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Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in San Diego

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Young woman with fentanyl addiction contemplating rehab options

Fentanyl is a highly addictive opiate that is common and accessible.

At Refresh Recovery, we take fentanyl withdrawal seriously. Its rehab and proper treatment require knowledge of the substance, physical side effects, and a tailored approach for long-term recovery.

Higher Overdose Deaths Involving Synthetic Opiates in 2019 Compared to 2013

112%

Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for the pain management treatment of cancer patients and applied in a patch on the skin. It is a synthetic opioid 85-100 times stronger than morphine because of its powerful opioid properties, so it also gets diverted for abuse.

It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl.

Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency or be disguised as a more potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and ignore that they are getting fentanyl – which unfortunately results in overdose deaths. 

Some of its more common street names are Apace, China Town, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Tango & Cash, and Poison.

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Fentanyl Side Effects

Fentanyl is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges.

It produces effects such as relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, respiratory depression, and pupillary constriction.

The neural basis of fentanyl addiction

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat patients with severe pain. Roughly 35% of users eventually become addicted, significantly higher than that observed with psychostimulants such as meth or cocaine; therefore, the risk of death by overdose is exceptionally high. 

Fentanyl Overdoses

Rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, including fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, increased over 16% from 2018 to 2019. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids were nearly 12 times higher in 2019 than in 2013. Almost 40,000 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl in 2019. The latest provisional drug overdose death counts through May 2020 suggest accelerating overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government Actions to fight the Fentanyl Epidemic

The increase in fentanyl overdose deaths highlights the need to ensure people most at risk of overdose can access care, as well as the need to expand prevention and response activities. CDC has a Health Alert Network Advisory to medical and public health professionals, first responders, harm reduction organizations, and other community partners recommending the following actions as appropriate based on local needs and characteristics:

  1. Enhance distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention information.
  2. Expand awareness about access to and availability of treatment for substance use disorders.
  3. Intervene early with people with a fentanyl addiction at the highest risk for overdose.
  4. Improve detection of overdose outbreaks to respond more quickly.
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Treating Fentanyl Addiction in San Diego with Science

Fentanyl Addiction Rehab at Refresh Recovery San Diego

Refresh Recovery Rehab San Diego aims to fight the neural basis and side effects of fentanyl addiction and provide scientifically proven therapies in the face of the growing opioid overdose epidemic in the United States. Our substance use disorder clinicians have a deep understanding, compassion, and care for its rehabilitation.

If you or someone you care for is unfortunately addicted to fentanyl, contact Refresh Recovery Addiction Treatment Center in San Diego, California, to learn more about our rehab and outpatient programs. Mental health, such as depression and anxiety, is an element that Refresh Recovery provides specific attention to. Because drug and alcohol use disorders affect aspects of our psychology and behavior, we believe that dual diagnosis rehabilitation is essential for the long-term sobriety required. Whether fentanyl, benzos, or alcohol, we understand multi-substance use disorder and want to help you with no judgment.

Get the Highest Level of Fentanyl Addiction Rehab in San Diego

Let Us Provide You With Help Today

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