Fentanyl has turned drug use in Ohio into a constant gamble. In 2023, there were 4,452 unintentional drug deaths, and nearly 80% of those deaths involved fentanyl. Drug dealers and manufacturers mix fentanyl with heroin, cocaine, meth, counterfeit pills, and countless other street drugs, massively increasing the risk of fatal overdoses. If fentanyl addiction has become a concern for you or your family, this page explains the signs to watch for, the dangers, and how Armada Recovery can support you in treatment.
Key Takeaways About Fentanyl Addiction
- Fentanyl is extremely potent, making accidental overdose common even among experienced drug users.
- Most people exposed to fentanyl do not seek it out—it is often hidden in other street drugs.
- Dependence can develop quickly, sometimes after only a few uses.
- Once dependent, stopping fentanyl without medical support is very difficult and dangerous.
- Medical detox and structured treatment greatly improve safety and long-term recovery outcomes.
- Early intervention can prevent fatal overdose and long-term health damage.
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that reshaped the entire North American drug supply in less than a decade. It was originally created for hospital use, where doses are measured in micrograms and monitored carefully by medical staff. However, huge quantities of fentanyl are now produced around the world, moved mainly through Mexico, and spread rapidly across the United States.
Unlike heroin, which depends on crop seasons and long trafficking routes, fentanyl is cheap to produce and easy to move. It is also incredibly potent, with tests finding fentanyl to be around 50 times stronger than heroin and roughly 100 times stronger than morphine. This is why fentanyl has been able to push older opioids and even heroin out of the supply so quickly.
The danger with fentanyl comes from the fact that there is no consistency at all. One batch might be weak, and the next could contain enough fentanyl to stop your breathing entirely. In 2023 alone, fentanyl was responsible for the deaths of over 72,000 Americans.
What is fentanyl addiction?
Fentanyl addiction is a medical condition where fentanyl abuse becomes something you can no longer control. What this means in reality is that you keep using fentanyl even though you know it’s dangerous, or is already harming you.
The first instance of fentanyl abuse is not the same for everyone. Some people first take fentanyl after being prescribed opioid painkillers, then buy street drugs when their prescription runs out or just isn’t strong enough for the pain anymore. Others come into contact with fentanyl through counterfeit pills or through drugs like heroin or cocaine that have been cut with it.
The problem is that fentanyl is just so strong that the path to addiction is a short one. Even if you have never taken illegal substances before, or you have a high tolerance to drugs like heroin after long-term use, your body adapts to fentanyl very quickly. After just a few uses, going without it makes you feel sick, anxious, or achy. This is called fentanyl dependence.
At this point, many people keep using to avoid these fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, not because they want to get high or experience any kind of effects. Once you are fentanyl dependent, stopping without medical help is extremely hard. You can be fully aware that fentanyl is destroying your relationships and putting your life in danger, but you keep using anyway. That is fentanyl addiction, and without professional assistance, tragic consequences are almost inevitable.
What are the signs of fentanyl addiction and abuse?
The earlier you recognizeognise that someone is using fentanyl, the better the chance of preventing a tragedy. Some of the most common signs of fentanyl abuse include:
- Euphoria followed by extreme drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Vision loss
- Headache and dizziness
- Urine retention and constipation
- Itching and/or hives
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite & weight loss
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty sleeping & nightmares
- Sweating and shaking
- Swollen extremities
While any fentanyl use is incredibly dangerous, these are some of the biggest fentanyl addiction symptoms that can show when you or someone else needs professional help:
- You end up using fentanyl even when you promised yourself you wouldn’t.
- You can’t think about any other than fentanyl, and it’s affecting every part of your life.
- You have overdosed or been in an accident.
- Most of your day revolves around getting fentanyl or recovering from it.
- The amount of fentanyl you used to take doesn’t work the same anymore.
- You avoid people or plans that might get in the way of using.
- You use fentanyl in secret or lie about how much you take.
- You keep using fentanyl even though you are experiencing these problems.
What are the dangers and side effects of fentanyl addiction and abuse?
Fentanyl addiction puts your life at risk every day. The drug is so strong and inconsistent that even one dose can cause a medical emergency. Some of the main dangers include:
- Fatal fentanyl overdose
- Breathing slowing down to the point of stopping
- Oxygen loss, resulting in brain injury
- Heart infections or valve damage
- Skin infections, ulcers, and abscesses from injection
- Blood clots and collapsed veins
- Constipation and stomach problems
- Liver and kidney strain
- Serious weight loss and poor nutrition
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues
- Memory and thinking problems
- Chronic sleep issues
- Higher risk of self-harm and suicide
- Lung issues, especially with smoking or snorting fentanyl
- Miscarriage or pregnancy complications
- Irregular or stopped periods
What does fentanyl addiction recovery involve?
Recovery starts with fentanyl detox, and doing it in a medical setting like Armada Recovery is both the safest option and the most effective one. Stopping at home can go wrong fast, and most people need medical care. You may also begin a course of stabilizing medication like methadone or buprenorphine to get through the early days.
As soon as you are feeling strong enough, fentanyl rehab begins. At our Akron or Dayton centers, you come in for outpatient therapy, where you start unpicking your life and putting it back together. This involves evidence-based therapy led by our expert team, who have years of experience in addiction treatment.
When rehab ends, support continues because early recovery is fragile. You may spend time in partial hospitalization, continue outpatient care, or stay part of our family through our alumni community.
Get help for fentanyl addiction today
If fentanyl has taken over your life or someone you love is in danger, reach out to Armada Recovery. Fentanyl is not a drug that gives second and third chances, and the best way to avoid the worst consequences is to get help today. Contact us, and we can walk you through what treatment looks like and how to begin.
Fentanyl Addiction FAQs
How addictive is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is one of the most addictive opioids available. Because of its strength, physical dependence can develop very quickly, sometimes after only a few uses.
Can you overdose on fentanyl without knowing you took it?
Yes. Many overdoses happen because fentanyl is mixed into other drugs or counterfeit pills without the person’s knowledge.
Is fentanyl withdrawal dangerous?
While fentanyl withdrawal is not usually life-threatening on its own, it can be extremely uncomfortable and lead to relapse. Medical detox greatly improves safety and comfort.
Why is fentanyl more dangerous than heroin?
Fentanyl is far stronger and less consistent than heroin. Small changes in dose can shut down breathing, making overdose much more likely.
What is the safest way to stop using fentanyl?
The safest option is medically supervised detox, often combined with medications like methadone or buprenorphine and ongoing outpatient treatment.
Where can I get help for fentanyl addiction in Ohio?
Armada Recovery offers professional treatment and outpatient care at its Akron and Dayton locations, with ongoing support throughout recovery.
References
https://www.statista.com/statistics/895954/fentanyl-overdose-deaths-us-by-gender/
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7410a3.htm
https://www.methadone.org/drugs/ohio-drug-alcohol-statistics/
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/OHIOGOVERNOR/2024/10/30/file_attachments/3052169/2023%2BUnintentional%2BDrug%2BOverdose%2BAnnual%2BReport_FINAL.pdf
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39467/2021NSDUHsaeSpecificStatesTabs122022_0/NSDUHsaeOhio2021.pdf
https://ccbh.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IncreasingRacialDisparitiesInOhioOverdoseRates_3.2025.pdf
https://www.apha.org/getcontentasset/9d45c5ab-4694-4401-9683-40288bb58147/7ca0dc9d-611d-46e2-9fd3-26a4c03ddcbb/ohio_pdo.pdf