Fentanyl is a very powerful painkiller belonging to morphine-like drugs. Fentanyl is addictive. The drug is as much as 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Uncontrolled use of the ‘synthetic brother of heroin’ is therefore not without danger.
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a morphine-like painkiller similar to narcotics such as heroin. Only Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin. The active ingredient in Fentanyl induces feelings of relaxation by blocking pain receptors and induces euphoria by increasing dopamine levels. The drug occurs mainly in the form of patches, but also as (lozenges) tablets and nasal spray.
Fentanyl belongs to the family of opiates. These are painkillers prescribed for pain syndromes. They are very strong analgesics and are used only in severe pain. Other members of the opiate family include codeine, heroin, morphine and opium.
The drug is prescribed to treat acute and chronic pain such as recovery from surgery, cancer treatment and breakthrough pain. This is for patients who still experience pain despite having already received high doses of a less potent opioid such as morphine or oxycodone.
How does fentanyl work?
Fentanyl is normally prescribed for very severe and chronic pain. Consider, for example, the severe pain resulting from surgery or pain occurring during cancer treatment. In addition, this drug is given when someone is in the last stage of life. The drug is really only suitable for people where paracetamol or slightly more powerful painkillers do not help or do not help enough. The problem with fentanyl is that in addition to its powerful analgesic effect, it also has a narcotic and euphoric effect. Especially the latter causes the use of this drug as a hard drug to increase.
Causes of fentanyl abuse
The following are some risk factors for abusing fentanyl:
- genetics and a history of substance misuse in the family
- a background of drug or alcohol misuse
- Traumatic events from the past or the present
- psychiatric illnesses that are not treated
- Social factors
Fentanyl abuse can occur without the user becoming addicted, but continued use increases the chance of severe and even fatal addiction.
Tolerance and dependance
Fentanyl can develop tolerance, like all opioids, where more of the drug is needed to produce the same effects. Because of this, users need to use more fentanyl to get the same effects, which exposes them to even more harmful side effects.
When fentanyl is used repeatedly, dependence may develop. When the body needs the medicine to operate normally, it is said to be dependent. If a user stops using the substance after becoming dependent, withdrawal symptoms may develop. Even if you become dependent, you can still beat your addiction, especially with support from kind experts.
Overdose
A synthetic opioid 50–100 times more potent than morphine is called fentanyl. It functions similarly to other opioids by attaching to opioid receptors in parts of the brain that regulate pain. Users become addicted to the substance as their brains become accustomed to it.
Unfortunately, fentanyl overdoses are frequent. Addiction can develop very fast from using the synthetic opioid. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms make stopping a difficult task due to the significant physical reliance that is produced when it is used. Without proper medical attention, rehabilitation, and subsequent actions, relapse is all but certain (e.g., support groups).
Withdrawal symptoms
Because fentanyl is so potent, overdose situations involving it can be fatal. Because withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, some addicts may believe that recovery is impossible. These are the most common withdrawal symptoms:
- Dysphoric mood
- Intense cravings for more fentanyl
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Dilated pupils
- Diarrhea
- Aching muscles
- Fever
Treatments at Villa Paradiso Spain
Many years of experience and exceptional results confirm that our addiction treatment works. In addition to the highest standards of professional treatment and personal support, we include a range of optional activities to help refocus mind, body and soul.
All of these elements come together with highly effective psychotherapy to break the shackles and allow you to live free of addiction. Activities during your stay are not only fun, but they also help to strengthen and heal, along with healthy meals that we guarantee will satisfy even the more demanding taste buds.
A central element of our addiction treatment is absolute privacy and discretion, which is why Villa Paradiso Spain in Marbella is preferred by people who seek anonymity and a place in which to be at ease and focus on taking back control of their lives. We offer this without compromise within a beautiful, relaxed and sunny environment.
