How is fentanyl addiction treated?

Like other opioid addictions, medication with behavioral therapies has been shown to be effective in treating people with a fentanyl addiction.

Medications for opioid use disorders—including fentanyl use disorder—are safe, effective, and save lives. These medicines interact with the same opioid receptors in the brain on which fentanyl acts, but they do not produce the same effects.

• Methadone, an opioid receptor full agonist, attaches to and activates opioid receptors to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Buprenorphine, an opioid receptor partial agonist, attaches to and partially activates opioid receptors to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, prevents fentanyl from attaching to opioid receptors, thus blocking its effects.

Learn more about medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal and addiction.

Counseling: Behavioral therapies for addiction to opioids like fentanyl can help people modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use, increase healthy life skills, and help them stick with their medication. Some examples include:

• cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps modify the patient's drug use expectations and behaviors, and effectively manage triggers and stress
• contingency management, which uses a voucher-based system giving patients “points” based on negative drug tests. They can use the points to earn items that encourage healthy living
• Motivational interviewing, which is a patient-centered counseling style that addresses a patient’s mixed feelings to change

These behavioral treatment approaches have proven effective, especially when used along with medicines. 

If you or someone you know has a mental health condition or a substance use disorder, there are resources and services available to assist with screening, treatment, and recovery: