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The Texans have made it to the super bowl, and Houston is bustling with excitement and celebrations. With this has come news stories about parties and drug use leading to fentanyl overdoses all over Houston.
It doesn’t mean too much to you, as you live in the suburbs and really don’t get into the city very often. One of your friends is a diehard fan of the Texans, and he tells you about a crazy apartment building party happening close to the arena. All the people in the suburbs are going, from The Woodlands, to Sugar Land, and even your neighborhood, Clear Lake. But what could it hurt? Surely fentanyl isn’t everywhere.
Crazy was an understatement. There are people everywhere, jumping into the pool with their clothes on, alcohol bottles and kegs everywhere, and candy bowls filled with every color of pill possible. Your anxiety is high, and your friend can see that. Reaching into the bowl, he grabs a pill for each of you. “Cheers,” he exclaims and swallows it. It is a party, right?
This pill looks just like Xanax anyway, so it can’t be fentanyl. You take your pill and immediately feel relaxed, euphoric even. As the night goes on, things become blurry as you and your friend dance and yell chants about the Texans and continue to take random pills. The next thing you know, it is daylight. Your friend is next to you, but doesn’t look so good. He is blue in the face and you don’t think he is breathing. A panicked call to 911 and you learn that your friend has passed away. Later, you learn it was a fentanyl overdose. The pills you were taking were laced.
While most people would never touch fentanyl again, it fueled your anger and guilt. You begin using it all the time, in whatever form you can get it in. At times, you want to stop, but the guilt resurfaces and you can’t keep feeling this way. So, you keep using fentanyl until one day, you share the same fate as your friend.
In 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated that every 4 out of 10 pills found on the streets in Houston are laced with fentanyl. At SUN Behavioral Health Houston, it is our mission to address our communities and provide resources and education about fentanyl, and what treatment options are available.
Opioids such as fentanyl affect the brain, making dependence a high probability for those who use them. At SUN Behavioral Health Houston, we understand how stressful it can be to want to stop using, but not be able to due to pain. Our dedicated staff of licensed professionals have years of experience in treating those living with fentanyl use disorder, and are here 24/7 for physical, mental, and emotional support.
Our program is tailored to fit the needs of each individual patient, and we offer options specifically for women as well. We take pride in staying up to date on industry therapy options, and have implemented methods such as electroconvulsive therapy treatment (ECT) to provide breakthrough treatments for those who have not had success in the past.
Detoxing helps the body readjust to no longer having fentanyl in the system. At SUN Houston, our detox program is medically supervised, and our staff is also trained in medication management to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
While in detox, the main focus is physical wellness. Some therapies take place such as group, however; the main focus is on medically clearing the mind and body of fentanyl in order to focus on recovery.
Inpatient treatment refers to those that stay on-site at SUN Houston 24/7. This treatment consists of daily therapy and mental health assessments to find out the root causes of fentanyl use disorder. Our primary focus is on different types of therapy such as cognitive behavioral, group, and recreational. This program also has a wellness component that teaches stress management and mindfulness techniques. The length of stay can vary from patient to patient. Recovery is a long-term process and detoxification is only the first step.
Some patients choose partial hospitalization (PHP) after detox. This is a way to continue medical monitoring and enroll in therapy with a different schedule. Therapies provided are usually in a group setting and consist of cognitive behavioral therapy, coping skills training, and WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). WRAP is an evidence-based system that helps patients understand wellness techniques for relapse prevention. Our team of psychiatrists also provides comprehensive medication oversight management.
Intensive Outpatient, or IOP, is for anyone who may be stepping down from PHP. Similar to PHP, IOP follows the group therapy sessions in WRAP, cognitive behavioral, and coping skills training. Patients also can start attending support groups that utilize the 12-step method. IOP allows patients to continue on their treatment path while returning to everyday life and living at home.
Fentanyl can turn life upside down before you even realize it. While no two addiction stories are the same, there can be some signs that it is time for fentanyl use disorder treatment. Some include:
Fentanyl withdrawal can cause physical discomfort and emotional stress. When it seems that stopping fentanyl use is impossible, it is time to seek treatment. SUN Houston has a full-spectrum opioid use disorder program that can help you or someone you love take their life back from fentanyl.
Therapy is the biggest component of fentanyl use disorder treatment. While CBT helps change the ways of thinking and problem-solving, group therapy has been shown to drive success as peer stories give the most real insights into addiction. At SUN Houston, you can expect daily group therapy sessions as well as individual therapy. Skill building helps recreate the foundation of living fentanyl-free, and helps develop healthy coping strategies while also honing in on life skills.
The staff at SUN Houston provides assessments throughout treatment to keep you on the path to success. We do not define a length of treatment; it is solely based on our medical team’s assessment and your needs. Your path in fentanyl rehab may not look the same as your peers, but the end goal is the same – rediscover yourself and your strengths and find successful recovery from fentanyl use disorder.
Fentanyl is an opioid, similar to heroin or hydrocodone, but is very potent. It can be 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is synthetic and is typically used to treat those in severe pain, such as cancer patients. Prescribed fentanyl is used in medical settings, but illegally-made fentanyl is typically what is found on the streets. When fentanyl is made illegally, there is no regulation from government organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This makes street fentanyl more dangerous – no dosing or prescription information exists.
Fentanyl can be smoked, snorted, injected, swallowed, or put on the skin as a patch. Fentanyl is typically mixed with other substances such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and pills. It creates a euphoric effect on the mind and body, similar to heroin. Some side effects of fentanyl use include:
As we have mentioned, fentanyl is very potent. When mixed with other opioids like heroin, the brain can easily become overwhelmed and trigger an overdose. A lot of dealers are mixing fentanyl with cocaine or pills in order to produce a better “high.” The danger is that people using these substances don’t know that fentanyl is present, and when mixed with stimulants, the effects of each substance can seem to cancel each other out. This results in the person taking more, also increasing the likelihood of an overdose. Signs of a fentanyl overdose include:
If an overdose is ever suspected, seek medical attention immediately. Always stay with the person until help arrives, and try to keep them awake or on their side to prevent choking. If available, administer Narcan. Narcan works by stopping the effects of fentanyl on the opioid receptors in the brain. It is available over the counter at many convenience stores. Once medical professionals arrive, be honest about all substances taken and if Narcan was given. This allows them to treat the person accordingly.
No one wants to think about needing treatment for a fentanyl use disorder. Admitting to yourself and your loved ones that the grip of fentanyl has become too much can seem scary, but having support and knowing you want to break free is liberating. Taking pride in yourself and making that first step into treatment is the greatest decision you can make for yourself, and your loved ones will be just as proud.
At SUN Houston, we have heard many stories of triumph and tragedy. Our clinicians and professional staff understand that no two people started using fentanyl the same, and their recovery journeys will be just as unique as they are. Our goal is to empower you to utilize your strengths and realize your potential through proven therapy methods.
In the event of a fentanyl overdose, Narcan can be administered to counteract the effects.
Therapy is a key component in fentanyl addiction treatment. Other components include building coping skills, wellness, and life skill training.
Fentanyl can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, injected, or absorbed through the skin.
If you or someone you love is managing a fentanyl use disorder, it is never too late to ask for help. SUN Houston is available 24/7, and through our crisis care unit or free telehealth assessments, we are always ready when you need us. Call today at 713-796-2273 to learn more about our program offerings.
7601 Fannin Street
Houston, TX, 77054
Open 24 hours
