Changes Treatment Center
What Every Family Needs to Know About Hidden Fentanyl, Dependence, Withdrawal, and Overdose
One pill. One mistake. No second chance.
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You cannot reliably identify fentanyl by color, smell, taste, shape, or packaging. DEA testing shows that 5 out of 10 counterfeit pills contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. A pill that is not obtained directly from a licensed pharmacy should never be assumed to be legitimate.
First, call 911 immediately. Administer Naloxone (Narcan) right away and repeat with another dose every 2, 3 minutes if there is no response. Begin rescue breathing or CPR if trained, and stay with the person until emergency responders arrive.
No. Naloxone will not harm someone if opioids are not present in their system, so you should always administer it if you suspect an overdose.
When someone stops using fentanyl, their tolerance drops quickly. If they relapse and return to the previous dose they were accustomed to, their body can no longer handle that amount, which significantly increases the risk of a fatal overdose.
Fentanyl addiction requires rapid, specialized clinical intervention due to the extreme potency of the drug and the high risk of fatal overdose. At Changes Treatment Center, our medical detox and addiction treatment programs are structured to safely manage acute withdrawal while establishing a foundation for sustainable, long-term sobriety. We provide evidence-based care tailored to protect lives and support families through every step of the recovery journey.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid. While pharmaceutical fentanyl is legally prescribed for severe pain management and anesthesia, the fentanyl driving most overdose deaths today is illegally manufactured and distributed through the street-drug supply.
Fentanyl is extraordinarily potent compared to traditional opioids:
Fentanyl can be mixed into various substances, often without the user’s knowledge. 5 out of 10 counterfeit pills tested by the DEA in 2024 contained a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl.
Crucial Warning: You cannot reliably identify fentanyl by color, smell, taste, shape, or packaging. A pill not obtained directly from a licensed pharmacy should never be assumed to be legitimate.
| Effect Category | Symptoms / Manifestations |
| Mild to Moderate | Pain relief, euphoria, relaxation, drowsiness, confusion, or mental fog |
| Gastrointestinal | Nausea, vomiting, and severe constipation |
| Severe & Critical | Slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, brain injury, or death |
| Observation | What to Look For |
| Signs Someone May Be Using Opioids | • Pinpoint pupils or frequently “nodding off” • Slowed speech, confusion, or poor coordination • Nausea, itching, or constipation • Presence of burnt foil, small baggies, pills, or powders • Unexplained spending, secrecy, or isolation |
| Signs Dependence is Developing | • Daily, repeated, or escalating use beyond what was planned • Needing higher amounts to feel the same effect, or to feel normal • Becoming sick (withdrawal) when unable to use • Trying to stop or cut back without success, despite serious consequences |
Ask about every pill, powder, and street drug, not only fentanyl. The person using may not know what they took.
Fentanyl withdrawal can be intense and create powerful cravings. Symptoms include:
WARNING: THE HIGHEST RISK MAY COME AFTER STOPPING
Tolerance can fall quickly after a period of non-use. Returning to a previous amount can easily cause a fatal overdose.
Overcoming opioid dependence is a complex physical and psychological process that should never be attempted alone. To safely ease severe withdrawal symptoms and significantly reduce intense cravings, our treatment protocols integrate Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), utilizing FDA-approved medications such as buprenorphine or methadone. Combined with 24/7 medical supervision and therapy, MAT substantially reduces the risk of relapse and fatal overdose.
Call 911 immediately if the person displays any of the following:
| Action Step | Instructions |
| 1. Administer Naloxone / Narcan | Give Narcan immediately. Give another dose every 2, 3 minutes if there is no response. (Naloxone will not harm someone if opioids are not present.) |
| 2. Provide Physical Care | Begin rescue breathing or CPR if trained. Stay with the person until emergency medical help arrives. |
You are not alone. Recovery is possible, and medical support and medications, such as buprenorphine or methadone, can significantly reduce withdrawal, cravings, and overdose risk. Changes Treatment Center is here to help you navigate the challenges of fentanyl addiction. Our compassionate team is trained to support both recovery and mental health, so you do not have to face this alone.
Taking the first step toward opioid treatment can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to walk this path alone. Changes Treatment Center offers confidential consultations, comprehensive clinical assessments, and ongoing family support services to assist you or your loved one through every phase of recovery. Reach out to our admissions team today to learn more about our individualized addiction treatment programs and begin your recovery.
Eric Chaghouri, MD, is the Medical Director at Changes Treatment Center and reviews the clinical content on this page. Dr. Chaghouri is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in addiction and forensic psychiatry.
Recovery is more than stopping a behavior, it’s about rediscovering who you are. At Changes, we provide a supportive space where individuals can rebuild confidence, gain clarity, and move forward with purpose through personalized care.
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Our licensed professionals bring years of expertise in addiction and mental health treatment.
We customize treatment for every client to ensure long term success.
From detox to aftercare, Changes walks with you every step of the way.
Our Costa Mesa location offers a calming, bright, and rejuvenating atmosphere.
A Simple Path to a New Beginning with Changes
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Take a moment to answer these questions honestly.
There are no right or wrong answers.
This assessment is not a medical diagnosis, but it can help you determine whether alcohol may be having a greater impact on your life than you realize.
In the past 12 months…
Developed by Patrick Conod, LCSW, and Cari Lawyer, CATC I, on behalf of the Changes Treatment Center Clinical Leadership Team.
A Self-Assessment for Family Members and Friends
Watching someone you love change because of alcohol can be confusing and heartbreaking. You may find yourself questioning what you’re seeing, wondering if you’re overreacting, or hoping things will get better on their own.
This assessment is designed to help you reflect on the behaviors you’ve noticed. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it may help you determine whether it’s time to seek guidance or support.
In the past 12 months…
Developed by Patrick Conod, LCSW, and Cari Lawyer, CATC I, on behalf of the Changes Treatment Center Clinical Leadership Team.
When we are struggling with deep stress, anxious thoughts, or a low mood, it is incredibly natural to look for immediate relief. Sometimes, we turn to alcohol or other substances just to quiet our minds, get some sleep, or feel normal for a night.
This short self-assessment is designed to help you pause and look at how these two parts of your life might be influencing each other. It is entirely anonymous and takes less than two minutes.
It’s common for habits to slowly shift over time, especially during stressful seasons. Often, we find ourselves using a substance to cope, unwind, or get through the day, only to realize it is starting to take up more space in our routine, thoughts, or relationships than we’d like.
This quick, 10-question check-in is a quiet space to reflect honestly on how your use is impacting your life. It is entirely anonymous, completely free of clinical judgment, and takes less than two minutes.
We all experience days when we feel down, exhausted, or just completely unmotivated. But when those heavy feelings start lingering, it can be hard to tell if you’re just going through a rough patch or if it’s something more.
This quick, confidential check-in is designed to help you pause and reflect on how you’ve actually been feeling lately. It is completely anonymous, entirely non-judgmental, and takes less than two minutes.
Is your evening glass of wine a harmless habit, or is it starting to catch up with you? It’s not always easy to tell where “social drinking” ends and “too much” begins.
Take this quick, 2-minute quiz to check in on your relationship with alcohol and get clear, personalized insights.
