Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Hawaii
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Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Hawaii Island Recovery
Hawaii Island Recovery is home to comprehensive, effective treatment for overcoming any form of alcohol or drug addiction, from marijuana and alcohol use to opioid addiction, heroin addiction, and much more. However, fentanyl addiction can present several unique challenges, even for those ready and willing to overcome addiction and pursue a healthy, sober life. Our dedicated and compassionate staff are available to help you or your loved ones understand the unique challenges of fentanyl addiction and create a treatment plan that addresses not just the role of fentanyl in your life but also underlying mental health disorders, trauma, and much more for the most personalized approach to care.
Understanding Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin. While it does have medical uses under the supervision of a medical professional for managing intense chronic pain or as a post-surgical painkiller, illicit fentanyl is incredibly dangerous. Fentanyl can also take many forms, making identifying fentanyl challenging. From being pressed into pills to snorted, injected, or smoked, identifying fentanyl can be especially difficult, especially as some illicit forms of fentanyl may be intentionally made to look like other drugs, such as masquerading as oxycodone.
Fentanyl can take forms from a white powder to blue pills to even multicolored pills called “rainbow fentanyl.” However, there is no safe form or amount of fentanyl, and understanding its dangers, signs, and symptoms of fentanyl addiction can empower you and your loved ones to pursue professional treatment to overcome this potent substance.
The Prevalence of Fentanyl Addiction
Due to fentanyl’s highly addictive properties, it is also commonly cut into other substances through the illicit creation of other drugs. Heroin, opioids, or marijuana can all be cut with fentanyl to increase their potency and addictive effects, resulting in many people using fentanyl without being aware of it. Addiction to fentanyl without even knowing that a person is using it in the first place is possible and can make overcoming this addiction a challenging process.
With such a destructive and potent drug, the effects of fentanyl use expand far beyond just an individual, with entire families and communities each being impacted by the drug. Finding effective and comprehensive treatment for fentanyl addiction is paramount, and while overcoming fentanyl addiction is challenging, it is always possible.
The Dangers of Fentanyl Use
Fentanyl is incredibly dangerous, not just as a powerful and addictive illicit drug, but it can also have life-threatening consequences of use. In 2022, 73,838 overdose deaths were recorded involving synthetic opioids, with fentanyl making up a large majority of these cases. This can be especially dangerous if a person is not expecting or planning on using a drug as potent as fentanyl, with these risks increasing greatly in those unaware if fentanyl has been cut into other substances like marijuana. Fentanyl overdose is potentially lethal with as little as two milligrams, especially without a tolerance to the drug.
The use of fentanyl can also impact the body and mind very quickly, leading to dangerous situations such as driving under the influence of these drugs. Rapid onset of the effects of fentanyl can also cause a person to be unable to react if they realize they are in danger or, in the event of an overdose, making fentanyl incredibly dangerous.
However, these dangers do not reflect the myriad of other ways in which fentanyl can profoundly affect daily life. Some other destructive effects of the drug include:
- Compromised mental and physical health
- Financial challenges
- Increase in risk-taking behaviors, such as sharing needles or unsafe sexual practices
- Compromised hygiene routiens
- Difficulty tending to personal responsibilities
- Negatively affected professional performance, attendance, or employment status
- Legal ramifications, from possession to engaging in illegal activities to purchase more of the drug
- Strained personal relationships
- Compromised trust
Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction
Identifying fentanyl addiction in a loved one is the first step toward effective treatment and care. However, it can be a challenging step to take. For many, family members and loved ones can be in disbelief that drug addiction could be affecting the lives of their loved ones. Educating oneself about these signs and understanding the effects of addiction is the best way to approach the situation objectively alongside the support of professionals like those at Hawaii Island Recovery.
Fentanyl addiction can have many profound effects, from compromised physical and mental health to behavioral changes. Some of the physical signs of fentanyl addiction include:
- Consistent drowsiness
- Pinpoint or constricted pupils
- Sudden and drastic changes in weight, particularly weight loss
- Respiratory challenges or feeling constantly out of breath
- Persistent itchiness or scratching at the skin, particularly when accompanied by small scabs or bruises that may indicate injection sites called “track marks”
These are often accompanied by neglect of personal hygiene, from neglect of self-care and hygiene routines to appearing unkempt, wearing unwashed clothes, and more.
Fentanyl can also have several effects on the mental health of those using the drug. Increased feelings of anxiety and depression to paranoia, intense mood swings, pervasive anger, and shifting between feelings of euphoria, depression, and frustration as the effects of the drug wear off can all indicate the use of the drug.
Lastly, fentanyl can also cause a person to exhibit drastically changing behaviors. Some common behavioral changes due to fentanyl addiction include:
- Increased cravings for drug use
- “Doctor shopping,” or going to multiple doctors to refill various prescriptions
- Neglect of personal responsibilities, professional obligations, or academic duties
- Self-isolating behaviors and social withdrawal, such as locking doors, adopting a more secretive lifestyle, or not attending regular social functions
- Lack of communication, lying, and the deterioration of trust between loved ones
A person does not have to exhibit all of these signs to be at risk for fentanyl addiction. Rather, noticing a couple of these signs can indicate the need to contact Hawaii Island Recovery or your local treatment facility about possible addiction and available treatment programs for overcoming fentanyl addiction.
Fentanyl Addiction, Substance Abuse, and Dual Diagnosis
A fentanyl addiction also may not be a challenge to overcome in isolation. Many of those living with any kind of substance use disorder (SUD) may turn to these substances to address other underlying needs. Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can all affect a person’s use of addictive substances. Others using fentanyl may develop pervasive feelings of anxiety, depression, and more as a result of drug use, creating a dangerous cycle of substance use. This combination of challenges makes your recovery journey unique and necessitates a personalized approach to treatment.
Dual diagnosis, or an addiction paired with a mental health disorder, can make finding the right treatment complicated but never impossible. Hawaii Island Recovery understands the need to treat the whole self to overcome fentanyl addiction, mental health disorders, or addiction to multiple substances and is prepared to work with you to find your best approach to holistic treatment and recovery.
Comprehensive Addiction Treatment at Hawaii Island Recovery
Hawaii Island Recovery has treatment options available at every level of care and is committed to the entire continuum of care, from your first step into detox throughout your time in residential care and as you transition to outpatient and alumni support. Likewise, we also blend proven therapeutic practices with holistic healing options to treat the whole self, not just a collection of symptoms. We believe in treating the whole person and engaging in physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual healing, making Hawaii Island Recovery the last call you have to make to find your best treatment opportunities.
Detox
Our dedicated medical detox program is designed to help you take your first step into a healthy, sober future. However, this means overcoming many hurdles as you begin your journey, from uncertainty to intense withdrawal symptoms. Our medical detox program provides comprehensive care, around-the-clock, 24/7 support, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) where necessary to help you overcome this first step of healing.
We also champion physical and emotional comfort during this time, with constant support available to help you address an array of personal needs, all backed by our medical staff to ensure safety and prevent relapse while overcoming difficult withdrawal symptoms. These detox programs can last about two weeks but can always be adjusted to your needs and progress before you transition to further care.
Residential Treatment
After a successful detox, we can help you transition to our dedicated residential facility. We house a small, intimate community of peers and professionals alike, with eight rooms available to ensure each person has the time and opportunity to explore their best approach to healing with the support and attention necessary to overcome fentanyl addiction.
Your time in residential will be unique, with a personalized treatment plan blended with the natural healing advantages of Hawaii. We also take this time to not just address symptoms of fentanyl addiction but actively engage in structured routines that incorporate proven therapies as well as spiritual healing, community outreach, new experiences, nature-based healing exercises, and much more to create a lasting approach to sobriety. These residential programs can last up to three months as you learn not just how to manage urges and cravings but also adopt new skills and perspectives and develop new relationships in sobriety for a truly comprehensive approach to change and a transformed daily life.
Outpatient Care
We also offer a robust outpatient support system, with outpatient care and alumni support available throughout your recovery journey. Hawaii Island Recovery understands that overcoming fentanyl addiction is not something that is “completed” and is rather a lifelong journey. However, you never have to embark on any part of that journey alone, and whether you are just beginning your healing or are continuing to manage your sobriety as an alumnus, we are always just one call away, with sympathetic professionals and a community of peers ready to continue supporting your sober change.
Personalized, Holistic Healing Options and Proven Care
Each of our detox, residential, and outpatient programs incorporates both proven therapeutic elements and natural holistic healing options to empower you to explore your personal best practices in recovery from fentanyl addiction. Therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are available alongside individual and group therapy, oceanic healing opportunities like snorkeling or swimming in the pristine natural oceans of Hawaii, nature hikes, and opportunities like planting native trees, outdoor yoga, meditation, and much more that combines your needs and proven strategies with the unique advantages of the big island of Hawaii.
Holistic healing options like acupuncture, massage therapy, dietary support, and more are all part of your recovery journey at Hawaii Island Recovery and are part of helping you find your most sustainable journey to a healthy, sober future.
No part of overcoming fentanyl addiction is easy. However, having a personalized treatment plan and a community of sympathetic peers can be a crucial resource to committing to your own sober future and potential, with Hawaii Island Recovery being a place to begin your journey and gain the skills to be the catalyst of your own sober change.
Fentanyl can have many profound effects on your physical, mental, and spiritual health and even damage entire families and communities. Learn how you can take your first step into treatment at Hawaii Island Recovery by calling (866) 390-5070.