Fentanyl Rehab in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers many options for people in need of Fentanyl rehab. Quite often, people get addicted to drugs without fully realizing how dangerous they are. They may not know where to turn to get help, or they may believe that treatment will not work for them.

Fentanyl is a dangerous opioid drug that has been a major factor in the opioid epidemic of today. There have been many people that have died because of it, and still more continue to get addicted to this substance. Fortunately, recovery is possible with the right treatment and support.

Pennsylvania Fentanyl Statistics

Fentanyl is showing up more often on the streets in Pennsylvania, and pharmaceutical diversion in this state is a very real problem. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that there were 4,415 drug overdose deaths in the state in 2018. Of those deaths, 65% (or 2,866) of them involved the use of opioids.

In 2018, the DEA reported that:

• More than 97% of counties in PA have been impacted because of increased Fentanyl availability.
• More Fentanyl on the streets has contributed to a 65% overall increase in drug overdose deaths in the state between 2015 and 2017.
• 8.5% of drugs seized by law enforcement in the state include Fentanyl or related substances.
• Many drug seizures involve drugs like Tramadol that also contain Fentanyl, which makes them highly dangerous.

One doctor in Pennsylvania was writing excessive amounts of opioid prescriptions for his patients. The DEA stated that he wrote 56,000 of them over a 59-month period, which included 6 million doses of oxycodone, hydrocodone and Fentanyl.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is as much as 100 times more powerful than morphine. It is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act, and it is typically prescribed to patients with severe pain. Sometimes doctors will prescribe it for patients who are opioid-tolerant. This means that their pain no longer responds to other opioids.

When patients are prescribed Fentanyl, they usually receive it in the form of a shot, a patch for their skin, or lozenges that are similar to cough drops. Illegal Fentanyl is much different. It is created in illicit laboratories, which make it into a powder, added to nasal sprays, placed onto blotter paper or added to pills that look like other drugs.

It is very common for drug dealers to occasionally mix Fentanyl with other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin or MDMA. This has resulted in a lot of drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania. Sadly, it is a practice that causes many dealers to be revered by their customers because their products are more addictive.

How Easy is it to Overdose on Fentanyl?

It is extremely easy for people to overdose on Fentanyl; whether they know they are taking it or not. The vast majority of people who die as a result of these overdoses never know that this drug has been mixed with another substance when they take it.

Fentanyl is very powerful and it is also inexpensive. This makes it the perfect candidate to increase drug potency, which is why drug dealers will often mix it with other drugs. As little as two milligrams of Fentanyl can be a deadly dose, depending on personal factors. 26% of tablets that have been tested for Fentanyl contained a lethal amount of this drug; as much as 5.1 milligrams in some cases.

What are the Signs of Opioid Addiction?

Not everyone knows how to tell if they are addicted to an opioid drug, and families may not be aware of the signs they should look for in their loved ones. According to the CDC, some common signs of opioid addiction include:

• Attempting to cut down one’s opioid use or stop altogether without success.
• Decreased productivity at work or mistakes on the job as a result of using opioids.
• Relationship problems with loved ones.
• Developing a tolerance, which means more of the drug is needed to get the same effects.
• Having strong cravings for opioids.

How Many Drug Rehab Programs are There in Pennsylvania That Offer Fentanyl Treatment?

According to the SAMHSA treatment locator tool, there are 564 drug treatment programs in Pennsylvania that offer help for people with Fentanyl addiction. These include the following types of facilities:

• Drug detox
• Inpatient rehab
• Long-term rehab
• Intensive outpatient programs
• Partial hospitalization programs
• Outpatient drug therapy

What Options are Available to People in PA for Fentanyl Rehabilitation Programs?

People who live in Pennsylvania should have no trouble finding the right drug treatment programs to help them recover. Fentanyl addiction is a very serious problem, and because of the risk of relapsing and overdosing, no one should try to quit on their own.

Drug Detox

Drug detox is critical for people who are addicted to opioids; especially Fentanyl because of its potency. Stopping its use will cause people to go into withdrawal, which can be very difficult to manage without professional help.

The most common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Anxiety and feelings of agitation
• Insomnia
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea

Medication assisted treatment is a form of detox that is highly recommended for people who are addicted to Fentanyl. MAT involves the use of behavior therapy in combination with FDA-approved medications that can help lessen the severity of withdrawal.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab centers require a 28-day stay at a facility where addiction treatment is offered. Many provide in-house detox services, and patients participate in various types of therapy and activities.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

There are a few different types of outpatient rehab centers people can choose from as well. They are:

• Intensive outpatient programs, which typically operate during the evening hours. Clients come to treatment 3-5 times a week, but can continue to work during the day.
• Partial hospitalization programs, which operate during the day. Clients come to treatment as often as 5 days per week and participate in therapeutic activities.
• Traditional outpatient rehab and counseling, which involves working with a therapist one-on-one as often as 3 times per week for shorter appointments.

Long-Term Rehab

Long-term rehabilitation may be needed by people who have been addicts for a long time, or who have a history of relapsing. Patients can stay at the facility for several months at a time while they receive intensive treatment for their addictions.

Aftercare Programs in PA for Fentanyl Addiction Recovery

When a person is ready to move on from their current addiction treatment provider, they should always receive a referral for more care. Aftercare is critical and participation gives people the best possible chance of remaining in recovery.