Fentanyl Signs, Symptoms, & Effects

Over the past few years, deaths from fentanyl have been climbing to the top of the list of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. A synthetic opioid classified by the DEA as a schedule II drug with high potential for abuse and addiction, fentanyl is medically prescribed to treat cancer pain or severe pain in people who’ve undergone surgeries. Fentanyl shows up illegally on the streets in its original form or as a cutting agent for heroin, cocaine, and meth and has become its own epidemic within the larger opioid epidemic.

Fentanyl brand names include Actiq, Fentora, and Duragesic. Doctors prescribe fentanyl in pill form, as a liquid, or as a transdermal patch. Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than heroin and 50 times more potent than morphine. This not only makes it more addictive than other drugs, but it increases the risk of overdose. For instance, if you don’t know that the heroin you bought has been cut with fentanyl, you’d likely use your regular dose of heroin. A much smaller amount of fentanyl can cause an overdose because it’s so strong. You can easily go into respiratory distress because your body is unable to process fentanyl as quickly as it does other drugs.

Signs of Fentanyl Abuse in a Loved One

There’s nothing quite as scary as seeing a loved one caught up in a dangerous cycle of addiction. If you’re concerned that your loved one is taking fentanyl other than as prescribed or buying it illegally and has become addicted, look for these signs that they’re addicted to fentanyl:

Visiting several different doctors (known as doctor shopping)
Finding hidden prescription bottles or several empty prescription bottles in the trash
Appearing confused or foggy frequently
Complaints of headaches or stomach issues
Taking prescribed fentanyl differently than as instructed
Finding fentanyl patches that have been broken open (some fentanyl abusers will take the gel from transdermal patches, mix it with liquids, and inject it)
Unsteadiness or dizziness
Nodding out (a state of semi-consciousness that looks like sleep)
Mood swings
Slurred speech
Changes in personal hygiene
Changes in weight and eating habits
Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed
Trouble at work or school or frequent absences

Opioid addiction is serious and life-threatening. If you’re seeing some of these behaviors in your loved ones, it’s important to get them the help they need. You can discuss your concerns with them, encourage them to speak to their doctor, or have an intervention. Call us if you need a referral to an interventionist or help to determine the best way to get your loved one into treatment: 844.928.0292.

Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction

The only way to take fentanyl safely is under the close supervision of a doctor. If you’re taking fentanyl other than as medicine to treat pain as prescribed, you have a problem.

Here are some common signs of fentanyl addiction:

Taking higher doses of fentanyl than prescribed
Taking fentanyl more frequently than prescribed
Unable to decrease or quit taking fentanyl
Needing fentanyl to feel normal or function during your day
Legal or financial trouble tied to drug use
Needing increasing amounts of fentanyl to get the same effect
Preoccupied with using fentanyl or getting more of it
Continuing to take fentanyl despite adverse effects to your health, relationships, and quality of life
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t take fentanyl
Extreme mood swings
Depression and anxiety
Engaging in dangerous activities while on fentanyl that put you or others at risk for injury or death
Seeing multiple doctors to get more fentanyl
Withdrawal from family and friends
Hallucinations or delusions
Loss of interest in activities that once brought you pleasure

Short-Term Effects of Fentanyl Abuse

Short-term effects of fentanyl can include the high it provides when abused as well as common side effects of the drug. The short-term effects of fentanyl depend on how much you’ve taken, how you took it (i.e., pill, fentanyl patch, etc.), and your individual physical and psychological makeup.

Short-term fentanyl effects may include:

Relaxation
Euphoria
Emotional “warmth”
Sleepiness
Mood and perception changes
Muscle weakness or rigidness
Constipation and stomach pain
Dry mouth
Skin rashes (in cases of allergic reaction)
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion
Pinpoint pupils
Shallow breathing
Slurred speech

Long-Term Effects of Fentanyl Abuse

Abusing opioids like fentanyl can have serious side effects that put you at increased risk for long-term physical and psychological damage. Some of these include:

Changes to the brain that can cause mental health disorders
Damage to the frontal lobe of the brain, hindering spatial awareness, memory, and attention
More sensitivity to pain (opioid-induced hyperalgesia)
Increasing your risk for heart failure, heart attack, and low blood pressure
Worsening asthma and other respiratory conditions
Slowing breathing down so much that your brain is depleted of oxygen and you are at high risk for overdose
Gastrointestinal damage like bowel obstructions, intestinal holes, and inflamed stomach tissues
Increasing your risk for illness and infection by suppressing your T and B immune cells

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’re addicted to fentanyl, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. Withdrawal from opioid drugs can be painful and dangerous and should always take place in a medical setting. Withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone but may include:

Sweating
Vomiting
Nausea
Diarrhea
Muscle cramps and aches
Cravings
Agitation
Insomnia
Chills
Runny nose and other flu-like symptoms
Increased sensitivity to pain
Changes in heart rate
Low blood pressure

Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose

Because of its potency, fentanyl overdose can happen quickly — even seconds or minutes after taking the toxic amount. People using drugs like heroin or cocaine that have been cut with fentanyl are at increased risk for overdose because they unknowingly ingest more opioids than their bodies can process.

Symptoms of overdose from fentanyl include:

Loss of consciousness
Clammy or cold skin
Low blood pressure
Constricted pupils
Vomiting
Grayish or blue skin
Going limp
Shallow breathing

How Do You Treat Fentanyl Addiction?

Opioid use disorders are treated medically and behaviorally. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combined with behavioral therapies and relapse prevention training have proven to be an effective approach to treating opioid addictions. MATs like buprenorphine and naltrexone attach to the opioid receptors in the brain in the same way as fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs. They help prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms that distract you from focusing on the treatment you need to get better.

Opioid addiction treatment begins with medical detox. You’ll receive 24/7 medical attention while you safely eliminate drugs and alcohol from your system. Detox may include a taper schedule as well as medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Nurses will monitor your comfort level and vitals around the clock.

Following detox, a formal treatment program will help you address the reasons behind your substance abuse and learn healthy coping skills for long-term recovery. Addiction treatment may include:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Trauma therapies like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Treatment for co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety
Alternative approaches such as mindfulness, yoga, chiropractic services, and art and music therapy
Continuing care planning

Looking for Help?

Opioid addictions are difficult to overcome, but recovery is very possible with the right treatment and determination to get better. If you or a loved one is struggling, reach out. We’ll provide a free, confidential consultation. We’ll talk about what’s been going on and work together to find the best treatment program and location for you.

References

Medically Reviewed by Lindsay Hutchison, MS, LPC, LCADC