The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an alert to health professionals, public health departments, first responders, and others about the increase in fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths throughout the United States. Fentanyl-laced heroin has been linked to a rapid increase of overdoses in Ohio and Indiana since 2016. The number of deaths involving synthetic opioids continues to increase from 1999 to 2018. But what exactly is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl and other fentanyl analogs, such as carfentanil, have been mixed with powder heroin in illegal drug markets. Recently, they are also being found in counterfeit pills made to look like prescription opioids, sedatives and painkillers (e.g. Xanax and OxyContin). These fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills were the subject of a Drug Enforcement Agency brief released in 2016. Those who abuse prescription drugs or heroin laced with fentanyl are at a much higher risk of opioid overdose and death. If emergency personnel are able to respond in time, they sometimes need multiple doses of Narcan to reverse fentanyl overdoses.
Fentanyl: Understanding the Impact
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but 50-100 times more powerful. It is a schedule II prescription drug typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. When prescribed by a physician, pharmaceutical fentanyl is administered through an injection, transdermal patch, or in lozenges. The dose of prescription fentanyl is also significantly less than illegally manufactured fentanyl. However, the illicitly manufactured fentanyl on the streets that has been associated with the recent surge of overdoses is produced in clandestine laboratories and typically cut with more dangerous drugs. It is often sold as a powder, mixed with heroin, or as tablets that resemble other less potent opioids. People tend to swallow, snort, or inject fentanyl. Like other opioids, fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors. When this happens, it increases dopamine levels in the brain’s reward areas, producing a state of euphoria and relaxation. This is what causes long-term fentanyl addiction, causing a person to need more and more of the drug until they reach a point where they are at a high risk of fentanyl overdose.
The effects of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced drugs resemble those of heroin and include:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Euphoria
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Increased tolerance and addiction
- Respiratory arrest
- Unconsciousness or coma
- Death from overdose
Don’t risk an overdose or any of the above symptoms of fentanyl abuse. Specialized opioid detox programs help you regain control of your life.
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Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, making it a very powerful drug that often leads to overdose deaths when used illegally. Opioid receptors are found in the areas of the brain that control breathing rate. Large doses of opioids, especially one as potent as fentanyl, can cause breathing to stop completely, leading to death. The high potency of fentanyl greatly increases the risk of overdose, particularly if the user is unaware that a pill or powder contains fentanyl. The fentanyl being sold on the street can be mixed with heroin or cocaine, which amplifies its potency and danger. Fentanyl overdoses must be treated immediately with Narcan and may require higher doses to reverse the overdose. The drug is more lethal to potential users than other illicit drugs due to its very small lethal dose.
The United States is currently in the midst of a fentanyl crisis. Law enforcement reports and public health data indicate higher availability, increased seizures, and more known overdose deaths from fentanyl than at any other time since the drug was first developed in 1959. Overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl have been on the rise in recent years because many do not know that they are ingesting the drug.
Recovery from Opioid Addiction
Now that you’re equipped with the answer to “what is fentanyl” and understand how deadly opioid abuse and addiction is, it is imperative to reach out for help as soon as possible if you are struggling. It is important that you know recovery from opioid addiction is possible. If you are stuck in the vicious cycle of opioid use and need professional inpatient detox services, the experienced and compassionate staff at Summit Detox will help you detox safely and comfortably.
Fentanyl Detox Programs at Summit Detox
Detoxing from fentanyl is a challenging process due to the drug’s potency and the severe withdrawal symptoms it can induce. Symptoms can include muscle and bone pain, sleep problems, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and uncontrollable leg movements. Due to the intensity of these symptoms, medically supervised detox is often recommended, especially if you are mixing fentanyl with other drugs. During this process, medical professionals can administer medications to alleviate and reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and ensure the patient’s safety.
Our team of addiction treatment professionals can help you manage the opioid withdrawal symptoms that come from detoxing from fentanyl. The following programs are available for our patients:
- Opioid detox
- Fentanyl detox
- Drug and alcohol detox
- Medical detox
Do not become part of the statistics — contact Summit Detox today by calling (888) 995-5265 to begin your new life in recovery.
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