Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl, or Fentora, is primarily prescribed to treat severe 'breakout' pain, or pain that is sudden and surges above and beyond ongoing mild or moderate chronic pain. Often associated with cancer treatment, Fentanyl is a narcotic or opiate-based painkiller and highly addictive, not just physically but psychologically as well.

What is Fentanyl Addiction?

When your body comes to depend upon a dose of Fentanyl when you have breakthrough pain, it becomes unable to handle the pain alone. More specifically, if you stop taking Fentanyl, your body revolts and goes into withdrawal. You can experience physical symptoms that include nausea and vomiting, cold sweats, shaking and tremors, restlessness and insomnia. This physical dependence is a symptom of Fentanyl addiction. If you find yourself craving the drug, wanting more than you're supposed to take or trying to supplement its effect with other substances, these are signs of psychological addiction.

What Causes Fentanyl Addiction?

Fentanyl is an incredibly high maintenance prescription. Unlike other pills that you can swallow or dissolve under your tongue, this drug should only be removed from its blister pack immediately before you take it and taken by placing it behind your back tooth between your gums and your cheek. It can take as long as 25 minutes to dissolve and only after a half hour has passed are you allowed to swallow any remaining bits with a glass of water. If you need a second dose, you have to wait 30 minutes after the starting the first dose and repeat the whole process.

You are limited to two doses per onset of pain, and it's difficult to stick to those limits. This is partially why it is so easy to become addicted to Fentanyl: rather than taking a certain amount of the drug at regular times throughout the day, you are left to your own devices to decide when and how much you need to control breakthrough pain. Psychologically, this can wreak havoc on your mind. Physically, your body bears the brunt as well: a number of long-term health problems can develop as a result of ongoing use.

What are the Consequences of Fentanyl Addiction?

An addiction to Fentanyl can be extremely hazardous to your health. Avoid treatment by maintaining the addiction and you risk kidney failure, liver failure and respiratory issues. Try and quit without the help of a medical professional and you will suffer from debilitating withdrawal symptoms that could cause serious complications if you have other medical disorders. Once you realize that you are addicted to your Fentanyl prescription, the best thing to do is to take care of it as quickly as possible.

At Meditox, we have a Fentanyl treatment program that is perfect for those who have family and work commitments that they must keep.

How Does Meditox Treat Fentanyl Addiction?

Meditox is unique in that it treats Fentanyl addiction with a personalized treatment plan and a prescription for the FDA-approved drug Suboxone. You can avoid inpatient residential treatment programs and debilitating withdrawal symptoms when you take advantage of the outpatient treatment provided by Meditox.

If you feel that Meditox might be the right solution for you or your loved one, please call us for a toll-free and private consultation:

Additional Resources

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements: Substitution pharmacotherapies for opioid addiction

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“Today is week #5! I have my life back, this morning my husband told me he hadn't seen me like this in three years! My daughter told me "your back Mom"! My Fybromyalgia is down to 2 to 3 percent of what it was, I am fully able to live with the Joy and Love and Laughter which has always been my way.”

Mother, Real Estate Agent, 49
August 11, 2006

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