The Golden State has seen a new kind of rush, but this one is far from the promise of dreams fulfilled and riches untold. It’s the alarming rise of fentanyl addiction.
This potent synthetic opioid has led to a significant number of overdose fatalities and remains a serious threat to individuals across the United States. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confiscated more than 79.5 million fake pills containing fentanyl. Additionally, nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder were seized.
The impact of fentanyl addiction has had long-lasting effects on families and communities, as fentanyl-related overdoses have resulted in the loss of numerous lives. Golden Gate Recovery’s fentanyl and heroin rehab center is a specialized detox facility that serves the needs of men healing from opioid addiction. Our team is committed to assisting those struggling with opioid abuse, and we know exactly how fentanyl can damage the body. We are determined to play a role in reducing fentanyl overdose rates and bringing healing to affected individuals and their loved ones.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid medication that was developed in 1959 by the company Janssen Pharmaceutica to find safer and more effective alternatives to existing pain medications. In the 1990s, fentanyl patches were invented with the intent of helping to treat chronic pain. From there, other systems of delivery were introduced over time.
Fentanyl is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Doctors prescribe fentanyl to treat severe pain that’s proven resistant to other treatments, such as from cancer. Fentanyl is also the main ingredient in epidural shots designed to block out pain from childbirth.
Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II drug in the United States, and so is prescribed under strict regulations. It comes in several forms, including skin patches, lozenges, and even a nasal spray. It’s sold under various brand names like Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze.
But the effects of fentanyl as a drug can be very different across people. It can cause feelings of happiness or euphoria, drowsiness, and reduced pain sensitivity. It can also lead to nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, itching, sweating, and confusion. More serious short-term effects can include low blood pressure, hallucinations, delirium, breathing difficulties, and loss of consciousness.
Long-term use of fentanyl can lead to dependency, severe addiction, and an ever-increasing risk of overdosing. People may shift to using different opioids after their fentanyl prescription runs out, sometimes buying them illegally to maintain a consistent supply.
But drug dealers sometimes mix fentanyl with other substances (such as methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine) to drive down the costs of production. This is extremely dangerous, as the person consuming the drugs isn’t able to accurately calculate the dose and strength of what they’re consuming. This is why fentanyl test strips are used as a harm reduction measure among drug users, to help detect fentanyl in other substances and prevent accidental overdose.
Fentanyl steps in and interrupts the signals toward the brain that indicate pain. This reduces feelings of pain in a very direct way, even though the source of the pain may not be solved.
Like alcohol, fentanyl works directly on the central nervous system (CNS) of the body. This is the system of organs (and nerves) within the body that is responsible for a lot of important functions, including breathing. This helps to explain why fentanyl overdose can be fatal so often. Overusing fentanyl can jeopardize the central nervous system and render someone unable to help themselves, which can lead to avoidable deaths like choking on one’s own vomit.
Fully one-fifth of deaths of California’s teenagers and young adults (ages 15-24) are directly connected to fentanyl. Drug overdoses now kill two to three times as many people in the Golden State as car accidents. There are many lost lives and broken families that have been affected by this epidemic. But due to its addictive nature, many people don’t seek fentanyl addiction treatment until a lot of damage has already been done to their bodies.
California seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to potentially kill the entire population of North America two times over. In 2022, California seized 28,765 pounds of fentanyl with an estimated street value of more than $230 million. That’s a lot of drugs off the streets. But as long as there is a demand for fentanyl among drug users, the manufacture and trafficking of fentanyl in California (and the wider United States) will likely continue.
Fentanyl’s potency makes withdrawal risky and challenging for someone aiming to go it alone. Because of its effects on the central nervous system, completing a full fentanyl detox can be painful, and complications can arise very quickly. Many people trying to quit fentanyl relapse back into use simply to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Detox must be overseen by experienced medical professionals in a specialized medical detox center in Marin County to ensure safety and comfort.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms that individuals may experience include:
Withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person, and it’s always recommended to seek professional medical help when dealing with withdrawal. It is crucial to complete a detox program before moving on to further treatment. It helps to establish a strong foundation for long-term recovery and lowers the chances of relapse. At our center, we offer comprehensive detox services with individualized care tailored to each person’s unique needs. Detox is just the beginning of the recovery process, and ongoing support is vital for lasting sobriety.
There are many substance abuse treatments available for people suffering from an addiction to fentanyl. Treatment for fentanyl addiction can call for a different approach for everyone.
Medically-assisted fentanyl detox is often the first step in the treatment process, providing safe and supervised withdrawal management. This evaluation should be conducted by professional staff at any level of care, who will make recommendations about the most appropriate treatment programs and medical interventions.
Addiction counseling helps people understand their addiction and its root causes, identify their personal and environmental risk factors, build a social support network for recovery, and learn new skills that will help their recovery lifestyle progress forward. This stage of treatment can last from several weeks to months, depending on the level of care received. Family involvement and support are crucial in helping a loved one through detox and treatment, providing encouragement and understanding throughout the recovery process.
An increasingly important part of fentanyl treatment is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This, combined with addiction counseling in Marin County, has been proven to provide the best outcomes for opioid treatment. Each treatment plan we put together at Golden Gate Recovery is personalized to the needs of every individual seeking help. The ultimate goal of all these approaches is to help individuals recover from fentanyl addiction.
If you suspect that you or a loved one is dealing with fentanyl addiction, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Fentanyl is a highly potent drug. Its misuse can lead to serious health consequences, including overdose and death. Trying to quit fentanyl “cold turkey” can be extremely dangerous due to its effects on the central nervous system. It’s not a weakness to need support to quit fentanyl — it’s the correct attitude when dealing with a drug of this potency.
Golden Gate Recovery in Marin County, CA, is a treatment center that offers comprehensive addiction and mental health services for men. We have a strong belief in the power of a therapeutic and peer-led community in achieving long-term recovery, and our approach to treatment is based on a philosophy of long-term, 12-step-based, gender-specific care in a small and intimate recovery community.
Our clinical team is skilled in treating complex clients using cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and life skills. We also believe in the importance of recreational therapy and physical wellness for recovery, and offer holistic treatment options (including yoga) to provide well-rounded healing. We also offer specialty programs for indigenous Americans seeking culturally specific treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, contact us today to begin the fight against addiction.
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Dr. Small’s professional experience encompasses General Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry and Family Medicine. As the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, Dr. Small and his team have become leaders in the delivery of addiction medicine and psychiatry to treatment programs throughout California and beyond. These compassionate services are reliable, responsive, personable, and evidenced based. Most of the team providers carry multiple board certifications in psychiatry, addiction medicine and family medicine. They recruit the best and brightest addiction medicine professionals to deliver the highest level of treatment.
