The Rising Threat of Fentanyl in Tennessee

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Originally developed for severe pain management, fentanyl has become the leading cause of overdose deaths in Tennessee.

Unlike heroin or oxycodone, fentanyl is often hidden in counterfeit pills or mixed into heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Because it’s nearly impossible to detect, even a tiny dose can be fatal.

At Recovery Care of Columbia, we understand the urgency of the fentanyl crisis. That’s why we provide same-day Suboxone treatment in Tennessee, available through private and secure telemedicine.

Street Names for Fentanyl

  • Apache
  • China White
  • Dance Fever
  • Goodfella
  • TNT
  • Poison

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects

Short-Term

  • Extreme sedation
  • Euphoria (brief)
  • Slowed breathing and heartbeat
  • Confusion and dizziness
  • High risk of overdose

Long-Term

  • Severe physical dependence
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Increased risk of infections and health complications
  • Memory and cognitive decline
  • Overdose death, often without warning

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Because of fentanyl’s potency, withdrawal symptoms can be severe and set in quickly:

  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Restlessness and agitation
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Sweating and chills
  • Intense cravings

Many Tennesseans relapse during withdrawal, not because they don’t want recovery, but because the symptoms are overwhelming without medical support.

Why Fentanyl is So Dangerous

What makes fentanyl especially deadly is its unpredictability. Many people overdose after taking what they thought was a prescription pill or heroin, unaware it contained fentanyl. This unpredictability has fueled Tennessee’s sharp rise in opioid-related deaths.

Effective Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction

Suboxone Treatment (MAT)

At Recovery Care of Columbia, we prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) to treat fentanyl addiction. Suboxone:

  • Reduces withdrawal symptoms
  • Helps control cravings
  • Lowers overdose risk
  • Can be started the same day via telemedicine Suboxone appointments

👉 Learn more about our Suboxone treatment in Tennessee.

Counseling and Support

Medication works best when paired with therapy. We connect patients to virtual counseling and support groups, giving them the emotional and behavioral tools to sustain recovery.

Accessible Care Across Tennessee

Whether you live in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, or a small rural town, our telemedicine model ensures treatment is always available.

Why Choose Recovery Care of Columbia?

  • Same-day Suboxone appointments available virtually
  • Joint Commission accreditation proving the highest standards of care
  • TennCare Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted
  • Affordable self-pay and sliding-scale programs
  • Compassionate, judgment-free providers who understand recovery

👉 Learn more about our Joint Commission–accredited addiction treatment.

Cross-Links to Related Drug Pages

Start Treatment Today

Fentanyl addiction is life-threatening, but help is available now. At Recovery Care of Columbia, you don’t have to wait for care — you can begin treatment from home today.

Registration & Next Steps

👉 Register with TennCare Medicaid
👉 Register with Commercial Insurance
👉 Register with Self-Pay
👉 Register as a Returning Patient
👉 Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program
👉 View insurance we accept and self-pay pricing

Don’t wait — even one more dose of fentanyl could be fatal. Start treatment today with Recovery Care of Columbia’s telemedicine Suboxone program.