Do Fentanyl Addicts Recover? A Guide to Proper Recovery

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid with an extremely high risk of addiction. According to the American Addiction Center, it causes more than 150 overdose deaths daily. It is sometimes used to provide relief from chronic pain associated with cancer or after surgeries in small doses that are monitored by medical staff.

More recently, it has grown as an illicit drug on the black market. It is often laced with other drugs such as cocaine, meth, or heroin and has the highest overdose rate of any street drug.

Due to the nature of this deadly drug, watching a loved one struggle with a fentanyl addiction can be extremely distressing. However, there is hope for recovery. Understand the importance of how supervised detox and inpatient rehab can help you or a loved one recover from fentanyl addiction.  

The Fentanyl Problem In The US

Fentanyl has become a widespread problem affecting people in every state across America, drawing attention from lawmakers around the severity of this epidemic. In 2023, the US House of Representatives released a statement declaring this a crisis and that action has to be taken to address this issue through political action, legal processes, and healthcare policies.

Like other opioids, such as heroin, fentanyl increases dopamine activity in the pleasure center of the brain. This reinforces the addictive nature of fentanyl, making it almost impossible to quit without intervention and medical treatment. Users who become addicted to fentanyl often engage in uncontrollable use despite the long-term consequences and high risk of harm.

Although some users take fentanyl knowingly, many people with substance abuse take it without their knowledge. It has become a common additive among other illicit drugs on the street. Many of the overdose deaths associated with fentanyl are from heroin, cocaine, or meth being laced. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse:

• Over 500,000 individuals 12 and older misused prescription fentanyl.
• Over 120,000 drug-related ER visits were linked to fentanyl.
• Fentanyl is 50x more potent than heroin and 100x more potent than morphine.
• 75% of overdose deaths from heroin also involved fentanyl
• Over 105k people died from fentanyl in 2022

Fentanyl Medical Uses

Fentanyl has been used since the late 1960s by medical professionals. In highly supervised settings, it can be safe. It is often given through an injection or dripped in an IV solution at low doses.

It belongs to a group of medications known as “opioid analgesics,” acting on the central nervous system, dopamine, and opioid receptors to relieve pain.

Its two primary medical uses include:

• Treating chronic pain in cancer patients
• Relieving pain after surgery from a major physical trauma

Fentanyl Addiction Symptoms

Fentanyl can cause a user to become both psychologically and physically addicted to the drug. It can impact one’s mental state, physical health, and almost every other area of their life. The earlier one gets treated for fentanyl addiction, the more successful treatment outcomes can be. The signs include:

Physical Symptoms

• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Convulsions
• Flu-like symptoms
• Loss of appetite
• Drowsiness
• Small pinpoint pupils
• Loss of motor skills or muscle coordination
• Ulcers in the mouth or on the skin
• Marks on the arms or legs from injecting

Psychological Symptoms

• Impulses or cravings
• Increased tolerance to the drug
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Lack of motivation
• Loss of pleasure
• Impaired judgment
• Memory loss or confusion
• Trouble focusing
• Suicidal ideation

Behavioral Symptoms

• Isolation
• Inability to hold down a job
• Legal problems
• Lack of basic hygiene
• Slurred speech
• Declined performance at work or school
• Neglecting daily responsibilities
• Visiting multiple doctors to try and obtain prescriptions (“Dr.shopping”)
• Forging prescriptions

Signs of Fentanyl Overdose

Fentanyl users are at a high risk of overdose. When someone overdoses on fentanyl, this can cause their breathing to stop, decrease the amount of oxygen to the brain, and lead to coma or death. Fentanyl overdoses can be temporarily reversed by administering naloxone.

Naloxone binds to opioid receptors, blocking the effects of the drug. Emergency or healthcare professionals may administer it as an injection or nasal spray to buy time until they can get to the hospital. Many drug programs are beginning to distribute naloxone to prevent overdoses. 

Some of the signs of a fentanyl overdose include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Slow breathing
• Small or constricted pupils
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Blue lips or nails
• Cold, clammy skin
• Limp body and complete loss of motor skills

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Process

Fentanyl addiction is treated through a combination of medical interventions, inpatient rehab, and ongoing cognitive therapies to address use. Many fentanyl users struggle with underlying problems such as trauma, mental illness, homelessness, abuse, legal issues, or financial instability. All of these factors must be addressed during treatment in order to achieve long-term recovery.

Detox is the first step in recovering from fentanyl use. This requires stabilization and monitoring vitals in a medically supervised detox facility. Withdrawal from fentanyl can cause distressing and painful symptoms. These include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sweating or trembling
• Muscle pain
• Increased breathing & heart rate
• Runny nose, watery eyes, and other common cold symptoms
• Restlessness, irritability, aggression

After detox, fentanyl users should enter an inpatient rehab to increase the chances of long-term recovery and decrease the chances of relapse. Inpatient rehab provides a safe and structured place to work through triggers that drive their fentanyl use and develop the necessary coping skills to stay clean. They may participate in CBT, DBT, Group Therapy, and Recreational activities.

After inpatient rehab, having a solid aftercare plan is essential to preventing relapse as they transition back to everyday lives. This may include attending intensive outpatient services, a medication-assisted treatment program, or 12-steps. Counselors, case managers, and peer support specialists can also help during this time by assisting them in acquiring stable housing, employment opportunities, and ongoing mental health care.

Do Fentanyl Addicts Recover?

Although challenging, it is possible to recover from fentanyl. Recovery from fentanyl often lasts a lifetime, and addiction is a disease one has to fight every day to prevent relapse.

However, with proper treatment, the urges become less intense, and sobriety becomes easier. With proper mental health treatment, medications, financial stability, and a support network—recovery is possible.  

Due to the intensity & strength of fentanyl, the relapse rates are high. Some users may also unknowingly relapse on fentanyl if it is added to other drugs. Here are some stats on the recovery rates for individuals with fentanyl addiction:

• Users, on average, spend 7-8 years in active fentanyl addiction before getting treatment
• Around 2% of opioid users achieved recovery for up to 1-5 years.
• Most fentanyl users require long-term medication-assisted treatment (e.g., methadone) to achieve recovery

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in California

Located in Anaheim, Restorations Health Care provides life-saving treatment to individuals struggling with fentanyl addiction. Our mission is about saving lives and guiding people to a fulfilling life of sobriety.

We offer detox and inpatient treatment programs that help people get back on their feet, as well as outpatient rehab services to support aftercare & transition back to the community. Our dedicated team of addiction counselors provides individualized addiction treatment programs for recovery to support the unique needs of each of our patients. Reach out to our Admissions team now.