Did you know that the rate of fatal teen overdoses doubled in 2020? A huge factor in this increase was fentanyl. Fentanyl is an increasing problem in the United States, and it’s used in more drugs than you might realize.
If you’re struggling with a fentanyl addiction, it’s crucial to find addiction treatment for Ohio to begin your path to recovery from addiction. Keep reading to learn more about the growing problem of fentanyl and the importance of drug rehab for Ohio.
Three Kilos of Fentanyl Seized in Middletown Drug Bust on June 12th
The Ohio Drug Enforcement Agency (ODEA) has recently seized 3 kilos of fentanyl in a drug bust in the Middletown area of Ohio. The drug seized has a street value of over $250,000.
A drug bust on Friday, June 12th, led the ODEA to a house in the Middletown area, where the fentanyl was found. The suspect is in jail on a federal hold. In addition to the fentanyl, a large amount of cash, seven firearms, and four vehicles were seized.
The Increasing Problem of Fentanyl
Fentanyl has been a growing problem in Ohio and across the US. It is a drug that takes lives and destroys families.
The Ohio Department of Health has found that 81 percent of all opioid overdose deaths involved fentanyl in 2020. The ODEA and local police forces have warned that the illegal manufacture of fentanyl could cause the number of overdose deaths to continue to rise.
How Addictive Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an opiate-like drug that gets measured in micrograms. It is a synthetic drug with a high risk for addiction and overdose.
Fentanyl, often made in clandestine labs, is about 50-100 times more potent than morphine and 30-50 times more potent than heroin. One kilo of pure fentanyl could make between 400,000 and 1.6 million lethal doses.
What Are the Signs of Fentanyl Abuse?
The risk of fentanyl addiction is high, especially when fentanyl gets used as a substitute for other illicit drugs or for medical use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that fentanyl addiction can often start with an individual using it as a substitute for other drugs or using it to improve the effectiveness of other drugs, without realizing the risk of fentanyl addiction and overdose in the contour of their ongoing drug use.
Signs of fentanyl addiction include:
- Behavioral changes (i.e., mood swings, extreme lethargy)
- Psychological changes
- Physical changes (loss of appetite, lightheadedness, constipation)
- Symptoms of withdrawal
- Drug-seeking behavior
- Fentanyl overdose
- Continuing to use despite negative life consequences
What Are the Effects of Fentanyl Abuse?
Serious consequences of fentanyl abuse include the risk of addiction, overdose, and death. Fentanyl can produce an intense high within minutes after getting placed under the tongue or on the gums.
It can also get injected, snorted, or swallowed. Fentanyl causes euphoria in the user, which makes it highly addictive. In addition to euphoria, it also causes sedation, respiratory distress, hypotension, and severe itching.
How to Get Help for a Fentanyl Addiction
Although fentanyl addiction is a serious issue, addiction treatment is available. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence or NCADD offers the following tips on how to get help:
- Seek out medical attention
- Call addiction treatment centers for Ohio
- Be open and honest about your fentanyl abuse with the addiction treatment staff
- Be patient with the addiction treatment process
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment for Ohio
If you’re ready to get help for your addiction, it’s important to know what to expect. There are three main types of treatment for fentanyl addiction: pharmacological treatments, detox, and behavioral treatments.
Detox
Fentanyl Drug detox for Ohio is necessary for individuals who want to stop taking fentanyl, and it is required before entering into behavioral treatments. A detox for Ohio can get completed in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
The detox process can be very painful and requires a safe environment and trained staff.
Behavioral Treatments
Behavioral treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), group therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, and 12-step programs. Behavioral treatments can also address spirituality.
Behavioral treatments for fentanyl addiction can be conducted in an inpatient or outpatient setting and focus on teaching healthy coping strategies for an individual, as well as creating a support system for the individual.
CBT
Individuals who receive CBT for fentanyl addiction will be introduced to techniques that have been proven to work, such as relaxation training and meditation, to help cope with withdrawal symptoms. CBT also helps provide individuals with the skills they need to avoid relapse.
The individual will learn to recognize the risk factors that may lead to relapse. They will also learn how to cope with stress, as well as how to take care of their body and mind. CBT has been proven to reduce the chances of relapse.
DBT
DBT focuses on connecting an individual’s thoughts and emotions, behaviors, and observations. This type of therapy helps individuals understand their emotions and how to deal with them in a healthy manner. The individual will receive a therapist to help them identify triggers that lead to self-destructive behaviors.
Pharmacological Treatments
Pharmacological treatments help reduce cravings, treat withdrawal symptoms, and support recovery from addiction. Pharmacological therapies for fentanyl addiction include methadone and buprenorphine, as well as naloxone.
Methadone is a substitute for fentanyl, and it can get administered both in an inpatient or outpatient setting. This drug is a long-acting opioid that prevents heroin and other opioids from attaching to the receptors in the brain.
Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist prescribed to those with substance use disorder. This type of medication blocks opioid receptors, which helps keep a person from feeling the effects of other opioids.
Naloxone is a medication that can get used to treating overdoses. If an overdose is suspected, naloxone can be given to a person to re-activate their respiratory system.
Find Addiction Treatment Therapy for Ohio
The use of fentanyl is a growing problem in the United States. However, addiction treatment therapy for Ohio is available to those who need it.
Are you ready to get help and begin your path to recovery? Contact us today to find out more about drug and alcohol rehab for Ohio.