Patrick Slattery Fentanyl September 12, 2025 Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that poses a serious threat to those who take it, knowingly or otherwise. If a loved one were taking fentanyl, would you know what to look for? Common signs of fentanyl addiction include sudden behavioral changes, emotional mood swings, and weight fluctuations. Certain “drug-seeking” actions are also common among people with a fentanyl use disorder. Thinking that your loved one could be taking fentanyl is frightening. Fentanyl is also one of the most dangerous illicit substances. In the first half of 2024, more than 2,200 Floridians died with fentanyl in their system. At Real Recovery, we know what it’s like to worry about loved ones who are taking fentanyl or other opioids. Many of us have worked the steps of recovery ourselves and supported others through the process. We’re here to provide that support now for the person you care about. Why You Need to Know the Signs of Fentanyl Addiction Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid. The substance is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a pain reliever and anesthetic in hospital settings. However, most of the fentanyl illegally sold in the U.S. is also illegally produced. The fact that fentanyl is synthetic means that it’s entirely man-made. Because of its synthetic nature and the fact that the illicit fentanyl production is inherently unregulated, the substance’s appearance is different depending on who produces it and how. It often takes the form of a white or colored powder. However, it can also be pressed into a pill or produced in a liquid form. Fentanyl doesn’t usually have a distinct taste, scent, or texture. This makes it very difficult to identify outright. Because it’s cheap to produce and difficult to identify, dealers often lace other substances with fentanyl to increase the volume and improve its psychoactive effects. When someone takes other substances, they may begin consuming fentanyl without even realizing it. Because of its potency, the risk of overdose is high, even for people who have built up a tolerance. Regardless of how or why someone starts taking the substance, a fentanyl use disorder can develop quickly. Once the use disorder has set in, friends and family members begin to pick up on a variety of changes, but it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re looking at. By learning more about the signs of fentanyl use disorder, you’ll have a better idea of how or when to have a conversation with them about getting treatment. Signs of Fentanyl Addiction in the Body and Mind Similar to other opioids, like heroin, fentanyl use disorder causes a variety of behavioral, psychological, and physical changes. These changes don’t just impact your loved one when they’re actively “high” on fentanyl. Someone with a fentanyl use disorder will begin to prioritize their substance use above other things in their life, causing wider changes. Sometimes, the signs of fentanyl use disorder appear very suddenly. In other cases, these warning signs develop over time. Your loved one won’t necessarily exhibit every behavioral change or side effect of fentanyl use. However, seeing several of them in one person is a reason for concern. Behavioral Signs of Fentanyl Use Disorder The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is the tool that mental health practitioners use to diagnose behavioral health conditions, including substance use disorders (SUD). For your loved one to be formally diagnosed with a substance use disorder, they must exhibit at least two behavioral symptoms in 12 months. Individuals with 2 to 3 signs are diagnosed with a mild SUD, 4 to 5 symptoms are considered moderate, and 5 to 6 are considered severe. 9 behavioral signs of a fentanyl use disorder noted in the DSM-5 include: Taking more fentanyl or using it for longer than intended Attempting to quit fentanyl with no success Using fentanyl even though they’re aware of its dangers Using fentanyl even when it’s causing psychological or physical problems Spending a large part of the day taking fentanyl Experiencing strong urges and cravings Continuing to use fentanyl despite negative consequences Withdrawing from hobbies, activities, friends, etc. Trouble managing day-to-day responsibilities Psychological Changes Associated with Fentanyl Consumption As fentanyl binds to the opioid receptors in the brain, the substance causes the central nervous system to slow down. While opioids don’t directly produce chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, they can increase the amount that the brain releases at one time. In the short term, this produces feelings of euphoria, difficulty thinking, and relaxation. Your loved one may seem extremely sleepy or “nod off” in and out of consciousness. In the long term, fentanyl use disorder causes psychological symptoms, like: Mood swings Emotional numbness Cognitive decline The longer a fentanyl use disorder continues, the more apathetic your loved one will begin to feel. Eventually, they’ll experience anhedonia, or an inability to feel pleasure without the use of fentanyl. Physical Changes Caused by Fentanyl Use Since fentanyl is an opioid, it has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. After your loved one takes fentanyl, their bodily functions slow down, including those of the heart, lungs, and other essential organs. The pupils will constrict, and they will begin to feel itchy and warm to the touch. They may also become nauseous. Repeated fentanyl consumption is associated with increasingly severe symptoms, such as: chronic constipation lowered libido disrupted sleep schedules changes in appetite weight. The biggest physical concern when it comes to fentanyl is overdose, which can be deadly and happens any time someone takes more fentanyl than their body can handle. An overdose is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. The “opioid overdose triad” looks like: Falling in and out of consciousness (nodding) Slowed or stopped breathing Small or pinpoint pupils “Drug-Seeking” Behavior Associated with Fentanyl Use Disorder “Drug-seeking” behavior is a term sometimes used by medical professionals to describe an individual who is pretending to be in pain to get a prescription pain medication, such as an opioid, for recreational use. Medical professionals are trained to watch out for specific behaviors that could indicate a substance use disorder. Common examples of drug-seeking behavior include: Doctor shopping: If your loved one is repeatedly looking for new doctors during a short period of time, this could indicate a fentanyl use disorder. This could indicate that your loved one is looking for a doctor who will give them a specific prescription for recreational use or is trying to get more than one prescription at a time. They may also be trying a lot of new pharmacies during this time. First visits: Your loved one may not try different doctors at the same time. It could also be that they simply don’t go back to the same doctor twice. Still, these visits usually focus on getting opioid medications, not finding long-term solutions to the ailment. Exaggerated symptoms: Does your loved one indicate that their symptoms are more severe than they appear to be in daily life? This could be an attempt to convince you, or their doctors, that their substance use is necessary. Disinterest in treatment: Opioids are not the only option for pain relief. If your loved one is addicted to fentanyl or another opioid, they may be focused on opioids and ignore other treatment options. Even if you suspect that your loved one may be seeking out substances, it’s important to take their pain seriously. Substance use and a real medical condition are not mutually exclusive. However, you may want to talk to your loved one about why they’re focused on opioid-based treatment options. Get Treatment For Fentanyl Addiction at Real Recovery in Tampa Bay Realizing that your loved one is taking fentanyl or another opioid is never easy. It’s only natural to worry about how this will impact their life and their safety. Encouraging healing while also setting boundaries requires a delicate balance. With the proper professional support, your loved one can recover. Fentanyl addiction treatment focuses on evidence-based therapy, peer support, and goal setting. A good program will also provide your loved one with resources like gym memberships and educational resources to ensure that their basic needs are met. Real Recovery Solutions provides a program that focuses on the 12 steps of recovery. We know this method can empower your loved one to recover and reclaim their life for the long term. We’re serious about supporting people who want to give themselves over completely to the program and leave fentanyl behind. Call us at 813-373-6762 to learn more about how we can help. Real people. Real solutions. Real Results. - Share on Facebook Share on twitter