Fentanyl is a type of opioid that is much stronger than morphine and oxycodone. This drug not only has a significant potential for addiction, but it can also come with a high risk of overdosing. If you’re living with a dependence on this powerful opioid, your life could depend on beginning a fentanyl addiction treatment program.
But how long does fentanyl stay in your system, and what kind of long-term effects can it have on your health and overall quality of life? Here is everything you need to know about fentanyl abuse, why the drug is so dangerous, and how the team at Promises Behavioral Health can help as you begin your recovery.
Understanding Fentanyl Abuse
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid analgesic typically used to treat pain in those recovering from surgeries or undergoing cancer treatment. Because fentanyl is so potent, however, it can be easy for it to cause dependence and then an addiction.
The way fentanyl impacts the brain is the same as other opioids. It binds to the body’s opioid receptors, which are in areas of the brain that control emotions and pain.
Fentanyl causes feelings of euphoria while diminishing any sense of distress. However, it can also cause symptoms such as:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Euphoria
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Problems breathing
- Unconsciousness
Over time, the body’s opioid receptors can become less sensitive to fentanyl, leading you to need to take more of it to feel the same effects. That can put you at risk of overdosing.
A common question people have is, “How long does fentanyl stay in your system?” Everything from your weight to your tolerance level can impact how quickly you process it, but the drug itself generally doesn’t stay in your system for longer than a few days. This doesn’t mean going through withdrawal will be simple, however.
Because your body is used to functioning with fentanyl in its system, it can struggle to regulate itself if you abruptly stop consuming it. You can experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, depression, anxiety, chills, and a spike in blood pressure.
The Long-Term Effects of Fentanyl
Even if the drug doesn’t stay in your body for a long time, addiction to fentanyl can lead to a number of health issues. Because it causes severe constipation, people can suffer life-threatening bowel obstructions. You can also have trouble breathing while you sleep, potentially causing you to stop breathing altogether.
You may stop feeling pleasure in anything but fentanyl. Because the opioid receptors in your brain become less reactive, you can develop depression and other mood disorders.
Additionally, fentanyl, like other drugs, can impact the areas of the brain that deal with distress tolerance and emotional regulation. This means that you can suffer severe mood swings, as well as anxiety.
Another impact that fentanyl can have on your body is that it causes dry mouth. Over time, not being able to produce adequate amounts of saliva, which has antibacterial properties, could mean tooth decay and gum disease.
Fentanyl addiction can also cause reproductive issues and lower libido in both men and women. Men can develop erectile dysfunction, as well. Your heart may be weakened by fentanyl, putting you at risk of heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular issues.
Fentanyl can even affect your brain health. It can cause significant inflammation in your cerebral cortex and lead to white matter injuries, impacting your cognitive function.
Get Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Promises Behavioral Health Today
If you have an addiction to fentanyl, the most important step you can take is to begin a treatment program. With professionals helping you, you can safely go through the detoxification process and start receiving the individual and group therapy sessions you need to uncover what led to the addiction.
At Promises Behavioral Health, we provide both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs that can address all manner of addictions as well as mental health conditions. We understand how difficult beginning the path to sobriety is, and we can support you at every step. Contact Promises Behavioral Health at 844.875.5609 or fill out our online contact form to get started today.