You are currently viewing The Early Signs of Fentanyl Addiction: A Guide

The Early Signs of Fentanyl Addiction: A Guide

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times more potent than morphine in some cases. Because of its unusually high potency, it can also be a very addictive opioid that can take a huge toll on a person’s body and mind.

For this reason, you should keep a close eye out for the early signs of fentanyl addiction in those around you. It’ll put you in a much better position to get a loved one the addiction treatment they need before it’s too late.

Fentanyl addiction is resulting in an alarming number of deadly drug overdoses these days. It’s responsible for roughly 70,000 drug overdoses each year.

We’ve created a fentanyl addiction guide that should help you see when someone close to you needs inpatient care at a facility that specializes in providing fentanyl detox in Ventura County. It includes many of the most common signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction.

Take a look at them below.

Noticeable Marks on Arms

Fentanyl can be taken in a variety of different ways. Those using fentanyl can take it in pill form. They can also snort or sniff it.

But oftentimes, those who have developed a fentanyl addiction will inject it. It’s the quickest way to get fentanyl into their systems.

With this in mind, one of the very early signs of fentanyl addiction will be marks starting to show up on a person’s arms. They’ll leave marks behind on their arms almost every time they inject fentanyl.

It’s worth noting that marks on a person’s arms could also stem from heroin addiction. But you shouldn’t rule out the possibility of them struggling with fentanyl addiction.

Dramatic Changes in Weight and Appetite

Has a loved one lost a lot of weight in a relatively short period of time? Do you get the sense that they aren’t eating as much as they normally do?

These are two more early signs of fentanyl addiction. When someone starts to use fentanyl on a regular basis, it can impact their appetite in a big way. They’re also going to spend so much of their time searching for their next hit of fentanyl that they might not always have time to stop and eat.

Sleep Troubles

If a loved one ever seems to be experiencing sleep problems, this is yet another thing that should be a cause for concern. Although these sleep issues could be a result of any number of other things, it could also be a sign that they’re addicted to a drug.

Fentanyl addiction, in particular, can wreak havoc on a person’s sleep patterns. They might not be able to sleep much at night, and it’ll leave them looking tired and worse for wear almost all the time.

Some people who become addicted to fentanyl will also spend their days sleeping, which could inhibit their ability to lead a normal, productive life. You might want to ask them about the sleep patterns you’ve noticed to see what explanation they have for them.

Loss of Interest in Hobbies

When a loved one is in the throes of fentanyl addiction, it’s going to be impossible for them to focus on almost anything else. Before long, their life might revolve around using fentanyl since the fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can be severe.

As a result, you might want to inquire as to what’s going on if you see that a loved one isn’t showing an interest in hobbies they used to enjoy anymore. This could very well be because they’re addicted to a drug like fentanyl.

Poor Performance at School or Work

As you might imagine, fentanyl addiction isn’t going to do a loved one any favors when it comes to their performance at school or work. Their grades will typically begin to drop if they’re enrolled in school or they might find themselves skipping days at work and even getting fired at some point.

If you sense that a loved one isn’t doing as well at school or work as usual, this could be one more early sign of fentanyl addiction. They aren’t going to be able to get back to putting forth their best performance at school or work without addiction treatment.

Other Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction

It can be easy for some people to hide certain addictions. But it’s going to be challenging for someone suffering from fentanyl addiction to mask their disorder. There are simply too many symptoms of fentanyl addiction that will start to pop up.

Here are several more that should be on your radar:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Muscle weakness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Stomach cramping
  • Constant yawning
  • Chills

If you see any combination of these symptoms, it could be a sign that someone you know is battling fentanyl addiction. You should speak with them right away about how Ventura County drug rehab centers might be able to help them.

You should also take the time to learn more about detoxing from fentanyl since it can be very dangerous to do it without professional help. It might help you convince a loved one to visit a rehab center so that they’re able to go through a safe fentanyl detox.

Contact Us to Get a Loved One Help With Fentanyl Addiction

Is there someone in your life who seems to be exhibiting the early signs of fentanyl addiction? You should help them do something about it.

Fentanyl is so addictive that some people will get hooked on it after using it just once or twice. So the sooner you’re able to get a loved one to one of the drug rehab centers in Ventura County, the better their chances of fighting back against fentanyl addiction.

Altitude Recovery Community can provide your loved one with the help they need. Contact us now to get more information on our addiction treatment services.