Opiates in general can be habit-forming and continued use can lead to addiction. When considering fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, while their chemical makeup suggests the potential for addiction, we don’t yet have much evidence that people are choosing these drugs rather than using them accidentally in pursuit of other opiates.

Despite fentanyl and other synthetic opioid’s greater potency than heroin, this does not mean people seeking a euphoric high from opiates prefer fentanyl, and actually, the opposite has been reported due to fear of overdose.

However, limited preliminary evidence suggests preference for fentanyl in heroin-dependent, methadone-stabilized individuals. Even though fentanyl has not proven addictive, people who have used it should be offered a variety of types of treatment options should they seek to decline or quit use.