In the fentanyl vs heroin debate, there are similarities and differences. Perhaps the most significant similarity is that they’re both addictive opioids. What do you need to know about the other connections between these drugs? Most importantly, what are your options if you’re struggling with addiction?
How Opioids Work
At the fentanyl addiction treatment center Los Angeles trusts, therapists frequently work with people who abuse opioids. Both fentanyl and heroin relieve pain. Similarly, they both cause euphoric highs. Therein lays their addiction potential.
Fentanyl vs Heroin
Whereas fentanyl is a legal drug with medical applications, heroin’s an illegal street drug. Fentanyl is about 100 times more potent than morphine. It’s about ten times stronger than heroin. Some of fentanyl’s deadly outcomes are due to the drug’s inclusion in heroin.
Pushers cut heroin with fentanyl to boost the high and stretch the drug. Because users don’t know that their heroin was contaminated, they may overdose. Moreover, the street-grade fentanyl is of a different purity than what comes out of standard labs. If you abuse either drug today, you run the risk of dying.
In the fentanyl vs heroin debate, it’s essential to know the overdose symptoms. It starts with dizziness and overall confusion. For heroin, there’s extreme tiredness and more nodding behavior than usual. Fentanyl acts more quickly; someone may fall unconscious within minutes.
A person’s breathing pattern changes. It becomes shallower and eventually stops. Death is imminent.
Getting Help Before It’s Too Late
Don’t let the fentanyl vs heroin debate lead you to believe that one drug’s safer than the other one. That’s not the case. Both are addictive opioids that can have potentially deadly outcomes. However, therapy is a way to counteract addiction.
Work with a rehab facility that offers medical detoxification. It’s the first step for ending a physical dependency. Possible care approaches include:
- Mens detox center and women’s detox center that focuses on your unique physical needs to ease discomfort
Medication-assisted treatment to help you deal with the cravings
Group therapy program that lets you use peers in recovery as a sounding board for your feelings and thoughts
Individual therapy program as a way of setting goals for rehab after detox
Psychotherapy therapy program that assists with the depression that frequently comes with opioid withdrawal
What Rehab Looks Like
After detox, you’re ready to enter rehab. This is the process that helps you overcome the psychological addiction. You learn why the drug hooked you in the first place. Besides that, you examine what different coping mechanisms you might be able to use in the future.
Most importantly, you relearn how to function around peers without using. Almost all former users have to relearn how to set healthy boundaries and build self-confidence. During 12 Step meetings, a lot of this learning takes place. These meetings are also instrumental in relapse prevention training.
Now that you know the details in the fentanyl vs heroin debate, isn’t it time to get help? You don’t have to continue risking your health and life. Contact us today.
About the author
