Fentanyl Addiction
Fraser Valley Detox and Treatment Call Centre is a call centre here to support and facilitate the process of getting you or your loved one into detox and/or treatment for drug and alcohol misuse. Most importantly, we work with the best facilities in the country. We have lived a life of addiction and above all, are now living in Recovery. Consequently, our lives in recovery allow us to help those still struggling. Moreover, our life in recovery combined with being highly educated professionals makes us an indispensable asset to helping your loved one.
Our staff can assess your situation and determine the appropriate facility for you or your loved one. Above all, we have a variety of options to choose from, including exclusive men only and women only centres. In addition, we can also accommodate youth.
Fentanyl is an opioid painkiller that is considerably more powerful than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Doctors only prescribe fentanyl in the most serious circumstances due to the high potential for fentanyl addiction. It makes a person euphoric and numb, mentally and physically. Fentanyl has a potent effect on the brain’s reward centres making it very difficult to stop without the help of addiction treatment.
Common signs of Fentanyl use:
- Constricted pupils (pupils are smaller than usual)
- Noticeable elation or euphoria (due to the stimulation of the reward center of the brain)
- Persistent drowsiness or sedation (a tendency to sleep more than usual or want to sleep at strange times)
- Confusion or mental fog (losing track of important information; difficulty focusing)
- Constipation (most opioid drugs cause stool hardening or constipation that can be painful and even debilitating)
- Slowed breathing (opioids slow respiration and very slow respiration can be a symptom of addiction)
- Nodding off or losing consciousness (people taking heavy doses of opioids may fall asleep in the middle of a conversation or pass out)
Behavioural signs of fentanyl use:
- Money shortage or financial problems. Fentanyl is expensive and may be even more expensive if the person in question is buying it on the street.
- Doctor shopping. It’s very common for people with opioid addictions to shop for doctors in the hopes that if one doctor won’t give them the drugs they want, another one will. Doctors are aware of the dangers of fentanyl and are cautious about prescribing it.
- Pharmacy shopping. Just as doctors operate carefully with fentanyl, the same is true of pharmacists. An alert pharmacist or pharmacy technician would notice if a person came into their pharmacy with fentanyl prescriptions from two (or more) doctors. A person with an addiction might frequent pharmacies in different locations (and different chains) to avoid detection.
- Extra pill bottles. People who are abusing fentanyl may have more pill bottles than they should. If you notice that your loved one has extra pill bottles lying around or in the trash, you should be concerned.
- Mood swings and irritability. People who are struggling to hide an addiction to fentanyl can get angry and irritable if they are questioned about it. It’s common for addicts to react defensively when they feel their addictive behavior has been noticed.
- Social withdrawal and isolation. A person who has an addiction to fentanyl may withdraw from social activities and avoid friends and family members. It may be difficult for them to hide the signs of their drug abuse and it’s easier for them to choose solitude over company.
Common signs of fentanyl withdrawal:
- Yawning
- Perspiration
- Restlessness
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Chills
- Backache
- Stomach cramps
- Body hair standing on end
- Joint and muscle pain
Take the first step towards recovery and a healthy, happy, drug-free life and call us, or schedule a free, no obligation consultation on fentanyl addiction rehab therapy treatment.