Fentanyl is the generic name of an unusually powerful opioid medication. Legally, you can only use this medication if you have a current doctor’s prescription. However, illegal fentanyl use is common across America. Whether you take it in legal or illegal form, the medication presents a potential addiction risk. If you become addicted, prompt treatment is your best possible option. How do you know when the need for fentanyl addiction treatment has arrived? Symptoms and signs of a problem tend to manifest in particular ways.
The Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction – What Is a Symptom?
What do we mean when we talk about the symptoms of an illness? In its purest sense, a symptom is an illness effect that:
- Doesn’t have a clear impact on your outer appearance or behavior
- May escape notice until you let someone know you’re experiencing it
What about addiction effects that do have an impact on your appearance or behavior? These effects belong to another category: signs of addiction.
However, in a practical sense, the difference between a symptom and a sign can be hard to define. That’s why specialists often use the term symptom to describe all effects of a given condition, whether obvious or hidden. This generalization is useful most of the time.
The Most Typical Symptoms in People Addicted to Fentanyl
Some symptoms of fentanyl addiction are typical and widespread. The five most likely effects include:
- A diminished ability to exert control over your fentanyl use
- The need to use more and more fentanyl before you get any pleasure from it
- Fentanyl cravings that powerfully affect you between episodes of use
- Trying to quit using fentanyl multiple times without ever succeeding
- Failing to admit to yourself the extent of the harm caused by your fentanyl use
These issues are often less obvious than typical visible signs of fentanyl addiction. However, an alert friend or family member may suspect that they’re affecting you.
Signs of Fentanyl Addiction – The Illness’ Potential Visible Effects
In contrast to symptoms, the signs of fentanyl addiction are often less subtle. For example, you may stop taking care of yourself and undergo a notable decline in your hygiene level. You may also display physical signs such as narrowed pupils, excessive sweating, and recurring coughs or sniffles. A declining appetite is also common.
People affected by any form of addiction may cut themselves off from normal social contact. They may also become secretive or unusually suspicious of others. Additional issues include unexplained financial problems and acts of theft.
Signs of Fentanyl Abuse, Addiction’s Counterpart
Fentanyl addiction often overlaps with fentanyl abuse, i.e., serious dysfunction not triggered by addiction. That makes sense since addiction and abuse are elements of the same condition: substance use disorder. The signs of fentanyl abuse may include:
- Not stopping your fentanyl use when it leads to problems with friends or family
- Repeatedly taking part in risky behavior while under the influence of fentanyl
- Finding it harder to meet obligations in any area of your life
Like fentanyl addiction signs, fentanyl abuse signs can appear alongside less obvious symptoms.
Get Started with Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Northpoint
The signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction point to a need for prompt treatment. That’s also true for fentanyl abuse signs and symptoms. Want to know more about what to look for? The professionals at Northpoint Colorado have the expertise you need.
Want help with a diagnosed fentanyl problem? Northpoint features customized resources that support effective detox and active recovery of your well-being. Get started today by calling us at 888.231.1281. You can also contact us online by completing our convenient message form.