Tragically, there were 6,089 opioid overdose deaths (1) recorded in Florida alone in 2020. Emergency responders were called out to suspected opioid overdoses over 42,000 times. Addiction to Fentanyl and other opioids is raging in all communities in Florida, and no one is immune.
But the good news is that if you’re struggling with drug addiction in Florida, you can get help. There are several treatment options in West Palm Beach, Florida, that can work around your lifestyle and get you back on the road to recovery for good.
It’s time to control Fentanyl rather than letting it control you. Let’s see how Fentanyl addiction treatment in West Palm Beach, FL, can help you do that.
What is Fentanyl Addiction?
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid derived from the opioid poppy (Papaver somniferum), is prescribed by doctors to ease severe post-surgery pain or chronic pain in cancer patients. When individuals develop a tolerance to milder opioids or experience temporary increases in pain, physicians may suggest fentanyl as a treatment option.
Functioning by attaching to the brain’s pain and emotion-controlling opioid receptors, fentanyl interacts similarly to the body’s natural pain relievers, like endorphins. Endorphins, such as beta-endorphins, are released during stress, pain, or enjoyable activities like laughter, sex, or exercise. When opioids bind to these receptors, they alleviate pain and trigger pleasurable sensations via the brain’s reward circuit.
However, opioid use suppresses the production of endorphins and can excessively activate the brain’s reward system, causing feelings of euphoria. Over time, prolonged use leads to brain adaptation, making it difficult to experience pleasure without opioids like fentanyl. This adaptation can manifest as an inability to find joy in previously enjoyable activities, indicating opioid use disorder, known clinically as an addiction to fentanyl or other opioids.
Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of fentanyl addiction is fundamental in initiating appropriate treatment. Addiction, a chronic medical condition, involves intricate interplays within the brain’s circuits, genetics, environment, and life experiences. Individuals struggling with addiction exhibit uncontrollable substance use despite its detrimental impact on their lives.
A fentanyl addiction may be identified by experiencing two or more symptoms outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th edition, which clinicians utilize to diagnose opioid use disorders and other substance-related issues. These symptoms consist of:
- Increased Usage: Using more opioids than initially intended.
- Prolonged Usage: Continuing opioid use for an extended period.
- Time Allocation: Spending excessive time acquiring, using, or recovering from the effects of fentanyl or other opioids.
- Cravings: Experiencing persistent urges to use fentanyl or other opioids.
- Impaired Functioning: Inability to fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or home due to opioid use.
- Social Impact: Continued use despite negative impacts on relationships.
- Loss of Enjoyment: Sacrificing previously enjoyed activities due to opioid use.
- Engaging in Risky Behavior: Frequent opioid use in physically hazardous situations.
- Continued Use Despite Consequences: Persisting in opioid use despite recognizing physical or mental problems caused by it.
- Tolerance Development: Needing higher doses of opioids to achieve the desired effect.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing adverse effects when attempting to cease fentanyl or other opioids’ use.
Moreover, even when using fentanyl as prescribed, individuals may develop tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, indicating dependence. These criteria do not contribute to the diagnosis of an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) when the drug is prescribed as directed.
Tolerance and dependence emerge as natural outcomes of prolonged opioid use. Tolerance to fentanyl signifies the necessity for increased drug dosage to attain the anticipated effects, whether for pain relief or intoxication. As individuals persist in using the same amount of the drug, their sensitivity to its effects diminishes over time.
What Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Options Are Available in West Palm Beach, FL?
The goal of substance abuse treatment programs in Florida is to provide you with structure. They give you the tools you need to remain on your sobriety journey for life.
They recognize that everybody’s addiction is different. They take into account your past experiences, current triggers, and your personality and lifestyle.
These addiction treatment programs in FL are not one-size-fits-all. You may work with other people who have a substance abuse disorder as part of your addiction treatment therapy in FL. At other times you’ll receive one-on-one counseling and support.
The best part is that nobody is excluded. Even if you have a job, kids, and other family responsibilities, it’s still possible to make time for addiction recovery. Let’s explore the options that are available to you.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in West Palm Beach, FL
PHP is the most intensive form of addiction treatment available that allows you to continue living in your own home. It takes commitment – you’ll need to attend sessions 5-7 days a week for 4 to 6 hours per day.
Everyone’s sobriety journey is different. But as you progress, you’ll be able to transition to a less intensive form of addiction treatment. This may include the IOP or OP programs.
PHP in FL includes:
- Medication to manage withdrawal symptoms
- Individual counseling – addressing cofactors, such as mental health conditions
- Group therapy – helping you to communicate about your substance use disorder
- Family therapy – come to terms with the impact of addiction on your family and learn to move forward
- Behavioral therapies – learn new, healthy ways of managing triggers.
Who Is PHP in FL Right For?
If you’re struggling with a moderate to severe substance abuse problem, then PHP in South Florida is probably the best program for you. It’s going to take commitment over quite a long period but it leads to great results.
PHP in Florida is also suitable for people who’ve completed residential rehab. It provides ongoing support as they adjust to living in the home environment again.
Fentanyl is extremely powerful – around 50 to 100 times (2) more potent than morphine. This makes it highly addictive and also puts users at high risk of overdose. It’s important to start your addiction recovery as soon as possible, and PHP can help you make the change you need.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in West Palm Beach, FL
If you are not able to commit the time needed for PHP, the Intensive Outpatient Program in West Palm Beach, South Florida may be the best solution. Every person receives a personalized treatment plan. This will include the same services and therapies discussed under PHP.
However, the time commitment is less. You’ll need to attend about 2 to 3 hours each day, but only 3 to 5 days per week. As you make progress, this can be scaled back still further.
Who Is IOP in FL Right For?
If you need addiction treatment but don’t need detox, IOP in South Florida is probably the best option. This would indicate that your addiction is not too severe and can be managed with a few days’ attendance each week.
IOP in South Florida is also great for people who are taking either a step down or a step up in their treatment.
If you’re not getting the results, you’d hoped for from an outpatient program, then consider stepping up to the IOP in FL. It’s more intensive and requires more of a time commitment. But it can help you make progress on your sobriety journey more quickly.
IOP is also a great choice for many people coming out of residential rehab programs. If you’ve made good progress and are advised that IOP in FL is suitable, it can be a great way to successfully transition back to work and family life.
Finally, if your circumstances just won’t allow you to commit the time needed for PHP, then IOP still offers a high level of structure and support.
Outpatient Program (OP) in West Palm Beach, FL
Outpatient programs allow you to continue with your daily life and work commitments. The programs fit around your schedule, and you may even be able to access them in the evenings and weekends.
You will usually commit around 10 to 12 hours per week to the program. You’ll have a personalized treatment plan, and it will involve the therapies and treatment mentioned above. The length of time you’ll need to spend on an outpatient program depends on you and your personal progress.
Who Is OP in FL Right For?
OP is suitable for people who have a mild substance use disorder. It’s also suitable for people who have already completed more intensive forms of treatment. It can provide ongoing support to help them adjust to daily life without Fentanyl.
However, Fentanyl is a particularly powerful drug. While the Fentanyl outpatient program may be right for a few people, most Fentanyl users will benefit most from completing the PHP or IOP program first.
Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Option in West Palm Beach, FL
The right addiction treatment option in South Florida is one that best meets your needs. That said, it also needs to fit around your responsibilities to be sustainable.
When you contact our addiction treatment facility in South Florida, the care team will take you through an assessment. They’ll talk to you about your addiction and your commitments. They’ll also assess your current level of health.
Based on this assessment, the care team will recommend the most suitable type of addiction treatment.
Choose Fentanyl Addiction Treatment from Olympic Behavioral Health
The Florida Fentanyl overdose statistics are shocking, but there’s no reason for you to become part of this year’s figures.
Take action today and talk to the team at Olympic Behavioral Health. We’re situated in the beautiful city of Boynton Beach, just an hour north of Miami. Our custom PHP in FL and IOP programs in FL can help you overcome your Fentanyl addiction once and for all.
Why not call admissions at (561) 272-0800 or reach out online today?
(1) https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=SubstanceUse.Overdose
(2) nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
