Local Rehab Speaks on Dangers of Smoking Fentanyl

Johnson City, TN – ReVIDA® Recovery is a local rehab that provides education through their blogs, including their latest installment warning about the dangers of smoking fentanyl. Serving the Appalachia area, ReVIDA® Recovery has multiple locations throughout Tennessee and Virginia.

“When someone crushes fentanyl pills (or other opioid pills that have been laced with fentanyl), they can either snort it or melt it down on aluminum foil and smoke it. Those who choose to smoke fentanyl usually do it because it is said to increase the duration of the high. Some even say it’s felt ‘more intensely’ when it’s smoked vs. when it’s injected or snorted. Others may smoke it because they believe it’s less dangerous than injecting it. Unfortunately, smoking fentanyl can lead to a whole host of problems that don’t always occur with other methods of use,” the blog reads.

There is no way to ingest a substance without side effects, and smoking fentanyl is no different. Short-term side effects include intense itching, gastrointestinal distress, nausea or vomiting, chronic dry mouth that doesn’t go away after discontinuation of use, and hot flashes. In the long-term, side effects of smoking fentanyl include insomnia, developing or worsening mood disorders (depression, anxiety), confusion, lethargy, hormonal imbalance, loss of sex drive, and chronic constipation. Smoking fentanyl specifically can lead to chronic lung problems, including worsening asthma, pneumonia, and developing a chronic cough.

Many people who smoke fentanyl aren’t even aware that they’re smoking it. It’s often laced into other substances such as cocaine or heroin. This is dangerous because fentanyl is 50-100 times more potent than heroin or cocaine. Someone may believe they’re smoking their usual dose of heroin and be surprised by the intense side effects of fentanyl. This can cause overdoses and even death if not treated in time. While some argue that smoking fentanyl is safer as there is no sharing of needles, the damage done to the lungs is still just as serious.

“Fentanyl changes the way the brain works and the way it’s wired. People who regularly use fentanyl can become dependent on it, and withdrawal symptoms can happen with discontinued use. Fentanyl withdrawals are brutal, and many feel like they need to keep using fentanyl just to avoid them. Regular use can also cause mood swings, irritability, mental health disorders, and suicidality.

Over time, fentanyl also begins to impact the body. It’s particularly hard on the liver, which is the body’s waste disposal system. When the liver stops working correctly and the body is unable to quickly dispose of substances, drugs like fentanyl can build up in the system causing organs to struggle or fail. Additionally, fentanyl use can impact someone’s ability to function at work or in their relationships. If you or someone you care about is managing a fentanyl addiction, your body and mind can heal over time in treatment,” the article continues.

ReVIDA® Recovery works to help families and loved ones understand what is happening to their loved one who uses substances. Their program is flexible to accommodate different work schedules, but also involves family members in the treatment process. Individual, group, and family therapy round out how ReVIDA® Recovery treats their patients. The program also incorporates medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as it is a proven tool in recovery. Many who have not found success before respond to MAT.

To learn more about ReVIDA® Recovery, call 423-631-0432 or visit their website.