Does your loved one not seem like themselves? Maybe your child comes home late at night and they’re confused and disoriented. Maybe they seem totally checked out of what’s happening around them, or extra drowsy. Maybe, instead of a child, it’s your friend. Has this been going on for a while? It’s natural to be worried, and it’s possible something bigger is going on.
If you’re worried that your loved one is using substances, one of the most dangerous is fentanyl. Fentanyl is not inherently bad. It’s an opioid that’s 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, and it’s used legally for severe pain, such as cases of major trauma, nerve damage, or cancer. The problem is, fentanyl is often used illegally, and one of the fentanyl side effects is impossible to ignore: it’s now the leading cause of overdose deaths in the country. Tampa Bay’s rate of overdose deaths is 50.5% higher than the rest of the country, too.
Statistics like that can be frightening, but we at Tranquil Shores have seen many people managing a fentanyl use disorder recover fully and go on to live healthy lives. We have a 3:1 client to therapist ratio, and a huge factor in recovery is weekly, personalized visits from our doctors and psychiatrists. Even more important to recovery, though, is support from people that love and care for those with fentanyl use disorder.
The first step in providing adequate support is identifying that your loved one has a problem. Understanding the side effects of fentanyl will help you recognize the signs of addiction in those around you, and will also equip you with knowledge necessary to help them. Even if you yourself are the one using fentanyl, it’s important to understand the impact it can have on bodies and lives, and this article will delve into just that.
Short-Term Effects of Fentanyl
Fentanyl, especially when injected intravenously, has effects that are almost immediate. The most noticeable, and most sought after, are relief from pain, relaxation, and euphoria. This can make fentanyl and other opioids seem appealing, but there are also more unpleasant effects that kick in quickly, including:
- Confusion
- Slowed breathing
- Sedation
- Small pupils
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Fentanyl’s short-term effects tend to only last for up to a few hours, though the longevity depends on each individual and how the fentanyl is administered.
Long-Term Effects of Fentanyl
Continued use of fentanyl can have long-term negative effects on the body. Some long-term effects include:
- Respiratory problems
- Anxiety, depression, and other mood problems
- Hormonal and reproductive problems
- Heart issues
- Sexual dysfunction
- Chronic constipation
- Increased risk of bone fractures
- Immune suppression
Another huge long-term effect of fentanyl use is building a tolerance to its effects. The more you use fentanyl, the more you’ll need to take to induce the same feelings you felt when you initially began using it. This can be incredibly dangerous, because while you may feel like you’ve built up a sort of immunity, your body actually hasn’t. It still processes fentanyl at the same speed as it always has. This is one of the primary reasons for fentanyl overdoses.
Common Side Effects of Fentanyl
As with any medication, there are plenty of side effects that come with fentanyl, no matter how you take it or what you take it for. Some common side effects are back pain, diarrhea, constipation, depression, grogginess, joint pain, sleep problems, trouble concentrating, and weight loss.
There are also serious side effects that aren’t uncommon. These include anxiety, black stool, blurred vision, breathing complications, chest pain or tightness, decreased urine, dizziness, fever, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, mouth sores, muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, sore throat, sunken eyes, swelling, and unusual tiredness or weakness. If you or a loved one experience any of these side effects, it is highly recommended that you contact a doctor right away.
Side effects related to breathing, digestion, and mood tend to be the most common.
Rare Side Effects of Fentanyl
Some people experience rarer side effects of fentanyl as well, so it’s important to be aware of even the uncommon ones. Some rare side effects of fentanyl use are balance changes, clumsiness, decreased frequency in urination, hallucinations, slow or fast heartbeat, lack of awareness or responsiveness, muscle twitching, pounding in the ears, seizures, and trembling.
The best thing to do is pay careful attention to your body after taking fentanyl, because a side effect not being on this list doesn’t mean it’s unrelated to the fentanyl in your system. If you’re looking for the signs of illicit fentanyl use in a loved one, though, these rare side effects, especially without the presence of more common ones, are probably not enough to go by.
Fentanyl’s Impact on the Brain: More Than a Feeling
Fentanyl, and all opioids, work by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors are located in parts of the brain related to pain and emotion, so that’s why opioids impact pain and emotion so strongly. Fentanyl also activates neural pathways in the brain that release a rush of dopamine, a “feel good” neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and motivation.
People often turn to substance misuse due to their own mental health concerns, because it does provide a temporary “relief” from pain, both from an emotional and physical standpoint. The brain operates in ways that conserve as much energy as possible, so after a while, neural pathways in your brain change, and your brain recognizes fentanyl use as “the easiest option,” which can make stopping fentanyl extra difficult. Additionally, the brain’s constant exposure to high levels of dopamine will cause it to reduce the number of dopamine receptors to cope. All of this often results in feelings of even deeper depression in daily life, which, in a vicious cycle, leads to a deeper desire for the opioid. Long term fentanyl use can contribute to many mental health conditions, and in some cases even brings about suicidal ideation.
Fentanyl also inhibits neurons in the brain responsible for breathing, which is why breathing complications, and sometimes death, can occur with fentanyl use.
Fentanyl Hallucinations: A Real Thing?
They’re uncommon, but hallucinations can occur in as many as 6% of those using fentanyl, though they most often occur in people with other health conditions. If fentanyl-induced hallucinations do happen, they’re most often auditory or visual hallucinations, and typically occur with high doses of opioids.
Fentanyl’s Impact on the Body: How it Changes Your Lifestyle
Over time, fentanyl use can drastically change your lifestyle. The sleep disruptions that sometimes come with fentanyl use leads to tiredness during the day, which causes difficulty accomplishing tasks that you might’ve been able to do with a better night’s sleep. Fentanyl’s effects on breathing can make physical activity harder, and anyone with a fentanyl use disorder hoping to have children may find themselves with reproductive issues.
Fentanyl withdrawals are also an issue for those that use fentanyl long term, and the desire to curb them can make it seem like their lives revolve around finding and taking fentanyl.
In the worst case, fentanyl use can cause overdose. If you or someone you know is experiencing fentanyl overdose, seek medical help immediately. The Good Samaritan Act in Florida ensures there will be no legal trouble for those seeking help in the case of a fentanyl overdose.
How Can You Cope With the Side Effects of Fentanyl?
Many of the side effects of fentanyl are painful in their own right, despite fentanyl being prescribed to treat pain. If you experience side effects that interfere with your life, the most important thing to do is get in contact with the doctor that prescribed it.
It may be helpful for anyone taking fentanyl, whether for medical or illicit reasons, to have Naloxone on hand. Naloxone is an emergency medication that binds to opioid receptors and can block the effects of other opioids. This can reverse the effects of an overdose, but its effects don’t last long, so further medical treatment for an overdose is required. Naloxone is currently available over the counter in nasal spray form, and is a good investment in case of emergencies.
If you are experiencing fentanyl side effects due to illicit use, it’s understandably a lot harder to find help. Luckily, there is help out there.
Getting Treatment for Fentanyl Side Effects in Florida
If you or someone you love is living with a fentanyl addiction, the situation can feel overwhelming, if not dire. It may be difficult to imagine life without fentanyl at all, let alone a life that will be fulfilling. The most important thing to know is that recovery is possible, and that people with fentanyl addictions can overcome it to live happy and healthy lives.
It’s actually getting into treatment that can be the difficult part. If your loved one is living with a fentanyl use disorder, it will require empathy to get them the help they need, and reading this article is a good first step. You already know more now than you did before, and are more equipped to help now than ever.
At Tranquil Shores, we help people recover from fentanyl addiction every day through our therapy-based residential program. For more information on how we can help, call us at 727-591-4119. We are committed to your recovery.
FAQs
Why is fentanyl so popular?
Fentanyl bonds to the opioid receptors in your brain, sending out a rush of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter serotonin through your neural pathways. This induces a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. The effects of fentanyl can also be felt quickly. Fentanyl is also cheaper to make than other opioids. All of these factors make it appealing for illicit use.
