Fentanyl Rehab

At Buckhead Behavioral Health, we’ve designed our fentanyl rehab in Atlanta to help people move past this dangerous addiction. Fentanyl addiction has swept the country, becoming a real problem that impacts a person’s physical and mental health. We provide outpatient plans that allow people to understand their addiction and how to overcome it. We treat the person as a whole, improving their physical and mental health. They leave fentanyl in the past and learn to live sober lives again.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is classified as a synthetic opioid, making it part of the opioid epidemic that affects so many people in the U.S. Synthetic opioids comprise the most common types of drugs involved in drug overdose deaths. Developed in the late 1950s, fentanyl is prescribed as a pain reliever, usually for those suffering from severe pain. This includes chronic, post-surgical, and end-of-life pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.

While many opioid drugs require access to the poppy plant, fentanyl can be created synthetically. Because of this, it is often manufactured for the purpose of selling illegally without a prescription. Addiction can happen quickly, making fentanyl rehab in Atlanta a necessity to overcome this potentially deadly substance use disorder.  Common fentanyl street names most young people are familiar with include China white and China girl.

History of Fentanyl

While most people might think fentanyl is a newer synthetic drug, they are surprised when they learn fentanyl was first created in 1959 in a laboratory. After several clinical trials, the drug was approved for use in the 1960s as an anesthetic.

It was not discovered until the 1990s that fentanyl also had pain-relieving properties similar to morphine. However, once that discovery was made, it was only a matter of time before fentanyl was available in pills, patches, and lollipops.

The Dangers of Fentanyl

Oftentimes, fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, including heroin, methamphetamines, and cocaine. Someone taking the drug may not know the dangerous combination they are ingesting, putting them at an increased risk of overdosing and even dying. Those who are new to trying fentanyl may not understand the potency of the drug.

Even those who have used it before cannot predict the ingredients in any sample they take. They may also think it’s comparable to similar opioids, not knowing how much more powerful it proves to be. Even fentanyl sold legally via prescription falls under the heading of a Schedule II drug in the U.S. This means it has a huge potential for addiction, and its use should be monitored by a doctor.

Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction

When someone becomes addicted to fentanyl, they may not know it. Certain signs and symptoms usually occur, which indicates a fentanyl rehab in Atlanta may be necessary. Signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction to look out for include:

Options for Fentanyl Rehab

Several options exist for receiving help overcoming fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. No one should dry to detox from it without professional help, as the process requires medical supervision. For those just starting the process of getting off the drug, they begin with a detox program. From there, some enter a residential facility. These require the person to live in a facility during the initial treatment.

Fentanyl rehab in Atlanta offers several options for outpatient services. With each choice, the person attends treatment during the day, then returns home at night. This allows them to receive a broad range of addiction therapies while still being able to enjoy living at home. Options for outpatient treatment include:

Outpatient Programming (OP): OP programs require varying amounts of time attending sessions. Depending on the person’s needs, it can range from one to three days per week, for several hours per week. The focus is often on talk therapy and can include preparing a person for post-treatment life.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): A lot of people need a bit more than a regular OP program but do not require PHP. For them, IOP provides the right amount of intensive treatment to help them move past their addiction. Each person attends sessions three to four days a week, with each session lasting approximately three hours. We also have virtual IOP options as well.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHP provides a great deal of structure and support similar to that of residential programs. People attend sessions from three to five days per week for several hours per day. Typical therapies include individual, group, family, and holistic. PHP provides a great bridge between detox or residential and a regular outpatient program.

Risks of Using Fentanyl

Fentanyl, when used properly and under a doctor’s supervision, can provide many benefits. Sadly, use often turns to abuse, which puts a person at great risk. Addiction can happen quickly, whether the individual has a prescription or obtains the drug through illegal channels.

The brain naturally produces feel-good chemicals like endorphins. They create feelings of joy and other positive emotions. Fentanyl addiction interrupts this process. It binds itself to the body’s opioid receptors, which causes the brain to cease to naturally produce the chemicals. Because of this, the person becomes reliant on fentanyl to produce them. Before they know it, their need for the drug becomes a full-blown addiction.

Benefits of Fentanyl Rehab in Atlanta

Attending fentanyl rehab in Atlanta provides many benefits for someone who needs to get sober. Most people who try to overcome a fentanyl addiction on their own end up failing. A rehab program provides the support and guidance that help a person cross the finish line into recovery. It provides several valuable services and opportunities for anyone struggling with fentanyl addiction. These include: