Pain is universal. Barring an incredibly rare medical condition, there isn’t anyone in the world who hasn’t experienced the sensation of pain at least once in their life.

The majority of people can bear general and temporary pain, but some suffer from chronic or unbearable acute pain, leading to medication being prescribed for many.

However, some pain medications, like fentanyl, can be addictive, and it can cause an individual to have to deal with a whole other set of problems.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Liberty Home

At Liberty Home, our treatment approaches are divided between two centres, each dedicated to developing effective treatment for different aspects of addiction and the recovery journey.

Primary Treatment

Liberty Home’s primary treatment centre is located in Cape Town, South Africa. While in primary rehab treatment in this facility, patients will have 24/7 support while they recover from an addiction to fentanyl or other opioids.

The centre is located minutes away from the beach and while it does not offer detox services, our staff work closely with nearby centres that provide such services.

How Fentanyl Addiction is Treated at Liberty Home

Our treatment for fentanyl addiction is meant to comprehensively help patients overcome an addiction to fentanyl and other opioids. Some of our treatment options include:

CBT is a form of treatment that helps people identify and address the thought patterns that can lead them to develop an addiction as well as perpetuate addictive behaviours. CBT is a dynamic form of treatment and can be adapted to treat a number of substance use and mental health disorders.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Drug addiction treatment can also include DBT. DBT helps patients find balance by helping them develop skills in four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is primarily used in the treatment of trauma-related disorders. However, it can help treat opioid addiction by helping people process traumatic memories that may have contributed to a person becoming addicted to fentanyl.

EMDR Therapy

Some people can feel ambivalent or even apathetic about the prospect of recovering from addiction. Motivational Interviewing (MI) can help by fostering a collaborative conversation that can enhance a person's desire to change.

Through empathy and supportive dialogue, MI helps individuals explore their ambivalence about their recovery, identify personal reasons for change, and build confidence in their ability to overcome addiction.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is significantly more powerful than either morphine or heroin. It’s used in medical settings as a pain management tool, especially for patients who need relief from chronic pain or are undergoing surgery.

Like other opioid medications, fentanyl works by binding to the brain’s opioid receptors. Because opioid receptors are found in the area of the brain that controls pain, opioid drugs can reduce the sensation of pain.

Because of how potent it can be, fentanyl is tightly regulated and monitored within medical environments to prevent people from misusing it. However, outside of these controlled environments, fentanyl is manufactured illicitly and has become a major societal concern because of its association with illegal drug markets.

Aside from some people misusing prescription fentanyl, mixing fentanyl with non-prescription drugs has led to a surge in accidental overdoses as well as a rise in drug abuse. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl may also not be as safe as what is manufactured by pharmaceutical companies.

Despite the dangers associated with illegal fentanyl, the drug remains an essential medication within the medical community, providing critical pain relief for those with severe or chronic pain conditions when taken in under proper medical supervision.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration classifies fentanyl as a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating legitimate medical use with a high risk of misuse. In fact, addiction can develop rather quickly.

Effects of Fentanyl Use

Like any other form of drug use, taking fentanyl can cause a number of effects. These effects can be varied. Some of the effects of taking fentanyl include:

Physical Symptoms of Fentanyl Use

Fentanyl use can lead to physical symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, and euphoria. People who take fentanyl may experience dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

A critical symptom that often leads to slowed or stopped breathing is respiratory depression.

Other symptoms of using fentanyl can include constipation, constricted pupils, and weakness. Large doses or misuse can lead to addiction and complications such as unconsciousness or coma.

Dermatological symptoms, such as rash or itching, can also occur with certain forms of fentanyl administration, like patches. Because of fentanyl’s potency, even small amounts can cause significant physical effects.

Behavioural Symptoms of Fentanyl Use

Behavioural symptoms of fentanyl use can depend on whether or not a person is taking the medication as part of their treatment or if they’re doing so illicitly.

Symptoms of fentanyl use can include noticeable changes in mood and behaviour. Users may become euphoric, followed by periods of lethargy or unresponsiveness. Impaired judgement and coordination are common, often leading to risky or erratic behaviour.

If a person is taking the drug illicitly, they may become more secretive with their behaviour. They may withdraw from their social circles and start to neglect their responsibilities.

Users might also display unusual financial habits, such as borrowing money or selling possessions to fund their use. Changes in personal hygiene and appearance may become evident.

Additionally, mood swings, anxiety, and irritability can occur, especially during withdrawal or between doses. These behavioural changes can have a major impact on personal and professional relationships.

Side Effects of Fentanyl Addiction

A side effect of any drug addiction is dependence. This is when a person is physically and mentally dependent on taking the drug to keep on functioning. This dependence can cause a user to experience withdrawal symptoms if they are unable to take the drug.

Another side effect of fentanyl abuse is when a person begins to develop a tolerance to fentanyl. Tolerance can be worrying as it may compel a user to take a larger amount of fentanyl to get the high that they want. This can cause someone to take too much fentanyl and increase the risk of overdose.

Strained relationships are also a common sign of fentanyl addiction. Using drugs can cause people to withdraw socially as they dedicate their time and resources to acquiring and using more opioid drugs.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Detox from fentanyl can cause withdrawal, the symptoms of which can be severe and distressing due to the drug’s potency and addictive nature. Early symptoms often include anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.

Physical discomforts such as muscle aches, sweating, and chills are common. As withdrawal goes on, these symptoms can intensify, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, leading to dehydration and further physical weakness. Insomnia and yawning are frequent, alongside increased heart rate and high blood pressure.

Fentanyl cravings can be intense, complicating the withdrawal process. Psychological symptoms such as depression and severe mood swings may also occur. Users might experience difficulty concentrating and overwhelming feelings of unease.

These withdrawal symptoms can start within hours of the last dose of fentanyl and reach their peak within a few days, but they can last for weeks afterwards.

Due to the intensity of fentanyl withdrawal, medical supervision is required to manage symptoms safely and support recovery.

If You're Addicted to Fentanyl,
We Can Help You

People take fentanyl for a number of reasons, and pain is a prominent one. A person has to take fentanyl to relieve pain, usually when other medications have proven ineffective at providing any measure of relief. The potency of fentanyl is almost guaranteed to provide the relief that some people need.

However, even taking fentanyl as prescribed, its potential for abuse and addiction is incredibly high. But addiction is not a certainty, and even if it does happen, it doesn’t have to be permanent.

At Liberty Home, we can offer the support that is needed to overcome addiction and help those who struggle with it build healthier, sober lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of Substance Addictions are Treated at Liberty Home Clinic?

We treat addictions to alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, crack, meth, marijuana, heroin, fentanyl, opioids, prescription drugs, synthetic drugs, Xanax, and LSD (hallucinogens).

Is Medication Management Provided at Liberty Home Clinic?

Yes, medication management is administered by a nurse.

How many Counselling Sessions do Patients Receive Per Week?

Patients receive 2-3 counselling sessions per week.

Can People Overdose on Fentanyl?

Yes, it is possible to overdose on fentanyl. Fentanyl overdoses are a major driver in the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Can Fentanyl Cause Stroke?

Fentanyl can cause cardiovascular distress, which can increase the risk of a stroke. Additionally, respiratory depression can lead to cerebral hypoxia, which can contribute to a stroke.