A man discovered fentanyl at a party during his teenage years. He had been using it for many years with his friends. Bags of white powder and syringes filled his upper-class apartment building. His family had distanced themselves from him, but he continued to use. He never thought about how fentanyl impacted his life or the people he pushed away because of it. That was until a friend of his died from an overdose. Now, he wonders if fentanyl has impacted his life more than he initially believed. He wonders if, by using fentanyl, he is putting more at risk than he had originally thought.
He’s not the only one who has lost someone because of a fentanyl overdose. In 2021, 437 people died from fentanyl use in the Tampa area of Florida. Tranquil Shores provides trauma-informed individual therapy that includes weekly psychiatric visits and full-time nursing staff that will help you through fentanyl use treatment. But what are the signs of fentanyl addiction? How can you know if you or a loved one has a fentanyl use disorder?
Signs of Fentanyl Use Disorder
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50-100 times stronger than heroin and morphine. It can be found in eye droppers, nasal sprays, patches, white or brown powders, and pills resembling Xanax. It can also exist as brightly colored pills or powders that appear to be candy or chalk. If a loved one uses fentanyl, you may find unidentified pills or powder in their possession.
Fentanyl Behavioral Changes
When someone uses fentanyl, they will begin to change their behaviors. They might appear to be different from the person that you knew before they were introduced to fentanyl. This can include a change in their attitude if they contact you, or they might avoid contact altogether. Sometimes, this can manifest in expressions of irritability, moodiness, or anxiety. Isolation is also a standard change for those who are partaking in fentanyl. They might change who their friends are or participate in activities and hobbies they haven’t previously participated in. They sometimes engage in illicit behaviors such as theft, homicide, or property damage. They might also lie or steal from their loved ones. Their intentions are not to hurt those they care about, but fentanyl has taken over their lives.
Fentanyl Physical Changes
Your loved ones might also experience physical changes when they are participating in the use of fentanyl. Many people lose their appetite, which results in weight loss. They will try to hide their fentanyl use, including wearing long sleeves or clothing that covers the areas where they have injected fentanyl. They might also have small pinpoint pupils, decreased breathing, or appear to be getting drowsy, which are often signs of an overdose. These can include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, shaky hands, and sweating.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Fentanyl withdrawal is when people stop their use of fentanyl. This should only be done under medical supervision, as complications can occur. Complications with fentanyl withdrawal can include worsening depression that leads to suicide, aspiration from vomiting and then breathing it into the lungs, and a return to using fentanyl due to intense cravings. While there is only a slight chance of all of these things happening, it is still possible. These symptoms can include:
- Sleep problems such as insomnia
- Cold flashes
- Intense cravings
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Goosebumps
- Diarrhea
Typically, fentanyl withdrawal starts within 8-24 hours after your last dose. Symptoms will typically last for 4-10 days. They will be at their highest intensity around 48 hours. While undergoing withdrawal symptoms, it might seem unnerving to receive treatment and experience these symptoms, but it is necessary in the recovery process. Withdrawal symptoms occur because the body has become used to fentanyl. However, it is also essential for your body to remove fentanyl from your system. When you enter treatment, it means you no longer have to handle withdrawals alone. This increases your chances of avoiding a return to use. Which, in turn, prevents an overdose from occurring.
Risks of Fentanyl Use
The most significant risk of fentanyl is overdose. Overdose can happen knowingly or unknowingly. Often, dealers will mix fentanyl with other substances, such as heroin, because it decreases the costs associated with it and increases the substance’s supply. To offset the lower amounts of the original substance, fentanyl is added to increase its effects. It is impossible to tell if a substance has fentanyl, increasing the risk of experiencing an overdose. The only way to know if a substance you are taking has fentanyl is to use fentanyl test strips. As of July 2023, fentanyl test strips are now legal in Florida.
Some symptoms of fentanyl overdose include:
- Pinpoint pupils
- Coma
- Slow breathing
- Clammy skin
- Blue skin or nails
- Limp body
If someone is experiencing an overdose, they must call 911 immediately because an overdose is a medical emergency. If someone you love uses fentanyl or other substances that could potentially have fentanyl in them, you should get Narcan, which is available without a prescription in Florida. Narcan can be used to reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose.
Receiving treatment is the best way to recover from fentanyl use, and recovering from fentanyl is the best way to avoid a fentanyl overdose. Recovery from fentanyl addiction can be both terrifying and invigorating. Remember that recovery from fentanyl is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Get Treatment for Fentanyl Use Disorder Today!
Tranquil Shores is committed to your recovery in Madeira Beach, FL. Our 3:1 client-to-counselor ratio allows us to focus on you and the recovery you deserve throughout your entire journey with us. For more information about our fentanyl use treatment, call us today at 727-391-7001.
FAQs About the Signs of Fentanyl Addiction
What are common behaviors of Fentanyl Addiction?
There are several ways to know if someone is using fentanyl. These can include seeing small physical bags of brown or white powder or colorful pills that look like medication or like other medications such as Xanax. Other objects familiar to those who use fentanyl are syringes and burned spoons. Changes in behavior are also shared with those who use fentanyl. They might become irritable, anxious, or moody, but they might also decide to isolate themselves from other people to hide their fentanyl use. Changes in friend groups are common, as are choosing to participate in activities and hobbies that were not common to them before fentanyl use. Their fentanyl use might also cause them to participate in illicit behaviors.
What is rainbow Fentanyl?
Rainbow fentanyl is a pill that appears to be colorful candy. It is used to target children and young adults. There does not seem to be a connection between the different colors in comparison to each other, and all forms and colors are hazardous.
Is it possible to tell if candy or other substances have been laced with fentanyl?
The only way to tell if something has been laced with fentanyl is with fentanyl test strips. This is because fentanyl has no taste, smell, or other distinguishing characteristics. As of July 2023, fentanyl test strips became legal in Florida.
