Fentanyl is a powerful pain medication that is extremely dangerous in low doses and has a high rate of addiction and overdose. Fentanyl overdose deaths are one of the leading causes of death in people under 50, surpassing heart disease, cancer, and suicide. Knowing fentanyl overdose symptoms is imperative if you or someone you know is using fentanyl and routinely abuses the medication or is experimenting with street fentanyl.
The therapists and support staff at Skywood Recovery’s addiction treatment facility welcome men and women who are struggling with opioid use disorder and are ready to regain control of their lives. Our fentanyl addiction treatment program includes behavioral and holistic therapies along with medication-assisted treatment for a whole-person recovery experience that promotes long-lasting recovery. We have residential and outpatient treatment programs to see you through all stages of recovery. Find out more about the symptoms of a fentanyl overdose. Then, call 269.280.4673 today for more information about our addiction treatment programs.
Why Should You Be Familiar With Fentanyl Overdose Symptoms?
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid used as an analgesic and an anesthetic. It is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Across the U.S., multiple reports show that a two-milligram dose can cause an overdose and is potentially lethal. While medical fentanyl is highly regulated and listed as a Schedule II narcotic with the DEA, street fentanyl is more dangerous and has a higher risk of overdose.
Illegal drug manufacturers will mix or cut fentanyl with other ingredients to change its potency and appearance. Heroin is sometimes cut with fentanyl to increase its potency, as well as other opioid pain medication. Other ingredients found in street fentanyl include:
- Baking powder
- Sugar
- Powdered milk
- Starch
- Caffeine
- Laundry detergent
- Rat poison
Without an opioid test kit, there is no way of knowing the dosage, and there is a significant chance that one pill can be too much. The risk of experiencing fentanyl overdose symptoms is so great that most prescriptions will come with naloxone. Naloxone is an injectable opioid analgesic that immediately reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
At Skywood Recovery, our goal is to help our patients reach their recovery goals with the right coping skills to manage their symptoms and triggers. Each program is tailored to the individual and will include a healthy mix of behavioral and holistic therapies along with medical support.
What Are the Symptoms of a Fentanyl Overdose?
Recognizing the signs of a fentanyl overdose can save someone’s life. If you or a loved one is taking fentanyl, be sure you understand the dosage and timeline for taking the medication. If you take more than prescribed or within a few hours of the last dose, it can increase your tolerance levels which can cause dependence and strong cravings for the same amount.
Here are some of the common fentanyl overdose symptoms that you should be familiar with:
- Small, dilated pupils
- Mental confusion
- Lack of muscle control
- Loss of consciousness
- Depressed breathing and heart rate
- You hear chocking or gurgling sounds
- They have cold and clammy skin
- Their lips and fingertips turn blue
- Their body is completely limp
- When physically shaken, they do not respond or cannot wake up
To survive a fentanyl overdose, call 911 immediately or find the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. If you have naloxone, administer it right away to immediately reverse an opioid overdose and resume breathing within 2–3 minutes.
Choose Skywood Recovery for Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Michigan
At Skywood Recovery, we welcome Michigan residents who have an opioid use disorder and want help stopping the abuse and leading a healthy life. We use cognitive-behavioral therapy in all of our therapy sessions to help patients better understand the reasons behind the abuse and learn healthy ways of managing their symptoms and triggers. Other therapies and treatments you can expect during a treatment program include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- 12-step therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Separate men’s and women’s rehab
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Family therapy/counseling
- Yoga and meditation therapy
- Equine-assisted therapy
If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, give us a call at 269.280.4673 today to begin your recovery journey.