Fentanyl addiction has become one of the most pressing public health crises not just in California, but across the United States. Known for its extreme potency and high risk of overdose, fentanyl is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year.

While it does have legitimate medical uses and is prescribed in some instances, it is far more commonly found in counterfeit pills and street drugs, exposing many to fentanyl without even realizing it. At Peak Path Health in Los Angeles, CA, we provide comprehensive fentanyl rehab in California to help individuals find hope, healing, and a path to long-term recovery.

Table of Contents

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. While it may be prescribed for severe pain, especially following surgery or in cases of advanced cancer, the vast majority of fentanyl is both found and ingested illicitly, often in the form of counterfeit pills, or even used as a cutting agent in other street drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or meth. Because such mixtures are unpredictable, even a tiny amount of fentanyl can cause a fatal overdose.

How Common Is Fentanyl Abuse?

Across communities, both throughout California and nationwide, two disturbing trends have emerged: first, many people who use drugs do not expect fentanyl to be present in what they buy; second, counterfeit pills that look like legitimate prescription medications increasingly contain fentanyl.

These dynamics have increased unintentional exposure, increasing in overall fentanyl use and abuse, as well as fatal overdoses among people who thought they were using less potent substances.

Below are some statistics, both nationwide and from the state of California, to help show just how bad fentanyl use has gotten:

In 2023, there were roughly 107,543 total drug overdose deaths in the U.S. Of these, about 81,083 involved opioids.
Synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, were responsible for an estimated 74,702 deaths, accounting for nearly 70% of all overdose deaths.
Between May 2023 and May 2024, California led the nation with 12,835 overdose deaths, more than any other state.
Among youth (ages 10–19), fentanyl-related deaths in California rose from 36 in 2018 to 261 in 2020, a staggering 625% increase. In 2023, the number was still high at 155 deaths.
The California National Guard seized 62,224 pounds of fentanyl in 2023, a 1,066% increase compared to 2021.

These statistics highlight not only the sheer scale of fentanyl’s impact but also how quickly the drug has overtaken the illicit market. Across the U.S. and especially in California, fentanyl is now the most dangerous driver of overdose deaths, and its widespread presence in counterfeit pills and laced street drugs continues to put unsuspecting users at risk

Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Abuse

Recognizing the signs of fentanyl abuse is critical for early intervention. Some of the more common symptoms associated with fentanyl abuse include:

Extreme drowsiness or sedation
Pinpoint pupils
Slurred speech
Confusion or disorientation
Shallow or slowed breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Mood swings
Increased irritability
Social withdrawal or secrecy
Neglect of responsibilities at work, school, or home
Secretive behavior
Unexplained financial problems
Engaging in risky or illegal behaviors to obtain drugs

How Does Fentanyl Affect the Brain and Body?

Fentanyl, like other opioids, binds to the brain’s opioid receptors, particularly those responsible for controlling pain and emotions. This is what produces the powerful high that users who have become dependent or reliant on the drug find themselves chasing.

While fentanyl produces feelings of euphoria, as well as pain relief, it also causes both slowed breathing and heart rate. With repeated use, the brain grows more and more dependent on the dopamine rush and produces less of it naturally, making it difficult to feel pleasure without the drug. In addition, physically, fentanyl suppresses respiration, which is why overdoses often cause death from slowed or stopped breathing.

How Does Fentanyl Become Addictive?

As that reliance on fentanyl continues to grow, not only does the brain stop producing its own dopamine, but it essentially starts to convince itself that it can not properly function without fentanyl in the system. At the same time, the brain and body also start to build a tolerance, meaning that it needs more and more of the drug to reach its desired effects. At this point, the brain and body have become so dependent on the drug that it will go into withdrawal when no fentanyl is in the system, resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, sweating, and severe cravings.

What Are the Side Effects of Fentanyl Addiction?

Fentanyl comes with both short-term and long-term side effects, both of which are not only serious but can lead to serious mental health and medical issues if not properly addressed.

Short-Term Side Effects:

Intense euphoria
Drowsiness
Confusion
Constipation
Nausea
Slowed breathing

Long-Term Side Effects:

Severe physical dependence
Increased risk of overdose and death
Depression and anxiety
Memory and cognitive impairment
Damage to vital organs from repeated hypoxia
Relationship and financial problems

Risk Factors Of Fentanyl Addiction

Several factors increase the risk that someone will develop fentanyl dependence:

Prior history of opioid use – Individuals with previous opioid exposure, either prescription or illicit, are more susceptible to fentanyl addiction.
Genetic and biological predisposition – Family history of substance use disorders can increase vulnerability.
Mental health conditions – Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health disorders frequently co-occur with substance use and raise relapse risk when untreated.
Chronic pain – People who initially receive opioid prescriptions for chronic pain may transition to misuse if not carefully monitored.
Social and environmental factors – Unstable housing, poverty, peer drug networks, and exposure to environments where drugs are prevalent increase risk.
Early exposure – Substance use beginning in adolescence increases the chance of developing addiction in adulthood.
Trauma and adverse childhood experiences – These can drive self-medication with substances like fentanyl.
Accessibility of illicit fentanyl and counterfeit pills – The high availability of fentanyl-laced street drugs dramatically increases overdose and addiction risk.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

The good news is that fentanyl addiction is treatable. At Peak Path Health, we offer comprehensive fentanyl treatment programs to address every stage of recovery at our fentanyl rehab center, including:

Detox

Before treatment can begin, the first step is to detox. Detoxing is done in order to rid the harmful substances so that the healing process can begin. Due to the nature of detoxing and the withdrawal symptoms associated with it, particularly as it relates to fentanyl and opioids, attempting to self-detox can not only be difficult but it can also be dangerous.

Medical detox programs, such as the ones offered at Peak Path Health, not only provide access to around-the-clock medical care and monitoring, but they also provide access to FDA-approved prescription and over-the-counter medications that can be used to help alleviate and even cure some of the symptoms associated with detox and withdrawals to make the process as safe and comfortable as possible.

Some of the medications that have proven to be effective in addressing withdrawal symptoms associated with fentanyl addiction include:

Methadone – A long-acting opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal without producing the same intense euphoria when dosed properly.
Buprenorphine – A partial opioid agonist that eases withdrawal and cravings with a ceiling effect that lowers overdose risk.
Naltrexone – An opioid antagonist that blocks opioid effects and can help prevent relapse after detox.

Treatment Programs

Once detox has been completed, treatment can begin. At Peak Path Health, we offer inpatient, residential treatment in order to eliminate any and all distractions of the outside world so that those in treatment can focus 100% of their time and energy on recovery.

As part of our residential treatment program, we provide:

Personalized Planning – We create a customized treatment plan designed to meet each individual’s unique needs
Therapy – We offer several different individual and group therapy modalities
Wellness and Nutrition – Our residential treatment programs place a strong emphasis on comprehensive nutrition and wellness to support physical, mental, and emotional restoration.

Addiction Counseling

Therapy and counseling are the cornerstones of recovery. As part of our residential treatment program, we offer several therapies, including:

Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Holistic Therapy, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, art therapy, and music therapy

Help is Available At Our Peak Path Health Fentanyl Rehab

At Peak Path Health in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA, we understand the unique challenges of fentanyl addiction and are here to help. Our compassionate team provides individualized care, from medical detox through long-term recovery planning. With professional support, healing from fentanyl addiction is possible.

If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl use, don’t wait; contact us today to begin your journey toward recovery.