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Learn about the risks of fentanyl addiction, its impact on health, and the various treatment options available for recovery.
It is alarming that drug overdose deaths increased by 28.5% from 78,056 to 100,036 in just one year between April 2020 and April 2021.
The new data documents estimated overdose deaths from the synthetic opioids-fentanyl increased to 75673 between April 2020 and April 2021, up from 56,064 the previous year 2mg of fentanyl powder has the power to kill you when you swallow, inhale or absorb it on your skin. The effects of fentanyl, especially its rewarding, euphoric effects, are accelerated most when it’s rapidly delivered to the brain, making it highly addictive.
The market for illicitly manufactured fentanyl is proliferating and combined with heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine, making it fatal and highly potent.
Due to its low cost, there is a significant risk that illegal drugs have been intentionally contaminated with fentanyl. Opioids killed more than four times as many people from a drug overdose (OD) than homicides in the first month of 2021.
About 9700 drug overdose deaths were reported from March 2020 to March 2021, making it 36.1% times higher than the previous calendar year.
42% of the pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2mg of fentanyl which is considered a deadly dose and can kill you depending on your usage, body size, and tolerance. DEA analysis has found counterfeit pills ranging from .02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than twice the legal dose) of fentanyl per tablet.
Overdose involving synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) rose 55.6 % and appears to be the primary driver of the increase in total drug OD deaths.
Drug trafficking cartels distribute fentanyl in kilograms. One kilogram of fentanyl can kill half a million people.
Street names for fentanyl include; Apache, China girl, China town, China white, dance fever, good fellas, great bear, he-man, poison, tango, and cash.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat patients with chronic severe pain following surgery or advanced cancer. It is a schedule II-controlled substance similar to morphine but 100 times more powerful.
Fentanyl has legitimate medical use when prescribed to you by a licensed medical expert. However, you may need to be monitored for potential misuse or abuse of the drug due to its addictive nature.
Illicit fentanyl, mainly manufactured in foreign clandestine laboratories and smuggled into the United States through Mexico, is being circulated across the country and sold on the illegal drug market. Illicit fentanyl contains lethal doses of fentanyl, hence a higher strength.
Fentanyl appears in counterfeit tablets, pills, and gel capsules in an attempt to be disguised as prescription medications and adulterated with other drugs such as heroin and prescription pain relief medications.
Fentanyl works by binding the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. After consuming the drug many times, your brain adapts to fentanyl, thus reducing the brain’s sensitivity, making it hard to feel pleasure from anything other besides this substance.
Fentanyl harbors huge risks for addiction and abuse regardless of its prescription form because of the substance’s immense potency and addictive potential. If you ingest fentanyl at unprescribed levels, you might experience an intense euphoria and sense of relaxation similar to that of a heroin high.
When you abuse fentanyl and become addicted, you become dependent on the drug, and it takes over your life.
Extreme happiness.
Euphoria.
Mellowness.
Constipation.
Drowsiness.
Nausea.
Confusion.
Sedation.
Tolerance.
Addiction.
Respiratory arrest.
Depression.
Overdose.
Unconsciousness.
Coma.
Even death.
A patient navigator is ready to help. Our team of dedicated professionals are here to help 24 hours a day.
Fentanyl is highly addictive due to its potency. When you have been prescribed fentanyl by a doctor, you can experience dependency, characterized by withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug; dependence can sometimes lead to addiction.
Substance Use Disorder is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking habits and drug use that is very difficult to control, notwithstanding its destructive consequences, which grow from mild to severe.
When you are addicted to fentanyl, you will continue using it even though it may cause health problems at work, home, or school. You may resolve to stop using fentanyl and have severe withdrawal symptoms that start as early as a few hours after the last drug intake.
Muscle and bone pain.
Insomnia.
Diarrhea and vomiting.
Cold flashes and goosebumps.
Uncontrolled leg movement.
Severe cravings.
These symptoms will make you very uncomfortable, and part of why you will find quitting almost impossible. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved some medicines to safely help with the withdrawal process for fentanyl and other opioids. Lofexidine, a non-opioid prescription, has been designed to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. A small electrical nerve stimulator called the NSS-2 bridge is placed behind your ears to reduce withdrawal symptoms for up to five days during the acute withdrawal phase.
In addition to medicine, behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management therapy, and motivational interviewing are also used to help you modify your attitude and behavior related to drug use, increase healthy life skills and help you stick to your medication.
Our experienced staff is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Call today and change your tomorrow.
One of the demographics that abuse fentanyl includes individuals who have been prescribed the drug for pain but, with time, continued to use it more regularly and in higher doses. Thinking that it becomes more effective while, in essence, you become dependent on it as the feelings of euphoria, sedation, and relaxation increase.
Sadly, opioid analgesics, including fentanyl, are involved in more than half of all cases treated in American emergency rooms for non-medical reasons. Many of these patients suffered from depressed breathing, coma, and pain sensation loss. Others suffered or died from an OD of illicit manufactured fentanyl.
Our caring treatment navigators are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to help you or your loved one. When you call Rolling Hills Recovery Center you can trust that you will find the help you need – at no cost or obligation to choose our program. Get started right now.
Our clinical and medical teams review your personal history and circumstances in order to determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.
During intake you will be asked some more questions about your background & medical history. This allows us to fully formulate your treatment plan.
One of our caring team members will take you around the clinical facilities and introduce you to the rest of our team and current community.
We know that the first day of treatment can be overwhelming for anyone. We work with you to ensure you ease yourself into the treatment process.
Be cautious! Don’t abuse fentanyl. Use your drugs as the doctor prescribes them. If you feel you are becoming dependent on fentanyl, seek help immediately. If you fear that a loved one is abusing fentanyl, don’t procrastinate; seek help for them.
Any drug, including fentanyl, will most likely control your life if misused. It’s time to learn and understand why fentanyl is dangerous and ways to avoid it and get cleaned from it. Seek professional help.
Written By:
Mental Health Writer
Angel Alexander is certified in mental health studies and mental health coaching. Angel has over nine years of freelance writing experience and seven years in mental health and substance abuse writing. Angel is currently in her 2nd year of studies at Wallace Community College for the study of psychology.
Medically Reviewed By:
Expert Contributor
Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.
Fentanyl abuse treatment involves detox, therapy, and support. Understand fentanyl, explore treatment options, and the importance of professional help for recovery.
Learn about fentanyl’s addiction, symptoms, side effects, and treatment options, including detox, rehab, and aftercare.
Learn about the harmful, potentially life-threatening side effects of fentanyl addiction on the brain and body. Finding effective treatment to help with recovery is vital.
Mixing fentanyl with substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines is highly dangerous, increasing the risk of overdose and severe side effects.
Understand the risks of fentanyl abuse, including side effects, poisoning, and dangers of quitting cold turkey.
Learn about fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, timeline, and detox process, including medication’s role in recovery.
Learn the signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose, its causes, prevention, and treatment options.