Fentanyl abuse and addiction and their related symptoms in cities like Calgary and Vancouver, Canada by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating drug addiction and recovery.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a narcotic pain reliever that has been derived from the opium plant. The drug is similar in many ways to morphine, only much stronger. The pharmaceutical name for Fentanyl is Duragesic.
Fentanyl can be administered through various means, however it is most commonly administered transdermally with a skin patch. A small amount of the drug is administered to a patch and applied to the skin where it can be slowly absorbed over a longer period of time thus softening its strong pain relieving capacity.
Fentanyl is most often prescribed to patients suffering from chronic pain. Like most other opiates, Fentanyl has been known to cause high rates of addiction and must only be used under the recommendations of a qualified doctor.
What are the Symptoms of a Fentanyl Addiction?
In order to fully appreciate the symptoms of a fentanyl addiction it is necessary to first understand what the drug does to the body. Fentanyl interfaces directly with the body’s opiate receptors and greatly increases with the production of dopamine in the body.
Dopamine is the “feel good” chemical released by the body to regulate and control movement, behaviour, motivation and can also affect the overall mood of the individual. Increased levels of dopamine in the body will lead to feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation. Fentanyl is classified as a Class II drug due to its high rate of addiction.
The symptoms of fentanyl abuse are not as obvious as with other opioids but there are some tell tale symptoms that are apparent even in long term abusers who have developed a tolerance. The first most common symptom of an addict on fentanyl is tightly contracted pupils, like tiny pinpoints, even when in a dark room where they would normally dilate.
Fentanyl will also make the individual as sharp and alert as a sack of potatoes, causing them to “drift away” or nod off in the most inappropriate situations even when in the middle of a conversation or standing up. Seasoned addicts will have developed a resistance to the more stupefying aspects of the drug and may hide their symptoms very well.
Fentanyl is also known to be a euphoria inducer for certain users, but this seems to be determined by the user as every individual experiences their “trip” or “high” in a different way. Unless a fresh dosage is administered the ride ends and the abuser is left irritable until the next dose is taken. This is a dark time for the user and many abusers have succumbed to guilt and even contemplated suicide.
Behavioural changes common to most abusers of prescription medications from hydrocodone to oxycodone are reflected in fentanyl users as well including tampering with prescriptions in an attempt to collect higher quantities of drugs or the classic “Doctor Surfing” or getting a seventh opinion and prescription. Black markets are frequented by the fentanyl abuser.
Other behavioral changes may include a deteriorating performance at work or studies as well as a withdrawal from family and friends.
Withdrawals while detoxing from regular fentanyl abuse can be very difficult and take a long time and will begin within hours of taking the last dosage, the assistance of a certified physician is essential during this time. Withdrawal symptoms may include cramps, vomiting, twitching, diarrhea and the craving for more drugs.
Options Okanagan Drug And Fentanyl Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.
Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.
Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.
Our Fentanyl Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Fentanyl Treatment Center
206 – 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331