Concurrent Alcohol and Fentanyl Abuse
Alcohol and Fentanyl Abuse
Alcohol and fentanyl are drugs of dependence that are dangerous and highly addictive. Frequent or long-term use can result in many negative consequences, including death. Concurrent substance use disorders involving alcohol and Fentanyl (or other opiate drugs) can be quite difficult to overcome and usually require treatment to stop.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is prescribed to manage chronic or breakthrough pain (flare-ups of discomfort or severe pain while on pain medications). It is prescribed for at-home use as lozenges, tablets, patches, and injections.
Fentanyl is typically abused for its extremely potent high. As fentanyl prescriptions and black market supply has surged over recent years, the risk of concurrent alcohol and fentanyl abuse has risen to match.
Using fentanyl concurrently with alcohol heightens the risk of negative consequences of the drugs and can lead to death.
Signs and Symptoms
Fentanyl Use
- Nausea.
- Constipation.
- Lethargy.
- Slowed breathing.
- Constricted pupils.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Respiratory depression.
- Coma.
Alcohol Use
- Drastic mood changes.
- Problems speaking.
- Decreased coordination.
- Poor decision making.
- Poor attention or memory.
- Slurred speech.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Coma.
Simultaneous Use
- Markedly depressed/irregular heart rate.
- Risk of breathing issues, including respiratory arrest.
- Nausea/uncontrollable vomiting.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Coma.
- Death.
Effects of Fentanyl and Alcohol Abuse
Fentanyl is an opioid. The effects of fentanyl use will be similar to those of illicit substances like heroin and medications like morphine. The side effects will be greater, though, since fentanyl is 30-50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the DEA.
The risks of combining alcohol and fentanyl come from several sources:
- The higher than expected potency of fentanyl.
- The high tendency for the user to become physically and psychologically dependent on both alcohol and fentanyl.
- The common effect of both drugs to depress respiratory functioning.
Over time, someone can develop a tolerance to both alcohol and fentanyl. This means that larger quantities of the substances must be consumed in order to achieve the same desired effect.
Treatment for Fentanyl and Alcohol Addiction
Addiction treatment is typically a necessity for those who’ve found themselves dependent on one or both of these very potent and addictive substances. Treatment is made up of a number of facets, typically starting with detox and withdrawal.
Assessment and Detox
It’s extremely important to detox and withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision, as withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Ending use of fentanyl and alcohol without professional treatment is never advisable. Attempting to do so alone can result in extreme physical distress or death.
Instead, someone dealing with addiction and dependence should seek an assessment from a medical or addiction professional. The assessment can:
- Identify the level of fentanyl addiction and dependence.
- Identify the level of alcohol addiction and dependence.
- Explain risks of continued use.
- List appropriate treatment options.
One of the important first steps towards ending one’s dependence on fentanyl and alcohol is to complete a period of detox and withdrawal. This process will alleviate the physical dependence by allowing the short-term effects of alcohol and fentanyl to abate as each substance clears from one’s system in a safe, controlled environment.
This process is monitored by medical professionals to ensure the well-being and safety of the patient and to preclude any adverse medical events taking place as a result of withdrawal symptoms that include those listed below.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from alcohol can lead to the following symptoms:
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Insomnia.
- Fever.
- Confusion.
- Irritability.
- Hallucinations.
- Seizures.
Withdrawal symptoms of fentanyl include:
- Pain in bones and muscles.
- Insomnia.
- Diarrhea.
- Fever.
- Cold flashes/cold sweats.
- Agitation.
Medication Administration
As an integral part of some substance abuse treatment programs, medications may be used during and/or after detox to help restore balanced brain functioning and lower risk of relapse by decreasing desire for the substance. For opioid dependence, methadone or buprenorphine are commonly prescribed. They both:
- Reduce cravings.
- Relieve withdrawal symptoms.
- Help to end negative patterns related to obtaining fentanyl.
For alcohol dependence, medications may be given to:
- Block the positive impact of alcohol.
- Relieve withdrawal symptoms.
- Trigger uncomfortable sensations when alcohol is consumed.
Addiction Treatment
Following detoxification, the patient will have a number of treatment options, including:
- Outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization programs, and inpatient drug and alcohol treatment.
- Outpatient group or individual mental health treatment.
- Residential treatment.
- 12-Step programs.
Along with therapy and medication, aftercare planning and relapse prevention are paramount for someone in recovery. Working with a treatment team, the patient will identify triggers and plan positive coping skills to reduce the risk of relapse when cravings present.
Fortunately, many treatment options exist to address specific levels of dependence and addiction to fentanyl and alcohol. If you are interested in learning more about treatment, call for free at to talk to someone about the best course of action.
Key Statistics
Fentanyl abuse is in a period of growth. Consider the following statistics from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA):
- Over the past few years, fentanyl has averaged over 6.5 million prescriptions per year.
- According to law enforcement reports, incidents of illicit distribution of fentanyl in 2014 numbered more than 3,300. This is an increase greater than 3 times that of the previous year.
- From 2007 to 2011, fentanyl-related ER visits increased by 30% to more than 20,000 incidents.
- In 2013, fentanyl caused the deaths of 185 individuals in Florida alone.
- Studies have found that most opioid overdoses which resulted in fatalities involved the simultaneous use of other drugs, including alcohol.
Fentanyl and Alcohol Abuse in Teens
Alcohol is the most frequently abused drug by 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Teen fentanyl abuse is more challenging to measure since numbers are lower.
It’s extremely important to stress to teens that prescription drug abuse, such as opiate use, can be enormously dangerous, and it can evolve into a full-fledged addiction and the use of other drugs. In fact, NIDA reports that almost 50% of people that inject heroin report abusing prescription opiates like fentanyl first.
Prevention
You can help prevent your teen from abusing fentanyl and alcohol by:
- Discussing with them the dangers of alcohol and prescription drug abuse. Remember, you should have these talks on a regular basis—not just once.
- Keeping all fentanyl locked away, if you have a prescription for it.
- Disposing of used fentanyl patches properly since the used patch can still be abused. Experts recommend folding the sticky part of the patch against itself and flushing it down the toilet. Do not place it in the trash.
- Being aware of money or prescriptions missing from the home.
- Monitoring your teen’s behavior, habits, and friends. Take action when something seems off.
- Paying attention for signs and symptoms of alcohol or fentanyl abuse (see below).
Learn more about teen drug and alcohol misuse.
Resources, Articles and More Information
To learn more, visit the following pages:
- The Effects of Alcohol
- How to Help Someone With Fentanyl Addiction
- Fentanyl Overdose
- Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment
To learn more about rehab programs and treatment options, contact a caring admissions navigator with American Addiction Centers (AAC) for free at .
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