Fentanyl is a type of opioid that is incredibly powerful. It is many times more potent than morphine and exponentially stronger than the types of opioids prescribed for pain relief like oxycontin and codeine. Recent data indicates that over 100 people die in the United States every day from opioid overdoses, with fentanyl being the main culprit.
The “opioid epidemic” is a phrase that has entered the national lexicon for a good reason. The past few years have seen an improvement related to levels of opioid addiction. Nonetheless, there is a long road ahead to overcome the worst impacts of opioid addiction. Part of the solution is women’s fentanyl addiction treatment.
Contact 855.732.4842 to learn more about Rockland Recovery’s Weymouth, Massachusetts women’s rehab center program.
Fentanyl Addiction Details and Withdrawal Symptoms
Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs in circulation today. Using fentanyl produces a brief, intense high. It is also addictive. Regular use tends to result in dependence. Moreover, fentanyl is rarely the drug someone begins using. More often, people start with a prescription opioid and eventually move to harder drugs like heroin and eventually fentanyl. That is because tolerance sets in quickly with opioids. Tolerance is when a drug no longer produces the same effect. People often respond by using more or seeking a more powerful substance.
Fentanyl is hard to quit because it often causes withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
Fentanyl abuse in women who experience chronic pain may be harder to stop. That is because women are more sensitive to pain than men. One potential root cause of why fentanyl abuse in women is connected to experiences of chronic pain is that women’s pain is taken less seriously by doctors. Sometimes, women feel as if they have nowhere else to turn but illicit drugs.
Women’s Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
Women’s fentanyl abuse treatment begins with detox. This is the process of ridding the body of the presence of a drug. Withdrawal symptoms typically rear their head during withdrawal. Thus, navigating withdrawal is always best accomplished in a women’s fentanyl addiction treatment center. The most common method of detox is tapering. This involves slowly using less of the drug over a period of days or weeks to avoid the worst withdrawal symptoms.
Since fentanyl is an opioid, detox is often supported with supplemental medications like methadone or buprenorphine. These medications help tamp down on cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms. They are not meant to be used long-term, but they can help people through the early days of treatment.
Women’s fentanyl addiction treatment usually involves a holistic approach through an inpatient structure. Tackling addiction holistically means addressing physical, mental, and emotional needs through supports like art therapy, trauma therapy, an exercise regimen, and nutritional services.
Women’s Fentanyl Abuse Treatment at Rockland Recovery
Catering fentanyl addiction treatment to women is vital for achieving success. Men and women experience addiction differently. Moreover, many of the root causes behind women’s fentanyl abuse are best dealt with in single-gender settings. For instance, domestic violence and related trauma are common root causes of addiction in women. When domestic violence is at the hands of men, attending recovery in a mixed-gender setting can itself be a relapse trigger. That can stop women from achieving recovery goals.
The women’s fentanyl addiction treatment program at Rockland Recovery can help women in a safe, structured environment. You can expect comfortable accommodations, 12-step guidance, life skills support and development, and more. Reach out to 855.732.4842 to learn more about fentanyl abuse in women and how Rockland Recovery helps women heal.
