Fentanyl, brand name Duragesic, is an opium-derived narcotic pain reliever similar to but more potent than morphine. The most commonly prescribed form is the transdermal (delivers through the skin) patch, which continually releases a specific amount of drug over time. Fentanyl treats chronic pain and is highly addictive, so careful monitoring by medical professionals is required. The high potency and low cost of Fentanyl makes it ideal for illicit use by drug abusers.
Physical
Opiates, including Fentanyl, attach to the opiate receptors in the body and alter the reward receptors in the brain. Once bound to the opiate receptors, the level of dopamine (a neurotransmitter in the brain responsible for behaviors, movement, motivation and more) increases, initiating euphoria and relaxation. As a class II prescription medication, Fentanyl is highly physically addicting and a high risk for abuse.
It is not always easy to detect when someone is abusing opiate medications like Fentanyl; however, there are some physical signs, even if a person has developed a tolerance to the drug. If the pupils (the black center of the eye) are very small even in a dark room, like a pinpoint, is a useful sign.
Fentanyl depresses the central nervous system, causing a loss of alertness. This can cause nodding, temporarily falling asleep even during conversations or while standing. Those who have abused Fentanyl for long periods of time may become tolerant to this effect.
Emotional
Fentanyl induces feelings of euphoria in most abusers. This can cause a person to appear either overly happy or indifferent, especially to difficult situations. The euphoria does not last long, changing to irritability until the next dose. Many abusers will feel guilt and the abuse can even lead to thoughts of suicide.
Behavioral
Those abusing Fentanyl are likely to show changes in daily behaviors. Drug-seeking behavior, including prescription tampering or doctor shopping (going to several doctors trying to gain prescriptions), is a sign of abuse. Other behavioral changes include loss of interest in normal daily activities, change in performance at work or school and withdrawal from friends and family.
Withdrawal
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Fentanyl after prolonged use is a sign of addiction. Withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur within a few hours after the last dose. These symptoms can include an intense craving for more drugs, sweating, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, yawning, restlessness, weakness, cramps, diarrhea, chills, irritability, agitation, muscle pain and twitching. In the most severe cases of addiction, seizures can occur, so it is best to go through withdrawal while under medical supervision.
