ReVIDA® Recovery Johnson City, a recovery center based in Johnson City, TN, has recently released a blog post that warns about the dangers of taking heroin laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times stronger than heroin and has been responsible for 60 percent of the 100,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020. Unfortunately, many of those who have passed away due to fentanyl overdose were not even aware that they took fentanyl. This is because many drug dealers often lace the drugs they are selling, such as heroin, with fentanyl to boost potency. Thus, it is important to know that fentanyl may be hidden in other drugs.

Fentanyl is a prescription drug for cases of extreme or post-surgical pain, and it is heavily monitored and only prescribed to a patient for a short period of time. The danger is when fentanyl is taken illegally or beyond the doctor’s prescription. Individuals who take heroin or other opioids for a prolonged period have built a tolerance to the drug, which means that they need to take a higher dosage to get the same effect that they are looking for. This is why there is a risk of overdose, which can result in death if it isn't caught in time. With fentanyl, the possibility of overdose is much higher because of its strength.

Another problem with fentanyl is that it is virtually impossible to detect its presence in heroin and other drugs because it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Not realizing that they are taking fentanyl with their usual drug, people can become dizzy, disoriented, listless, fatigued, or even unconscious. Opioids like heroin and fentanyl work directly on the central nervous system through opioid receptors. These opioid receptors are found in various locations in the nervous system and are responsible for feelings of pleasure. Because the nervous system affects thinking, speech, breathing, movement, and all five senses, the typical side effects of mixing fentanyl and heroin include withdrawal symptoms like tremors, fatigue, nausea, nightmares, insomnia, depression panic attacks, and more; central nervous system disorders like paranoia, hallucinations, breathing problems, brain changes, difficulty walking or standing, increase or decrease in heart rate, and movement problems; and overdose, which may include a limp body, shallow breathing, sweating, cold or clammy skin, choking or gurgling sounds, and loss of consciousness.

ReVIDA® Recovery in Johnson City offers various kinds of treatment for heroin use disorder. These include structured outpatient treatment; medication-assisted treatment (MAT); buprenorphine (Suboxone) treatment; counseling, and group therapy. The outpatient program they offer is structured and flexible. And their evidence-based treatment includes individual and group therapy, 12-step meetings, and education classes. They will also connect clients to various resources and community partners. The MAT program is designed to reduce any withdrawal symptoms and make the recovery journey as comfortable as possible. Additionally, their medically supervised Suboxone® (buprenorphine) program can help in calming the mind and preparing the body for treatment while offering support for long-term opiate addiction.

ReVIDA® Recovery in Johnson City was established to promote safe and healthy communities by allowing people to recover after struggling with an opioid use disorder. They are developing a premier network of outpatient recovery centers that are focused on clinical excellence and industry-leading results. Their clinical expertise, which is based on science and data, is used to drive their evidence-based practices. They are proud of their work and they will publicly counteract any and all stigma related to addiction. ReVIDA® is a comprehensive behavioral healthcare provider that includes the provision of MAT for opioid use disorder,

ReVIDA® Recovery promotes safe and healthy communities by empowering individuals to reclaim their lives from opioid use disorder. Those who are interested in getting more information about the services offered by ReVIDA® in Johnson City can call 423-455-9321 or visit their website. They are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, from Monday through Friday.

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For more information about ReVIDA Recovery® Johnson City, contact the company here:

ReVIDA Recovery® Johnson City
423-631-0432
generalinfo@revidarecovery.com
3114 Browns Mill Road,
Johnson City, TN, 37604