Opiate Related Addiction

Fentanyl is an extremely high-risk opiate substance that has gained global notoriety for its ability to destroy lives and cause long-lasting damage. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it has the highest mortality rate of any illegal substance. With over 40,000 overdose deaths recorded in 2021 alone, the spectacular damage caused by this prescription opioid is on the rise.

Like other opioids, fentanyl affects the brain in several ways, increasing the risk for a substance abuse problem. When fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain, it may cause extreme happiness, also known as a sense of euphoria. Some people want to experience this feeling over and over again, causing them to continue using fentanyl long after they need it. Over time, the brain doesn’t respond the same way to a small dose of fentanyl, prompting a user to take larger doses or mix the fentanyl with other substances. This causes the addiction to worsen.

Fentanyl affects everyone differently, so there’s no way to predict what will happen after taking a single dose of the drug. Some people feel tired and confused, while others experience dangerous physical side effects. Fentanyl is even more dangerous when combined with alcohol and other drugs. That’s why it’s so important to seek treatment for fentanyl abuse and other addictions.

People who use fentanyl regularly may experience nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, urinary retention and constriction of the pupils. In some cases, fentanyl causes respiratory depression, which slows down a person’s breathing rate and may lead to shortness of breath, headaches, or seizures. The psychological effects of fentanyl include euphoria, an immediate sense of relaxation and mental confusion.

Although many people experience a pleasant sense of euphoria while taking fentanyl, the drug also causes some undesirable side effects:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness

Whether it be illicit, harmful, or social, fentanyl abuse almost always has an array of effects on the body, mind, and behavior. While they might be subtle at first, over time it’ll become increasingly evident that someone has a fentanyl habit.

Let’s take a look at some physical, psychological and behavioral signs of alcohol addiction.

Fentanyl is the new boogeyman of the illegal drug world in Los Angeles because the synthetic opioid is incredibly powerful and in disguise.  It’s a drug that does not discriminate on race, religion, sex, or status.  It’s a drug with crosshairs, and it’s sadly here to stay.  Addiction, though, can be fought and beaten.  Don’t let the fear of fentanyl overcome you, or a loved one.  Work with a team that from day-one will address the roots of addiction, enabling long-term success.  

Unlike other addiction treatment centers in Los Angeles, Spark to Recovery offers multiple programs and works with nearly all insurances in California.  Spark to Recovery DOES NOT accept Medi-Cal, Medicare or Medicaid.  

Here are the practices we put forward for our patients and how you can overcome your addiction to fentanyl.  

Spark to Recovery offers personalized treatment for fentanyl abuse and other types of addiction. Our treatment center is a home away from home for people recovering from substance use disorder, as we have a team of experienced addiction specialists available to provide counseling, medication-assisted treatment and other services. Patients receive gourmet meals and have regular opportunities to exercise and meditate, ensuring their bodies are strong enough to recover from opioid use disorder. Every treatment plan is customized to include the therapeutic interventions most likely to help a patient overcome fentanyl dependency.

Spark to Recovery offers the following treatment types at its residential fentanyl treatment facility:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Addiction-related medical care
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders
• Medication management

Our residential treatment programs also include holistic treatment options to bring your body and mind into alignment. Addiction is a mental illness, but it can also have significant physical consequences and make it difficult to understand your life’s purpose. Alternative Therapies focus on experiential activities designed to improve each patient’s self-awareness and help them heal from their addictions.

At our fentanyl addiction treatment program in the LA Valley, you’ll learn new coping mechanisms, gain a more profound understanding of what motivates and triggers you and find out what drives drug or alcohol addiction. We offer compassionate care to patients with addictions to fentanyl and other substances. If you’re ready to stop using fentanyl, repair broken relationships and take complete control of your life, call today to speak with one of our admissions coordinators. Help is just a phone call away.