Fentanyl Addiction Treatment & Rehab

Although Fentanyl addiction treatment and withdrawal should not be taken lightly, you should also not considered it an impossible feat. Recovery from Fentanyl addiction is possible with proper support and treatment.

There are treatment programs that can provide you with the inner strength and skills to overcome the urge to use Fentanyl.

Understanding Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl offers very strong pain relief, and although becoming addicted is not something you or a loved one thought was possible when it was prescribed, there may have been underlying factors like depression, life stressors, trauma, that may have found you needing Fentanyl as a distraction. Addiction can and does happen no matter how innocently using Fentanyl started.

Rest assured that no matter what has led to you or a loved one suffering from a Fentanyl addiction, the best way to recovery is by seeking professional addiction treatment.

If you would like to learn more about residential rehab or would like to speak to an expert regarding the different treatment centres here in the UK, please give us a call.

freedom from addiction

Why Fentanyl Addiction Treatment is Necessary

Fentanyl misuse can lead to addiction and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when you stop using, signs of addiction are:

  • Extreme happiness
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Confusion
  • Over-sedation
  • Troubled breathing
  • Unconsciousness
  • Needing larger amounts of Fentanyl to achieve the same effect
  • Neglecting personal responsibilities to spend more time using
  • Keeping a healthy amount of Fentanyl stocked at all times
  • Inability to stop using, even when you recognise the negative effects of continuing Fentanyl use and experiencing withdrawal symptoms as soon as a few hours after the drug was taken.
    (ADF – Drug Facts – Fentanyl.)

You may have tried to lower your dose or even stop in the past but the pain and challenges of withdrawal may have driven you to use Fentanyl again and instill a belief that addiction is inescapable.

a rehab group session

Treat the Addiction, not the Fentanyl!

Rehabilitation and recovery don’t stop as you leave the treatment or detox centre. You will need to commit to a lifetime of remaining sober and learning to live your life free from Fentanyl. Your recovery will involve self-examination where you need to be willing and able to confront the triggers that led you to addiction:

  • Psychological history – past trauma (sexual, physical or even emotional) is hard to revisit in a healthy sober way
  • Your mental health – having a dual diagnosis like depression, ADHD, PTSD requires treatment from other avenues
  • Your family – having to build up a relationship with your family after months or years of Fentanyl abuse isn’t going to be easy
  • Your environment – Returning to a living arrangement that isn’t sober, or is detrimental to your recovery will need to be avoided.
  • Impatience – you will probably feel that your recovery should be instantaneous since the actual drug is out of your system.
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The Health Benefits of Quitting Fentanyl

Being a habitual Fentanyl user, the effects on your health are probably quite evident by now, but the health benefits after you have ceased using are numerous.
Let’s have a look at the benefits stopping now will give you:

  • Immune System: With a sober lifestyle you will be more likely to remember to eat better, take any chronic medications prescribed correctly and follow a healthy life plan as recommended by your doctor.
  • Skin: one of the first things a recovering addict will notice is the condition of their skin, as your health gets stronger, eating healthier food and self-care will contribute to healthier skin.
  • Memory improvement and mental acuity

Don’t be afraid to admit you have a problem

Drug abuse, misuse and addiction are one of the most stigmatised conditions worldwide (Substance Use Stigma: Reliability and validity of a theory-based scale for substance-using populations), this can cause a barrier between admitting you have a problem and prevent you from seeking help.

You are not alone, there are thousands of people struggling with addiction just as you are, recovery is possible, acknowledge that you have a problem so that you can open yourself up to receiving treatment.

Choosing a Treatment Option

Clinical experience has shown that most long-term opiate users feel better after coming off their medication and have reported an improvement in their mood and general wellbeing and a significant anxiety reduction. (The Benzodiazepine and Opiate Withdrawal Service (BOWS))

Working with a treatment team will assist you with handling your physical and mental reactions to the tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal effects associated with long-term use.

Private Rehab

Your Fentanyl addiction treatment within a residential rehab environment is multifaceted:

  • Medical care to assist with the withdrawal symptoms during detox (incl poly-drug use)
  • Psychological care to help you with any underlying mental and psychiatric disorders (Dual-Diagnosis)
  • Aftercare and family support to help you rebuild family relationships and remain supported throughout your recovery.

Effective treatment addresses all your needs rather than just treating your addiction.
Here are the four key components of treatment:

  • Medical Assessment -A comprehensive history will be taken as the physician needs to understand the reasons you were prescribed Fentanyl originally. This will be done in a non-judgemental, non-confrontational way.
  • Detox – Detoxification is used to rid your body of Fentanyl to ensure you are physically steady and ready to start therapy, the withdrawal management options you have during detox are dependent on the dosage and length of time you have been using Fentanyl.
  • Rehabilitative Therapy – A detoxification program for physical dependence does not necessarily address the triggers that led you to become addicted such as, social factors, psychological addiction, or behavioural issues that intermingle with your addiction. Rehabilitative Therapy uses different therapeutic approaches that will help you address the underlying and psychiatric reasons leading to your addiction
  • Individual & group motivational therapy
  • Relapse prevention therapy
  • Mutual aid (12 Step Programs)

Choosing a Rehab Centre

Choosing a treatment centre best suited to your individual needs takes some consideration:

  • Location – Are you wanting to be treated closer to where you live?
  • Treatment – Does the centre have trained and certified professionals suitable for your treatment? Credible programs should offer a wide selection of evidence-based therapy options to find the right mix for you
  • Does the centre offer a treatment program that you like? different treatment centres utilise different therapeutic models:
    1. 12 Step Model -A spiritual abstinence-based programme pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) where the belief is that addiction is a disease. The programme focuses on your motivation to change your addictive behaviours within the treatment and recovery process.
    2. Non 12 Step Model – These programmes focus on addiction’s multifaceted issue and offer a treatment programme that includes both physical and psychological therapy.
    3. Medical – Does the treatment centre offer medical assistance to aid your recovery? Can the centre provide medication to assist with your withdrawal?

All residential treatment centres in the UK are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (What we do | Care Quality Commission), the independent regulator of health and social care in England. All centres are individually rated to ensure that they meet the fundamental quality and safety standards for your care and treatment.

We can assist you with finding the right treatment centre for your treatment.

The Benefits of Private Rehab

  • You require concurrent detox treatment for more than one substance & require a high level of expertise.
  • You have other physical and mental health problems and need a high level of medical, nursing support
  • The environment you reside in is not conducive to your recovery
  • Being able to fully focus on your recovery without your normal life stressors
  • Less risk of coming into contact with or use Fentanyl outside of your treatment plan
  • Shorter programs due to the full-time intensive treatment

Types of Behavioural Therapies for Treating Addiction

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – the tenet of CBT is that all humans’ core beliefs can be summed up in three categories: self, others, future. (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Definition, Types, Techniques, Efficiency)

Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) – identifies irrational beliefs, actively challenges these beliefs, and teaches you to recognise and change these thought patterns.
(Different approaches to psychotherapy)

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is compatible with the 12 step program, both approaches enforce acceptance of your addiction and a broad life reorientation as opposed to just elimination of the substance use.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – DBT is about developing a therapeutic alliance between you and your therapist through unconditional acceptance within a climate of loving-kindness.

Multimodal Therapy – Also known as Combination Therapy, where a dual diagnosis is made (mix of mental health issues and substance abuse) there may be a need to treat both issues simultaneously, since trauma, family history, depression, etc may have led to your addiction developing, just treating the addiction is not enough, your mental health also requires treatment to prevent relapse. (Multimodal Therapy: Overview of Principles, Barriers, and Opportunities)

during therapy session

Paying for Treatment

Treatment for Fentanyl addiction is best undertaken at a private rehabilitation centre, many facilities offer payment plans to assist you in receiving treatment quickly.
For more information on the options available to you, please contact us.

Free Outpatient Services

No residential treatment for addiction is free, there are times where your treatment may be sponsored or funded by the NHS, Charity groups or benefactors.

The NHS (The NHS website – NHS) only offers outpatient care for the treatment of addiction and there can be waiting lists before you may start treatment, so if you require urgent admission, contact us and we will help you find the right private treatment centre for your needs.

Advice on Quitting Fentanyl

Returning to life after a rehabilitation stay can feel daunting, recovery is a lifelong commitment that may seem hard to accomplish, continued therapy, support and compassion from loved ones and renewing your commitment every day will keep you focused on sobriety.

Start with removing any Fentanyl paraphernalia from the home – needles, syringes, tablets etc so that you are not tempted to re-use, stay away from the environments and ‘friends’ that you used to use Fentanyl with.

Find a new focus like exercise which is important for good mental health and physical well-being, it also helps you feel more confident. Choose something positive to replace your old habits.

Support Groups are Useful

There is assistance available to you for every step in your recovery:

  • Join a support group, Narcotics Anonymous (UKNA | Narcotics Anonymous in the UK or call them on 0300 999 1212)
  • Involve your family in your therapy, and give them options to join support groups that are dedicated to helping families, friends and loved ones of addicts:
  • Adfam (Useful organisations)
  • Families Anonymous (Famanon)
  • Have patience with yourself – suffering from Fentanyl addiction didn’t happen overnight so easy does it, be kind to yourself. Your physical, mental and emotional help are what will carry you through this journey, ask for help when you need it.
Jason Sheirs
Author / Jason Shiers / Dip. Psych MBACP
Jason Shiers is a Certified Transformative Coach & Certified Psychotherapist who is a specialist in addiction, trauma and eating disorders. He has been working in the field of addiction for 25 years now.