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Long-Term Effects of Fentanyl Abuse: Risks & Treatment

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Learn about the harmful, potentially life-threatening side effects of fentanyl addiction on the brain and body. Finding effective treatment to help with recovery is vital.

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Impacts & Trends in Synthetic Opioid Abuse

Fentanyl Addiction

Opioid overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl, rose 55.6 % between 2020 and 2021. Fentanyl seems to be the main cause of the rise in drug-related deaths in the United States.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approved for treating severe pain after surgery and advanced cancer cases. It is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Doctors prescribe it in shots, tablets, transdermal patches, or lozenges.

Doctors also prescribe fentanyl under the names Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze. Unfortunately, someone can divert it for misuse and abuse.

People disguise illicit fentanyl as other prescription drugs, making it difficult to detect without a lab test. Illegal drug markets sell it as pills, eye drops, nasal drops, and powder forms for its heroin-like effect.

People often mix fentanyl with heroin and cocaine as a combination drug. This can happen with or without the user’s knowledge. The goal is to increase its short-term euphoric effects.

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Implications for Pain & Pleasure

How Does Fentanyl Effect Your Brain?

Like other opioids, fentanyl binds the brain areas that control pain and emotions. Fentanyl affects how the brain works.

When you use it for a long time, your brain becomes less sensitive to pain. This makes it difficult to feel pleasure as you normally would.

Thus, consuming a higher dosage of the medication delivers the anticipated effects. Nevertheless, your brain continually craves more. This results in sensations of bliss and tranquility, and it also alleviates persistent pain.

Eventually, the compulsion to seek and consume fentanyl will become irresistible, dominating your existence. Fentanyl’s impact varies from person to person.

This is contingent on your stature, weight, and overall health. The quantity you consume also plays a role. The impact can vary if you use it solo or in combination with other substances.

Fentanyl effects include;

Fentanyl effects include;

  • Extreme happiness
  • Drowsiness
  • Weakness
  • Constricted pupils
  • Decreased heart rate
  • Slowed respiration
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Constipation
  • Sedation
  • Problems breathing
  • Unconsciousness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Sweating 
  • Flushing
  • Tight feeling in the throat
  • Stiff or rigid muscles
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart problems

Adverse effects associated with fentanyl transdermal patches include;

  • Discoloration
  • Rash
  • Itching
  • Swelling at the site of the application
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Health, Behavioral, & Social Consequences

Long-Term Effects of Fentanyl Abuse

Continued use of fentanyl can cause severe medical conditions and societal consequences such as;

  • Respiratory problems: Opioids can slow down breathing. This happens because they affect the central nervous system. They also impact how the immune system works. Opioids increase histamine release, which can lead to breathing problems like pulmonary edema.
  • Fatal overdose and possible death: Fentanyl is an opioid that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It works by blocking pain and pleasure signals in the brain. It makes you feel happy and want to use it again when the effect fades. You keep using it, and may increase the risk of overdosing. This can be lethal and cause death if medical intervention is not sought immediately.
  • Behavioral changes: Fentanyl directly affects your behavior. Most often, the people around you will notice the signs of your addiction. You may also be in denial about it. You may realize that your loved one is showing some of these behavioral changes;
  • Drop in attendance or performance in school or work.
  • Changes in sleep patterns or constantly losing appetite.
  • Regularly encountering issues with friends or legal authorities (via disputes, mishaps, etc.)
  • Unexplainable change in personality or attitude.
  • Sudden change in mood, irritability, and angry outbursts.
  • Periods of paranoia or fearfulness.

Mental Health Problems: You may suffer from depression, anxiety, and paranoia. The neurochemicals in your brain change quickly.

The crash from the high can make you feel irritable and anxious. It can also cause stress. Repeat usage can cause long-lasting mental problems, including depression, personality disorders, anxiety, etc.

Financial and Social Issues: Using fentanyl repeatedly can lead to addiction. This addiction affects how people think and make decisions. They may not always be objective. You may enter debt to support your drug use.

You may resort to selling personal belongings to purchase fentanyl. You might also indulge in hazardous activities, such as transactional sex, to sustain your dependency. This impacts you, your acquaintances, and relatives, particularly when you encounter legal issues related to substance misuse.

Failed Relationships: When you misuse fentanyl, you may need to change your friends. You might not feel comfortable with the same people anymore. The new companions are likely to be other users.

Additionally, your fluctuating moods can cause your dear ones to distance themselves. For example, they might steer clear of you when you’re grouchy, irritable, or furious.

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Treatment Options & Strategies

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Options

If you have a Fentanyl abuse disorder, you need to treat both the substance use disorder and any mental health issues. Treatment for mental health problems and fentanyl addiction may include medication, rehabilitation, support groups, and talk therapy.

Treatment for fentanyl is similar to all other opioid use disorders but depends on the severity of the addiction. Your treatment may include inpatient and outpatient detox and medication-assisted treatment for managing cravings and preventing relapse.

To treat Fentanyl use disorder, your doctor may prescribe buprenorphine and methadone. These drugs affect the same brain receptors that fentanyl impacts, but their side effects are more manageable.

Besides, naltrexone, a medicine that stops fentanyl from affecting your body, is another substitution drug a doctor can prescribe. If someone you know is experiencing an overdose, a dose of naloxone can help temporarily reverse the effects. This can keep them safe until emergency services arrive.

For behavioral treatment, your therapy options may include the following;

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you in changing behavior and manage triggers and anxiety.
  • Motivational interviewing helps you based on your needs and mixed feelings about wanting to change and overcome addiction.

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Risks and Urgency for Professional Help

Fentanyl often causes more damage than benefit. Fentanyl and other opioids have a high risk of addiction, misuse, and overdose. This can lead to many health problems. Daily, a significant number of individuals end up in the emergency room because of complications from synthetic opioid misuse.

It has worse effects when used with other substances such as alcohol, cocaine, or heroin. This can lead to an immediate cardiovascular arrest and risk of overdose.

If you see that you or a loved one is misusing fentanyl, get help and contact emergency medical services. Talk to your doctor or call 911. This can help prevent a serious problem or save a life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fentanyl:

Why is Fentanyl so Dangerous?

Fentanyl’s high potency makes it extremely dangerous, especially when misused. Even a small amount can lead to overdose and death. Drug dealers often mix fentanyl with other drugs without telling the user. This raises the risk of accidental overdose.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Fentanyl?

Withdrawal symptoms can occur when stopping fentanyl use and may include:

  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Diarrhea and vomiting
  • Cold flashes with goosebumps
  • Uncontrollable leg movements
  • Intense cravings

These symptoms can be severe and are best managed under medical supervision.

Is it Safe to Use Fentanyl with Other Substances?

No, combining fentanyl with other substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, or heroin significantly increases the risk of severe side effects, overdose, and death. These combinations can amplify the depressant effects on the central nervous system, leading to respiratory failure.

How Widespread is Fentanyl Abuse in the United States?

Fentanyl abuse has become a major public health crisis in the United States. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, have risen sharply in recent years. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is a significant contributor to the increase in total drug overdose deaths.

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Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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