A girl was introduced to fentanyl at a party with friends she met at a local bar. She took a fentanyl pill that night and found that she enjoyed the high associated with it. It became a great way for her to leave her daily stresses behind. It was like nothing she had ever tried before, and it worked better than the alcohol at getting her to loosen up.
But as time passed, she found that the longer she went without fentanyl, the more she wanted it. When she couldn’t afford it, she’d lie and steal from her sister, whom she was once very close with. But her sister could never know that she was using fentanyl. It broke her heart to hurt her sister, but fentanyl had other plans for her life. She wondered if there was any way out.
At SUN Behavioral Health Delaware, we hear stories like this all the time. In 2021, 515 people experienced an accidental overdose in Delaware. 83% of those involved fentanyl. We know that seeking treatment can be daunting. You might wonder if it will work or what will happen during treatment. You’ve probably experienced withdrawal symptoms before when you have had to go without fentanyl for longer than normal. In those moments, only fentanyl would satisfy those symptoms, so you wonder how receiving treatment could be better than anything you’ve tried. We offer no-cost care assessments that allow you to know the expectations of your specific care plan. So, what will fentanyl addiction treatment look like at SUN Delaware?
Know that getting treatment is not a sign of weakness. It is the bravest and strongest thing you can do. The process might take some time, and the results won’t happen overnight. But it is a process created to help you heal and begin your life again. Not many people regret seeking treatment. At SUN Delaware, we provide you with the necessary tools that are useful in your treatment that help you on your journey. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, commercial, and private pay as options for paying for your treatment.
For the first 3-5 days, you will undergo a medical detox as you will experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include depression, anxiety, and nausea. We will keep you safe and comfortable as you withdraw from fentanyl by monitoring your symptoms and helping you find relief. By using behavioral therapies, you will be able to learn skills that will be necessary in helping you manage any lingering symptoms you might have.
During partial hospitalization (PHP) you will be at the facility 5 days a week. This level of care can prevent the need for hospitalization. You will meet with our team of psychiatrists that will manage your medications. You will also participate in 5 group sessions a day. These groups will work on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), wellness recovery action plan (WRAP), and other coping skills training. CBT focuses on identifying, managing, and changing thought patterns, while WRAP focuses on providing wellness techniques necessary for preventing a return to use.
The next step down is an intensive outpatient (IOP). It is for those ready to move on from PHP but still need support and structure in their treatment. They will still come to the facility 5 days a week but will attend 3 group sessions daily. These groups will continue their work through CBT and WRAP. Additionally, they work through current issues in a daily process group.
You will spend your time at our facility participating in customized sessions so that you can continue to maintain your life outside of treatment. Some other components of treatment here include:
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. It can be consumed alone or mixed with other substances. This is done because fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Dealers will mix fentanyl with other substances to increase the strength of those substances. It also allows them to spread out their supply and decrease costs. Some common street names are Jackpot, Goodfellas, and Chinatown, and those who use it often feel a sense of relaxation and euphoria.
Fentanyl can be administered unknowingly if you consume other substances combined with fentanyl such as heroin. It can also be taken as a pill that mimics a prescription medication. It might also be snorted or sniffed, and some people smoke it.
The biggest danger of fentanyl is an accidental overdose. An overdose of fentanyl is a medical emergency, and it should receive medical attention immediately. Administering naloxone can help reverse the effects of an overdose. Some side effects that someone might experience during an overdose include respiratory failure, blue skin, and pinpoint pupils.
You might also experience other symptoms with repeated use of fentanyl. These might include:
Knowing when you need help can be difficult. Most people don’t want to admit that they need help. Knowing if you need help might be difficult. One of the most common signs of needing treatment for fentanyl use is if you have constant thoughts of fentanyl. You might wonder when you will next use fentanyl, get more, or any other circumstances surrounding fentanyl. You might have also lied or stolen from loved ones. While you had no intentions of hurting those loved ones, you felt fentanyl had control over you. However, recovery is still possible.
Naloxone, or Narcan, is the most common medication that can counter-interact with fentanyl overdose. A fentanyl overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. Some overdose symptoms include respiratory failure, pinpoint pupils, and blue skin.
The best treatment for fentanyl use disorder is behavioral therapy. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These therapies help give skills and techniques to help prevent a return to use.
Cocaine use can cause strokes, headaches, seizures, and comas. People who continue to use cocaine might experience restlessness, irritability, paranoia, and vertigo.
SUN Behavioral Health Delaware meets the unmet needs of Georgetown, DE. When people decide to seek treatment, they are often in a state of crisis. Crises never happen at the “most convenient time.” Some people decide to seek help when many facilities are closed, and they have changed their minds by the time a facility is open. This is why SUN Behavioral offers crisis care that will admit you into our facility 24 hours a day. For more information about fentanyl use treatment, call us today at 302-604-5600.