (oral tablet)
• Lazanda (nasal spray)
• Abstral (oral tablet)
• Sublimaze (injection, available in hospitals only)

Street Names for Fentanyl

Outside of prescription use, fentanyl is also manufactured and distributed illegally. When it is sold on the street, fentanyl may go by various names, including:

• Apache
• Dance Fever
• Jackpot
• Murder 8
• China White
• TNT
• Great Bear
• Friend

Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?

Any opioid can be dangerous, risking addiction, dependence and overdose. However, compared to other opioids, fentanyl is incredibly dangerous because of its potency. Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Further, sometimes drug dealers lace other drugs with fentanyl, so the person might be unaware they are taking it. Drugs that have been laced with fentanyl include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA). Someone who mistakenly takes fentanyl has a high overdose risk because they are unaware they are consuming the substance.

What Are the Signs of Fentanyl Addiction?

Fentanyl addiction can be both physical and psychological. People often begin taking fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons but may develop cravings that lead to misuse. Others may acquire fentanyl illicitly for recreational use. Below are some common signs that you or a loved one may be struggling with fentanyl addiction:

• Increased tolerance: Needing higher or more frequent doses to feel the same effect.
• Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing intense discomfort, pain, anxiety or restlessness when fentanyl is not available.
• Doctor shopping: Visiting multiple doctors or pharmacies to obtain additional prescriptions.
• Financial problems: Spending significant amounts of money on fentanyl, neglecting bills or basic necessities.
• Changes in behavior or mood: Becoming withdrawn, irritable or secretive about activities and whereabouts.
• Neglecting responsibilities: Struggling to fulfill family, work or school obligations due to drug use.
• Unsuccessful attempts to quit: Wanting to cut down or stop using fentanyl but finding it too difficult due to cravings and withdrawal.

Recognizing these warning signs early can greatly increase the chance of successful intervention and treatment.

Signs of Prescription Fentanyl Abuse

Prescription fentanyl comes in forms such as patches, lozenges (Actiq) or sprays. Misuse may include:

• Using fentanyl more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed
• Altering the medication’s form (for example, extracting fentanyl from patches to inject or snort)
• Taking someone else’s prescription or continuing to use a prescription after it’s no longer needed
• Claiming lost or stolen prescriptions to secure additional medication

Prescription misuse is dangerous because even small, unauthorized changes in fentanyl dosage can lead to overdose or physical dependence. If you suspect prescription misuse, it is essential to seek medical advice immediately.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Fentanyl Misuse?

Long-term misuse of fentanyl can damage both your physical and mental health. Over time, as fentanyl rewires the brain’s pleasure and reward pathways, your body and mind come to rely on the substance to feel good or even function normally. Prolonged misuse can lead to:

• Chronic Constipation and Digestive Issues: Opioids slow down the digestive tract, potentially resulting in chronic constipation that can become painful and disruptive.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Long-term opioid use can decrease testosterone in men and disrupt menstrual cycles in women, contributing to sexual dysfunction and other health problems.
• Brain Changes: Extended fentanyl misuse can alter mood regulation, decision-making skills and impulse control, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.
• Respiratory Problems: Repeated episodes of depressed breathing may weaken the respiratory system over time.
• Risk of Infections: People who misuse fentanyl intravenously are at heightened risk for infections such as HIV, hepatitis C and bacterial endocarditis.
• Increased Risk of Overdose: Tolerance can push individuals to use higher doses, which can ultimately prove fatal.

These long-term effects underscore why early intervention is so crucial. Recovery programs and medical professionals can help minimize or reverse certain consequences of chronic use by providing both physical and mental health support.

Fentanyl Overdose

A fentanyl overdose occurs when too much of the drug is taken, leading to life-threatening respiratory depression (very slow or stopped breathing). Fentanyl is incredibly potent, and in illicit supplies, it may be mixed into other substances (like cocaine or counterfeit pills) without a person’s knowledge. This amplifies overdose risk.

Signs of Fentanyl Overdose

Recognizing an overdose quickly can save a life. Signs of fentanyl overdose include:

• Extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up
• Slow or shallow breathing (or no breathing at all)
• Blue or gray-tinted skin, lips or fingernails
• Unresponsiveness or limp body
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Pinpoint pupils

If you suspect someone is overdosing on fentanyl, call 911 immediately. If naloxone (Narcan) is available, administer it as directed. Naloxone is an opioid overdose antidote that can help restore normal breathing, but professional medical attention is still urgently required.

Fentanyl Withdrawal & Detox

When a person who has become physically dependent on fentanyl stops using it, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. These can range from mildly uncomfortable to very severe, depending on how long fentanyl was used and how high the dosage was.

Typical fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Muscle aches and bone pain
• Sweating and chills
• Insomnia
• Stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
• Runny nose and tearing eyes
• Intense cravings for fentanyl

Medical detox can help minimize the discomfort and risks associated with fentanyl withdrawal. A detox program typically involves:

• Evaluation: A clinical team assesses the individual’s overall health, fentanyl use history and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Stabilization: The person is guided through withdrawal, often with the support of medications such as buprenorphine or methadone to ease symptoms and reduce cravings.
• Transition to Further Treatment: After detox, many patients benefit from structured rehabilitation, outpatient therapy or other recovery programs to maintain sobriety and address underlying issues.

Knowing When It’s Time To Seek Help

Common addiction signs and symptoms occur when a person struggles with fentanyl. Although not everyone will show all symptoms, having more than two within a year can mean the person is becoming addicted to fentanyl, and it is time to seek help:

1. Taking more fentanyl than intended or for longer than intended
2. Previous unsuccessful attempts to cut down on or quit fentanyl
3. Spending a lot of time getting, taking or recovering from fentanyl
4. Craving fentanyl
5. Problems meeting obligations at school or work due to fentanyl
6. Interpersonal issues because of fentanyl
7. Quitting or cutting back on other activities because of fentanyl
8. Using fentanyl even when it is dangerous
9. Taking fentanyl even though you are aware it is hurting you
10. Needing more fentanyl to get the same effects as before
11. Withdrawal symptoms if you try to cut back or quit fentanyl

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment and Rehab

Fentanyl addiction treatment starts with realizing you are struggling and want to change. The Recovery Village Kansas City offers a comprehensive treatment program to help stop fentanyl use safely and support you through professional rehab treatment.

Detox

Medical detox is the first step of fentanyl recovery. Often withdrawal symptoms can overwhelm and challenge your recovery when you try to remove fentanyl from your system alone.

A medical detox program helps you through withdrawal with round-the-clock care from doctors and nurses who can treat your symptoms as they occur. Depending on the severity of your fentanyl addiction, you may be a candidate for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with drugs like buprenorphine (Suboxone).

Rehab

Medical detox is only the first step of your lifelong recovery. You remain at high risk of relapse until you complete rehab, where you explore why you began relying on fentanyl and learn healthier coping strategies. Several phases of rehab include:

• Inpatient rehab: In inpatient rehab, you live at the recovery center, which provides a structured, sober living environment, allowing you to focus all your time and efforts on recovery.

• Partial hospitalization: After inpatient rehab, you’ll have more free time and independence to manage your own recovery while still receiving several hours of care each day.
• Intensive outpatient rehab: While many clients continue living onsite in intensive outpatient care, others attend treatment then return home. These clients receive fewer hours of care as they transition to life in recovery.

Ongoing Aftercare and Support

Addiction is a lifelong illness. Aftercare programs are available to help you stay focused on remaining fentanyl-free for life and may include:

• Online teletherapy
• Relapse prevention plans
• Medical referrals
• Support groups

Fentanyl Addiction and Mental Health

Mental health disorders are common in people who struggle with substances like fentanyl. More than 25% of people who struggle with drugs have a mental health disorder, most commonly:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Schizophrenia
• Personality disorders

Because substance abuse and mental health go together, it is important to treat both. Dual diagnosis programs help address both issues simultaneously, easing your recovery.

Is Fentanyl Addiction Treatable?

Fentanyl addiction is lifelong but treatable. Participating in medical detox, rehab and aftercare programs can help you quit the drug permanently and live fentanyl-free. Addiction treatment programs significantly increase your chances of successfully beating fentanyl.

Your Path to Recovery

Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids available, and its potential for addiction and overdose is alarmingly high. If you or someone you love is misusing fentanyl, it’s critical to seek help sooner rather than later. Early intervention can be life-saving and reduce the long-term damage caused by chronic fentanyl use.

With professional treatment, recovery from fentanyl addiction is possible. Through medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, therapy and a strong support network, individuals can learn to manage cravings, address underlying issues and gain the coping skills needed to remain drug-free. In Kansas City, The Recovery Village is committed to helping each person discover hope and achieve sustainable recovery.

Take the Next Step

If you think you or a loved one may be struggling with fentanyl addiction, don’t wait to get help. Contact The Recovery Village Kansas City to learn more about our treatment programs and to speak with a compassionate professional who can guide you toward recovery. You deserve a healthier, happier life — and with the right support, you can reclaim it.