Fentanyl Addiction in Veterans: Effects & Treatment

Fentanyl is an exceptionally potent opioid, notorious for its high potential for addiction and its involvement in a significant number of overdose fatalities. Veterans encounter specific challenges and circumstances related to their service that could heighten their vulnerability to developing an addiction to opioids such as fentanyl.²

On this page, we will delve into the serious dangers associated with fentanyl use, including its effects on the body and mind, as well as the difficult withdrawal symptoms that individuals may experience when attempting to stop using the drug.

We will explore a range of treatment options available for Veterans struggling with fentanyl addiction, highlighting both medical and therapeutic interventions designed to assist in recovery and promote long-term well-being.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that may be prescribed to treat severe pain or misused for its euphoric effects. Despite legitimate prescription uses in pharmaceutical form, the drug is sometimes diverted for non-medical misuse and also manufactured illicitly to be sold on the black market.^1,3

Fentanyl is more powerful than most other opioids. It is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and is linked to dangerous side effects and overdose risks.³

Fentanyl is available in many different forms. Prescription fentanyl is available as an injectable solution, transdermal patch, oral lozenges, or sublingual and buccal dissolving tablets. Illegally manufactured fentanyl can be encountered on the illicit market as:¹

• A powder.
• Pills.
• Liquid form put in eye droppers, sprays, or on blotter paper.

Fentanyl powder may be mixed with other drugs or taken on its own and either snorted, smoked, or dissolved into liquid and injected.¹

Dealers often mix fentanyl in with other drugs because fentanyl is relatively cheap to manufacture and elicits a strong high. Lacing other drugs with fentanyl can be especially dangerous for people who are not expecting it and may not have developed an opioid tolerance.¹

Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means that fentanyl has a high risk of misuse and addiction.³

In 2021, there were more than 70,000 overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.⁴

Is Fentanyl Addictive?

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has the potential to lead users to develop a significant physiological dependence on the drug. This dependence arises when the body becomes accustomed to the drug’s presence, adapting to its effects over time. When fentanyl is unavailable, the body strives to regain its equilibrium, which can trigger a range of withdrawal symptoms.

For individuals who have formed a dependence on fentanyl, there often exists an overwhelming sensation of needing the drug to cope with daily life and achieve a sense of normalcy. This imperative can propel them toward compulsive drug-seeking behaviors and ultimately result in addiction.

The use of opioids like fentanyl significantly affects the brain’s reward system through increased dopamine activity. Dopamine, a critical neurotransmitter, plays a vital role in regulating feelings of motivation, pleasure, and reward.

When individuals consume fentanyl, there is a consequential surge in dopamine levels in specific regions of the brain associated with these sensations.

This heightened dopamine activity reinforces the desire to continue using the drug, creating a cycle that persists despite the severe adverse effects associated with fentanyl use. The gratification felt can overshadow the dangerous risks, meaning that users often prioritize the drug above their health and well-being.

Certain individuals may find themselves at a significantly heightened risk of developing an addiction to powerful substances such as fentanyl. Various risk factors contribute to this vulnerability:

Genetic Predisposition

A notable factor is genetics; individuals with a family history of substance abuse are statistically more likely to struggle with addiction themselves. Research indicates that genetics can account for approximately 40 to 60% of an individual’s susceptibility to addiction, suggesting that inherited traits may influence neurological responses to drugs.

Environmental Influences

The environment in which a person grows and develops plays a critical role in their potential for addiction. Factors such as an unstable home life, peer pressure from friends who abuse substances, or exposure to drug use within the community can significantly increase risk. Additionally, socioeconomic status is a critical element—those who experience poverty often face added stressors that can lead to substance use as a coping mechanism.

Traumatic Experiences

Trauma is another significant contributor to the likelihood of addiction. Individuals who have endured traumatic events, whether in childhood, teenage years, or adulthood, are at greater risk. This includes survivors of abuse, accidents, or natural disasters. Moreover, veterans who have experienced deployment or combat are particularly vulnerable; many develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can create a powerful impetus for turning to drugs as a way to manage their emotional pain and distress.

Understanding these risk factors is crucial in addressing and potentially preventing addiction in susceptible populations.

Many people develop an addiction to opioids after first being prescribed pain medication. This may be of particular concern for Vets, who are more likely than the general population to suffer from chronic pain. Mental health struggles—also commonly experienced by service men and women—is another strong contributing factor in developing an addiction.

Adverse Effects of Fentanyl Use

Fentanyl can cause a range of negative effects. Some of these effects may not only be uncomfortable, but even dangerous. Potential adverse effects of fentanyl include:¹

• Sedation.
• Drowsiness.
• Confusion.
• Nausea.
• Constipation.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Loss of consciousness.

Fentanyl Overdose

Overdose is another possible risk of using Fentanyl. A fentanyl overdose is potentially fatal and requires immediate medical attention.^1,7

Signs of an opioid overdose include:⁷

• Loss of consciousness.
• Slow or shallow breathing.
• Choking or gurgling sounds.
• Blue or purplish lips and fingernails.

If you suspect a fentanyl overdose, try to wake the person up by rubbing your knuckles on their sternum or upper lip. If the person does not wake up and remain responsive, call 911 right away and administer naloxone if it is available. Remain with them until emergency medical attention arrives.⁷

What Are the Effects of Long-Term Fentanyl Misuse?

Chronic fentanyl use can lead to a number of health risks. Some of the potential health effects of chronic fentanyl use may include:⁸

• Chronic constipation and increased risk of bowel obstruction.
• Increased risk of a heart attack.
• Chronic dry mouth and related tooth decay.
• Suppressed immune system response.
• Osteoporosis.
• Fractures and other injuries from falling.
• Depression.
• Hypogonadism and infertility.
• Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.
• Cumulatively increased risk of overdose.

Addiction is also a serious risk of long-term fentanyl use.⁸ Fentanyl addiction—known clinically as opioid use disorder (OUD)—can lead to serious negative consequences in all aspects of someone’s life.^1,9

What Are the Signs of Fentanyl Addiction?

Fentanyl addiction is characterized by continued fentanyl use despite significant negative consequences.¹ The diagnostic criteria for an opioid use disorder involving fentanyl use include:⁹

• Taking more fentanyl over time or for a longer period of time than planned.
• A persistent desire to quit or failed efforts to cut down on fentanyl use.
• Spending long amounts of time getting, using, or recovering from fentanyl.
• Experiencing cravings for fentanyl.
• Inability to keep up with obligations at home, work, or school because of fentanyl use.
• Continuing to use fentanyl even though it has caused recurrent social or interpersonal problems.
• Giving up previously important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of fentanyl.
• Using fentanyl in dangerous situations (e.g., while driving).
• Continuing to use fentanyl even though it has caused or worsened physical or psychological problems.
• Developing tolerance: A need for more fentanyl to feel the same effects or experiencing less of an effect from the same amount of fentanyl over time. (This criterion does not apply to people that are prescribed fentanyl and taking it as directed.)
• Experiencing withdrawal when ceasing or reducing fentanyl use. (This criterion does not apply to people that are prescribed fentanyl and taking it as directed.)

To be diagnosed with OUD by a medical or mental health professional, someone must exhibit 2 or more of the above criteria within a 12-month period.⁹

Withdrawal & Detoxing from Fentanyl

Fentanyl misuse can increase the risk of significant physical dependence.¹ Fentanyl withdrawal can be very uncomfortable, but it is not usually life-threatening. However, in some cases, severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can occur, which can be dangerous without medical support.¹⁰

The discomfort of acute fentanyl withdrawal can also lead to relapse during early recovery. Medical detox can make the fentanyl withdrawal process much safer and more comfortable.¹⁰

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

People dependent on fentanyl may develop withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug. Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within a few hours of taking the drug. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can include:¹

• Sleep disturbances.
• Strong fentanyl cravings.
• Bone and muscle pains.
• Chills and goosebumps.
• Uncontrollable leg movements.
• Gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and vomiting.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment for Veterans

Treatment for fentanyl addiction often begins with medical detox. The primary goal of detox is to stabilize a person during withdrawal. During detox, medical staff closely monitor withdrawal symptoms and administer medications as needed to reduce discomfort.^5,10

While detox is crucial for many people that are addicted to fentanyl, most need continued treatment—often in inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment—to achieve long-term recovery.⁶ Rehab in either setting usually involves behavioral therapy, psychoeducation on addiction and recovery, peer support, and medication, if appropriate.⁵

Many people in fentanyl addiction treatment and early recovery benefit from the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). These medications can help people maintain their recovery momentum by minimizing withdrawal symptoms, decreasing cravings, and reducing the risk of relapse.^1,5

Medications used to treat OUD include opioid receptor agonist methadone and partial opioid receptor agonist buprenorphine, both of which reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms with less risk of eliciting a rewarding euphoria like misused opioids once did. Another MOUD—naltrexone—is an opioid receptor antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids, discouraging relapse and easing cravings.¹

Treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders is another vital part of addiction treatment for many people. Research shows that treatment that addresses both addiction and other mental health problems simultaneously is more effective than treating them separately.⁶ This is especially important for Veterans with OUD, who commonly meet the criteria for other mental health issues.²

If you or someone you know is a Veteran in need of treatment, call us at to learn more or to start the admission process today. We can also help you navigate coverage for Veteran’s addiction treatment and explore payment options.