Fentanyl use is a major issue in the United States, with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that close to 83,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2022, the majority from fentanyl and other highly dangerous substances.[1] For many, issues with substance use, such as fentanyl, are only part of the problem. Many others are also suffering from mental health conditions that need to be addressed. As a place that provides inpatient mental health in Mesa, AZ, Hope & Healing Addiction Treatment Centers can help patients who are dealing with opioid addiction and mental health disorders.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is used as a pain relief medication and anesthetic.[2] To get an idea of just how potent fentanyl can be, it is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.
While it can be prescribed for legitimate medical reasons, fentanyl is commonly synthesized in illicit labs and sold on the black market. It is also often mixed in with other drugs, making it extremely dangerous because people don’t even know what they are truly taking.
How Fentanyl Can Becoming Addictive & The Mental Health Connection
When someone uses fentanyl, it binds to opioid receptors in the brain.[3] This leads to a rush of dopamine and feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Since these feelings are short-lived, repeated use can lead to a decrease in the way the body produces its dopamine, causing feelings of depression and anxiety.
Fentanyl use can also disrupt the brain’s natural reward system. This makes people dependent on the drug to get positive feelings, leading to addiction. It also increases the risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. When someone is dealing with these mental health issues as well as substance abuse, it is referred to as a dual diagnosis.
While fentanyl use can lead to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, mental health disorders can also lead people onto the dangerous path of fentanyl use. Research indicates that people with pre-existing mental health issues are at a higher risk of using substances like fentanyl and becoming addicted.[4] This can be because people with mental health conditions often turn to substances for relief as a form of self-medication. However, this only leads to a vicious cycle because the feelings are only temporary, leading to the need to increase the amount of the substance to achieve the same effect.
Treating Mental Health Disorders and Fentanyl Use
When a patient receives treatment for a mental health disorder and substance use disorder involving fentanyl, they have a better chance of having a successful outcome. Treating one issue without addressing the other will not allow the patient to fully heal. Since the two issues are occurring together, they must be treated together.
Dual diagnosis treatment often involves an initial assessment to account for a patient’s issues and devise a treatment plan. Before treatment can begin, a patient must detox from the substance. Once the detox program is complete, a patient can begin their dual diagnosis treatment. This can include a variety of therapy options as well as medication if necessary.
Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan to help them have the best chance of recovery and learning how to live a fulfilled life without substances. Patients also learn healthy coping mechanisms that can help them deal with their mental health issues without resorting to substance use.
Benefits of Receiving Dual Diagnosis Treatment
People who receive dual diagnosis treatment for fentanyl use and a mental health disorder will benefit from an improved quality of life. Addressing both conditions simultaneously gives patients the comprehensive treatment they need to succeed in life.
More Effective Treatment
If a fentanyl addiction is treated and a mental health disorder is ignored, the chances of someone relapsing can be greater because the mental health disorder was never addressed. A patient can not expect to recover if one issue is still lingering, even if the other is being treated.
Learn Positive Coping Skills
Dual diagnosis treatment aims to treat the mind and body by providing positive coping skills. Patients learn how to better manage their stress and emotions, which can lead to substance use. Exercising, meditating, and being creative through the arts, are all ways that patients can learn how to cope with the feelings that can lead to substance use.
Improved Physical Health
Fentanyl use can impact physical health due to the damage it can have on the body. As people learn how to take care of themselves by getting the proper nutrition and rest, they can see improvements in their physical and mental health.
Ongoing Support
Since therapy is part of a dual diagnosis program, patients receive ongoing support to help them in their treatment. They can also participate in support groups, which allow them to share their feelings and hear from others who are having the same struggles. This can help people persevere on the path to sobriety and experience better mental health even when times get tough.
Are You Looking for Inpatient Mental Health in Mesa, AZ? Contact Hope & Healing Addiction Treatment Centers
Hope & Healing Addiction Treatment Centers is here to provide the dual diagnosis treatment that people need to deal with a mental health condition and fentanyl addiction. Our inpatient mental program provides the structured environment that many patients need to help them fully recover. Support is available 24/7. Patients also have access to individual and group therapy sessions to help get them on the road to recovery.
Hope & Healing also provides wellness activities to help people heal physically, emotionally, and mentally. Contact the team at Hope & Healing Addiction Treatment Centers to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment program and other treatment options.
Sources:
[1] https://blogs.cdc.gov/nchs/2023/05/18/7365/ [2]https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl [3] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl [4] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
As the Director of Community Relations, Michael’s focus is on creating and maintaining strong relationships with individuals and organizations in the community we serve. His goal is to offer our program as a resource to those seeking treatment for addiction and general mental health. He is driven, passionate, and feels a sense of purpose in his work—confident that his experience has value and can help others find the miracle of recovery.
As the Director of Community Relations, Michael’s focus is on creating and maintaining strong relationships with individuals and organizations in the community we serve. His goal is to offer our program as a resource to those seeking treatment for addiction and general mental health. He is driven, passionate, and feels a sense of purpose in his work—confident that his experience has value and can help others find the miracle of recovery.
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