What Are Some Common Fentanyl Drug Addiction Symptoms?

When your or a loved one becomes addicted to Fentanyl, it may go unnoticed in the beginning, since the addiction usually starts as the result of a prescription for pain. In many cases, the user is someone whom their friends and family would never suspect of being a “drug addict” and therefore it may be difficult to accept.  But the sooner you are able to recognize the Fentanyl drug addiction symptoms, the sooner you or your loved one will be able to get the treatment they need to break their habit.

Using Fentanyl can result in several unpleasant physical side effects. When a person is still taking the drug for prescription purposes, however it may be difficult to spot the addiction based on physical characteristics alone since the drug is only prescribed to people who are already experiencing severe pain. If symptoms continue however past the point where taking the medication should be necessary, it may indicate that the user is abusing the drug.

Some of the physical symptoms that can occur consist of:

• Swelling of hands and feet
• Constipation, nausea, and vomiting
• Weakness or tiredness
• Shallow breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Respiratory depression
• Weakened immunity
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Unconsciousness or sedation

In addition to the physical symptoms of addiction, you may also notice changes in their psychological or mental state of well-being. This is because of the way in which opiate drugs interact with the brain. These drugs are effective pain relievers because they cause the brain to release dopamine. The problem is that dopamine is released in much greater quantities than it would be normally. When the user comes down off their high, they crave having those levels of dopamine released gain and as a result may experience mental and emotional side effects. These symptoms may include the following:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Confusion
• Depression
• Anxiety or paranoia attacks
• Personality changes
• Mood disorders
• Delusions
• Hallucinations

Addiction changes the way that the brain works. When a person becomes addicted to Fentanyl or another opiate drug, the brain perceives it as necessary to survival. Because of this, social relationships are often neglected as the user becomes more and more focused on getting their next fix. Social symptoms of drug addiction include:

• Lack of interest:  An addicted individual will find it harder to enjoy activities that once were enjoyable. These can include birthdays, going to the movies, nice dinners, hanging out with friends, eating chocolate, and many others.

• Lack of social skills: As an individual becomes addicted to Fentanyl, they’ll find it harder and harder to interact with others in a social environment.

• Anti-social behaviour: Addiction to Fentanyl can make an individual feel as though they don’t fit into any social category. As a result, anti-social behavior can develop in addition to other psychologically symptoms like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Fentanyl can be a helpful medication when it is used to alleviate severe pain and when it is taken under the strict guidance of a physician.  Because it can be extremely habit forming however, it is important to watch for the telltale Fentanyl drug addiction symptoms.  If you suspect that you or a loved one is becoming dependant, it is best to get help as soon as possible.