Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Lakewood, NJ

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is used medically to treat severe pain, often in cancer patients or those undergoing surgery.

However, it is also manufactured and sold illegally, contributing to a significant number of overdose deaths.

Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Addiction

• Behavioral Changes: Increased secrecy, neglecting responsibilities, and social withdrawal.
• Physical Symptoms: Drowsiness, confusion, constipation, and respiratory depression.
• Psychological Effects: Euphoria, anxiety, depression, and mood swings.

Medication-Assisted Treatment:

1. Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It has a ceiling effect, meaning it is less likely to cause euphoria and respiratory depression compared to full agonists like fentanyl.
2. Naltrexone: An opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. It is used to prevent relapse by eliminating the euphoric effects of fentanyl and other opioids.
3. Vivitrol: Vivitrol is an extended-release injectable formulation of naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist.

Focus and Approach

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It helps individuals recognize and replace cognitive distortions with healthier thoughts and behaviors.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Based on CBT principles, DBT emphasizes balancing acceptance and change. It incorporates mindfulness and focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and acceptance.

Treatment Goals

• CBT: Aims to change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to improve emotional regulation and develop personal coping strategies.
• DBT: Aims to help individuals accept their current situation while working towards positive changes. It teaches skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships.

Key Components of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Fentanyl Addiction

1. Identifying Triggers: CBT helps individuals recognize the situations, thoughts, and feelings that trigger their fentanyl use. By understanding these triggers, individuals can develop strategies to avoid or cope with them.
2. Changing Thought Patterns: CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to substance use. This involves challenging irrational beliefs and replacing them with healthier, more realistic thoughts.
3. Developing Coping Skills: CBT teaches practical skills for managing stress, cravings, and other challenges without resorting to drug use. These skills can include relaxation techniques, problem-solving strategies, and assertiveness training.
4. Relapse Prevention: CBT includes strategies for preventing relapse, such as recognizing early warning signs and developing a plan to maintain sobriety. This can involve creating a support network and setting achievable goals.
5. Behavioral Strategies: CBT often incorporates behavioral techniques to reinforce positive behaviors and reduce the likelihood of drug use. This can include activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and improve overall well-being.

Key Components of DBT for Fentanyl Addiction

1. Mindfulness: Helps individuals stay present and aware, reducing impulsive behaviors and cravings.
2. Distress Tolerance: Provides strategies to cope with distressing situations without resorting to substance use.
3. Emotion Regulation: This teaches skills to manage intense emotions that might lead to drug use.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improves communication and relationship skills, reducing conflicts and stress.

Benefits of Family Therapy

1. Improved Communication: Family therapy helps improve communication among family members, fostering a better understanding of each other’s perspectives and needs.
2. Supportive Environment: It creates a supportive environment where family members can express their feelings and concerns, which can be therapeutic for everyone involved.
3. Addressing Family Dynamics: Therapy can address unhealthy family dynamics that may contribute to the addiction, helping to create a healthier home environment.
4. Education: Family members learn about addiction, its effects, and how to support their loved one in recovery.
5. Relapse Prevention: Therapy can help develop strategies to prevent relapse and support long-term recovery by involving the family.

Common Approaches in Family Therapy

• Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT): Focuses on improving relationship dynamics and communication between partners, which can enhance recovery outcomes.
• Functional Family Therapy (FFT): Aims to improve family interactions and address problem behaviors through effective communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution techniques.
• Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT): Integrates various therapeutic approaches to address the needs of adolescents with substance use disorders and their families.