Fentanyl, Mental Health, & The Response from Addiction Treatment

Things have changed regarding addiction, mental health, and rehabilitative treatment. No longer is substance abuse and dependence seen as a one-off issue. It isn’t viewed as isolated. Now, the consequences of poor mental health and addiction is quite literally in our backyard. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom.

With new drugs and a focus on mental health, the response of substance abuse has also changed. There is a more comprehensive view of addiction, the drugs that are being used, and the mental health of the person. Between newer drugs like fentanyl, the mental health of our country, and growing knowledge about biology and psychology, below are some ways that addiction treatment is responding.

Emphasis on Overall Mental Health

Addiction, after all, is a mental health issue. For a long time, this wasn’t accepted. Things are changing. Now, substance abuse is widely categorized under the umbrella of mental health. This has come with a new outlook on addiction treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment sprung up in response to addiction and mental health problems.

Dual diagnosis is when an addiction facility doesn’t just spend time treating the substance abuse, but also responds to the mental health of the person. When someone is addicted to something, the odds are they’re also struggling with an underlying mental health issue.

If the underlying issues aren’t dealt with, it will be difficult for that person to stay sober and happy. This is a human condition. We must heal and the emphasis on comprehensive mental health has helped people get sober and have given professionals tools to facilitate the process.

Treating Addictions to New Drugs

While prescription opioids have been around for a long time now, they have continued to get stronger and more widespread. You’ve probably heard of fentanyl. It is one of the strongest synthetic opioids you can find. It is typically around 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It isn’t the only new opioid hitting the streets, but it has become widely used by people addicted to heroin and drug dealers looking to cut other drugs.

This has resulted in addictions to fentanyl. Even a little bit is very powerful. Few people are taking fentanyl as their drug of choice, but some people start taking it accidentally. To respond to this, addiction professionals are specializing in their treatment. If someone is addicted to fentanyl, the withdrawal process and subsequent treatment is going to be different than any other drug. Now, if you need fentanyl, opioid, or opiate treatment you can find it.

Diversity of Treatment Options

The changes in addiction and treatment have also led to new options. Each person is different. Each addiction is different. Everyone needs different things at different times. There have never been more options. In addition to dual diagnosis treatment, there are a variety of options to find the right one for the person and the situation. For example, there are inpatient, outpatient, residential, and luxury rehab options.

First, inpatient is the most common form of addiction rehab. This is when a person goes into a facility for about a month to detox, begin counseling, and start going to 12-step meetings. While it’s fairly standard, this option isn’t for everyone.

Another option is outpatient treatment. Essentially, it’s the same regimen except the person doesn’t need to stay at the facility at night. Outpatient is for the highly functioning people who might need to take care of their families or go to work. Even people who have kept it together need adequate treatment. Outpatient is a good option.

Residential treatment is when a person goes into a rehab clinic that is in a house. They live in this environment, which is supportive and free of temptation, for as long as they need to. They organize meetings with the other housemates and get structure they may have not had before.

Lastly, luxury rehab is for the people who can afford to spend a lot of money on treatment. Some people want the best counselors, psychologists, and orderly staff money can buy while others want to take advantage of the amenities at the facility. Some have a pool, spa, massage therapists, and outdoor outings. It can be the solution if the person wants to get away and disconnect from the stress of life.

Addiction treatment has changed a lot over the years. This is partly because these professionals have learned more about addiction and partly due to the growing demand. Luckily, rehab treatment has evolved with the times.