Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has become a major contributor to the ongoing opioid addiction crisis in the United States. Between 2023 and 2024, drug overdoses involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl dropped to 14.3% of the total number. But opioid addiction is still a crisis in America, and drug overdose deaths involving opioids accounted for just over 79,000 deaths in America in 2023.
For individuals and families, fentanyl addiction can be devastating. Drug abuse always has an impact on the people surrounding the person. But fentanyl addiction brings a heightened risk of drug overdose, severe and uncomfortable withdrawal, and lasting physical and mental health consequences. Fentanyl addiction is a chronic condition that often requires ongoing treatment and support for long-term recovery.
Recovery from fentanyl addiction is possible, and Lennox CMHC is dedicated to supporting recovery from fentanyl addiction. Our fentanyl treatment California program features individualized treatment plans designed for lasting recovery. We see the effects of the opioid crisis in America through our work, and we’re ready to support recovery at our Van Nuys, California treatment center from withdrawal to aftercare.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than opioids. In medical contexts, fentanyl is most often prescribed for extreme physical pain that other medications cannot address (such as pain from cancer treatment). Fentanyl is a key ingredient in spinal block treatments designed to block pain from childhood.
However, illicitly manufactured fentanyl has flooded the streets in forms like powders, lollipops, and counterfeit pills, leading to widespread substance abuse. It’s commonly added to other illegal drugs (like methamphetamine and fake prescription pills) to increase potency or produce desired effects. But fentanyl is often added without the user’s knowledge, which drastically increases the chances of an accidental overdose.
The root causes of fentanyl addiction can be different from person to person. Many people become addicted to fentanyl after using other pain medications that have dampened effects over time. Some people never mean to consume fentanyl, but encounter it when buying or consuming another substance. As with drugs like alcohol, some people self-medicate for trauma or mental conditions like anxiety with fentanyl. The fact that there’s no single cause of fentanyl addiction illustrates why a comprehensive approach to treatment is necessary for lasting recovery.
Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl addiction manifests with a range of physical and behavioral signs. Recognizing these symptoms early can be crucial to seeking help.
Symptoms of potential fentanyl addiction include:
- Extreme drowsiness or sedation
- Difficulty breathing or shallow respiration
- Pinpoint pupils
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
- Erratic behavior or mood swings
- Worsening mental health disorder symptoms, such as depression
- Social withdrawal
- Increased agitation or anxiety
- Intense cravings for fentanyl
- Continued use despite consequences
- Track marks (if injected)
- Obsessive drug-seeking behavior
- Neglect of responsibilities
- Engagement in risky or dangerous activities to obtain fentanyl
- Avoiding loved ones or friends
- Financial strain
- Legal issues due to drug-related activities
Fentanyl overdoses are particularly dangerous due to the drug’s potency, often leading to respiratory failure. Withdrawal symptoms, including severe cravings, nausea, and intense physical discomfort, can make quitting without professional detoxification nearly impossible. Seeking professional addiction treatment at our Van Nuys, CA, rehab is essential for safe and effective opioid addiction recovery.
Our Approach to Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
At Lennox CMHC, our fentanyl addiction treatment programs are designed to provide comprehensive and compassionate care in a high-quality, supportive facility environment.
Our Van Nuys facility’s fentanyl rehab approach includes:
- Medically Supervised Detoxification: Safely manage withdrawal symptoms and minimize discomfort through medication-assisted detox. The duration and intensity of symptoms can depend on several factors, such as the dosage of fentanyl used, frequency of use, and individual metabolism. Fentanyl has a relatively short half-life, which means withdrawal symptoms may begin quickly after the last dose and the drug may remain detectable in the body for a limited time.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Options like buprenorphine and methadone (in some cases) help control cravings and reduce the risk of relapse. These are commonly used during fentanyl detox. Access to MAT can significantly increase the number of individuals seeking treatment for opioid use disorder.
- Therapeutic Services: Outpatient treatment includes a range of programs that offer flexible, tailored care, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), one-on-one counseling, and group therapy sessions. These programs improve access to treatment and allow clients to maintain daily responsibilities while receiving support.
- Holistic Recovery: We treat the physical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction, fostering long-term healing and recovery in a luxury rehab center. Our approach incorporates holistic therapies in California, as well as trauma-informed care. Dual diagnosis treatment for mental health disorders is available, and trauma-informed care is essential for individuals with co-occurring disorders. This approach helps clients develop coping strategies to manage distressing memories related to trauma, leading to improved emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.
- Relapse Prevention: Our Van Nuys drug rehab equips individuals with coping skills and strategies to sustain their recovery. Support options in aftercare planning may include alumni groups and peer support networks.
Holistic therapies and trauma-informed approaches also help clients manage stress and promote stress relief, supporting emotional healing throughout the recovery process.
With a combination of evidence-based practices and individualized care, our expert treatment in Van Nuys, California, supports individuals every step of the way.
Custom Plans for Addiction Treatment
Every person’s journey through fentanyl addiction treatment is unique, with each person having their own needs and circumstances. At our Van Nuys drug rehab, we craft personalized fentanyl rehab plans tailored to each person’s specific situation. For those with co-occurring mental health conditions, we offer dual-diagnosis treatment to ensure mental health disorders are addressed alongside substance use issues.
Achieving and maintaining sobriety is a key outcome of our treatment plans, supported by ongoing care and holistic healing. We offer a confidential consultation for new clients, ensuring your privacy and discretion throughout the assessment and treatment planning process.
Throughout their time in our care, patients receive evidence-based support, from detox to therapy, that nurtures both their physical and psychological well-being. Our Van Nuys outpatient treatment programs, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) that allow individuals to live at home while attending multiple weekly sessions, and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) in Fresno that provide daily, structured, full-day treatment, offer flexible options for ongoing care. Ongoing aftercare planning includes support options such as alumni groups and peer support networks, helping patients build a strong foundation for life after substance abuse treatment.
Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment Right For You?
Many people suffering from addiction wish to seek treatment, but feel that they can’t due to life circumstances. People may fear that taking time off to enter treatment may endanger their jobs. Other people may have trouble securing childcare or elder care for the entire duration of an inpatient addiction treatment program.
Outpatient treatment programs are designed specifically to help people with these concerns access help in recovering from addiction. Treatment sessions can take place at night, take up only half the day, or change format to better suit the person’s stage of recovery. Intensive outpatient programs (also known as IOPs) can provide support for people who need support for recovery and co-occurring mental health conditions. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) can provide structure and medical support for those undergoing detox from addictive substances, while still allowing people to live at home and fulfill life obligations.
If you’re wondering if outpatient treatment for fentanyl addiction is right for you, consider if your life fits these conditions:
- Your addiction isn’t severe or immediately life-threatening.
- You have a consistent home/living space that is free from addictive substances.
- You have a lot of personal motivation to enter a treatment program.
- You don’t need 24-hour monitoring for your detox or mental health treatment needs.
- You need a less expensive treatment option than inpatient treatment programs.
- You’re worried about practicing sobriety and recovery principles in the “real world.”
- You have a strong support network (such as friends, coworkers, and family members) that supports your sobriety.
- You have consistent and reliable transportation.
- You won’t require much support during detoxification.
It’s important to state that needing more intensive addiction treatment doesn’t make a person “worse,” and it doesn’t necessarily mean that recovery will be harder. It isn’t good to compare journeys to recovery between people, especially if someone has a co-occurring mental health condition like clinical depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What matters is receiving the care you need to create a life of sustained recovery from addiction.
Get Help for Fentanyl Addiction at Our Southern California Rehab Center
Fentanyl addiction is life-threatening, but recovery is possible with professional support. At our Van Nuys, CA rehab center, Lennox CMHC offers the comprehensive care needed to break free from a substance use disorder.
Contact us today to learn more about our addiction treatment programs and take the first step to reclaiming a healthier, brighter future.