As the opioid crisis rages on in our society today, one drug remains at the center of it all: fentanyl. Though fentanyl awareness has certainly increased when it comes to substance abuse and drug addiction, this potent opioid continues to be a constant source of danger for those struggling with opioid dependence. But why is fentanyl so dangerous, and what can you do if you or your loved one is addicted to fentanyl?
Fentanyl Awareness: What is Fentanyl?
An opioid is a type of drug derived from, or meant to mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant, shares Johns Hopkins Medicine. It is used in medicine to provide pain relief and is prescribed by a doctor. Often, opioids help treat individuals dealing with post-surgical pain, as well as chronic pain due to trauma or disease. Many different types of opioids exist to treat a variety of conditions, and among those, fentanyl is one of the strongest opioids available.
Unlike some other opioids, fentanyl is entirely synthetic, which means that it’s made in a lab. Fentanyl is used in the medical field to treat severe pain, primarily for people who’ve recently had surgery or are experiencing advanced-stage cancer. It can also be very effective at treating other types of severe chronic pain that don’t respond to other pain medicines, shares the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It’s also used as an anesthetic. Because of its intended uses, fentanyl is an incredibly potent opioid.
Short Term Effects of Fentanyl
Because fentanyl is such a powerful opioid, you can feel the effect of the drug much more quickly than other opioids. Some of the short term effects of fentanyl once taken include:
- Reduced pain
- Feelings of happiness and euphoria
- Increased relaxation
- Changes in mood and thinking (such as wanting to take more fentanyl)
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
SOURCE: NIDA
At the same time, taking fentanyl can produce negative side effects, even when prescribed. Some negative short term effects of fentanyl can include confusion, drowsiness, constipation, nausea, muscle stiffness, and visual disturbances. Yet one of the main negative byproducts of fentanyl usage is addiction. Like other opioids, fentanyl is a highly addictive drug because of its ability to generate reward signals in your brain.
Once you take fentanyl (or any other opioid), your brain releases dopamine and endorphins signaling to you that the experience is pleasurable and rewarding. Consequently, you want to take more fentanyl. As you do, however, your body builds up a tolerance for fentanyl, so the effects aren’t as pleasurable. So you need to take even more fentanyl more often to get the same high. This leads you to develop a dependence and become addicted to fentanyl. That means you need fentanyl in order to function. Some common symptoms of fentanyl addiction include:
- Difficulty walking
- Confusion
- Muscle stiffness
- Weakness
- Depression
- Slow or altered heart rate
- Weight loss
- Hallucinations
- Labored breathing
Experiencing Fentanyl Withdrawal
Though you’re addicted to fentanyl, you may want to quit. However, like other substance use disorders, stopping your fentanyl usage can lead to withdrawal. Because your body has gotten used to the presence of fentanyl and needs it to function, it must go through an adjustment period when fentanyl is no longer present.
Fentanyl withdrawal can begin only two to four hours after your last dose. The length and severity of your withdrawal experience will vary from person to person, but many fentanyl withdrawal symptoms last for up to a few weeks, and occasionally, longer in the form of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Unfortunately, withdrawal can lead many people to end their attempts to quit fentanyl before they even get off the ground. Examples of fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Chills
- Insomnia
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Fever
- Runny nose
Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Because fentanyl is such a powerful, addictive drug, many people will use it illegally without a doctor’s prescription, buying it off the street instead. Some of its street names may include Dance Fever, Friend, Great Bear, and King Ivory, for example, shares the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). With that said, fentanyl poses significant risks — including overdose and death — due to its high potency, expanding presence in the illicit drug supply, and varied strength when used:
Extreme Potency
Fentanyl is not the street drug of yesteryear. Because it was engineered in a lab to alleviate severe pain for highly unique circumstances, fentanyl’s potency is extreme. In comparing fentanyl vs morphine for example, fentanyl is 100 times more potent, shares the DEA. And when up against the illegal opioid heroin, fentanyl is actually 50 times more potent. This makes the risk of accidental overdose — and consuming a lethal dose of fentanyl — very high, shares the Government of Canada.
Illicit Manufacturing and Mixing
Since fentanyl’s potency is so extreme, the drug is incredibly appealing to illicit drug manufacturers. Compared to other opioids, fentanyl is very cheap for illegal laboratories to make. Consequently, illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) has proliferated the illegal drug market. That means it’s showing up as both fentanyl pills you can buy off the street, as well as laced in other illegal drugs.
Due to IMF’s high potency and addictive properties, illicit drug manufacturers often mix it with other street drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine to make them stronger. Or, it’s pressed into counterfeit pills that resemble prescription medications. Consequently, substance users may unknowingly take drugs laced with fentanyl.
Varied Strength
When you purchase fentanyl off the street or unknowingly acquire other drugs laced with it, you really don’t know the potency of the fentanyl you’re getting. In fact, the strength or potency of illicit fentanyl is unpredictable and can vary significantly. This makes it incredibly challenging to gauge your risk of overdose. After all, fentanyl’s high potency means that a lethal dose of fentanyl is just 2 milligrams (which is equivalent in size to roughly 10-15 grains of table salt). That’s all it takes.
Fentanyl Overdose Symptoms, Explained
Considering fentanyl’s varied — and extreme — potency, the next pill or drug you take could be enough to lead to a fentanyl overdose. Even if you think you’re taking something that isn’t very strong or potent, it still could be secretly laced with fentanyl, putting you in a very vulnerable position. Fentanyl is also odorless and tasteless, shares the Government of Canada, meaning you may not even know you are taking it without the use of fentanyl testing strips.
Consequently, illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been the main driver in prescription opioid deaths from 2014 through 2021, shares NIDA. In 2022, fentanyl was responsible for 200 deaths every day in the US, according to USAFacts.org. Even though deaths from prescription opioids and heroin have been falling, fentanyl overdoses have made up for it. In fact, by 2022, fentanyl was the underlying cause of nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths.
Considering fentanyl’s high risks of overdose, it’s vital to familiarize yourself with fentanyl overdose symptoms. Knowing the signs of fentanyl overdose can make all the difference in taking the actions required to save a loved one’s life. With that said, fentanyl overdose symptoms include:
Signs of Fentanyl Overdose
- Limp body
- Small, constricted pupils
- Slow or weak breathing, or not breathing at all
- Gurgling sounds or choking
- Cold, clammy skin
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Discolored skin, especially at lips and nails
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Can You Overdose From Touching Fentanyl?
Considering fentanyl’s extreme potency and the very small amount needed to get a lethal dose of fentanyl, it’s fair to wonder if even just touching the drug can cause danger. Can you overdose from touching fentanyl? The short answer is no. The idea that fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin or by touching an item that has fentanyl on it is just a common myth, according to the University of California-Davis. That means it’s safe to help someone who’s overdosed on fentanyl.
Fentanyl Testing Strips, Narcan, and Addiction Treatment: Ways to Fight Back
Though fentanyl continues to be a dangerous drug today, there are ways you can protect yourself. If you’re concerned about potentially encountering illicit fentanyl (especially for a loved one struggling with substance abuse), fentanyl testing strips can help. These fentanyl test kits include small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in various drugs, reducing the risk of overdose.
It’s also a good idea to have Narcan (also known as naloxone) on hand at all times. As a medication, Narcan can be a life saver. But how does Narcan work? In the event of a fentanyl overdose, Narcan can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s often administered via injection or as nasal spray and can be obtained without a prescription in most US states, shares University of California-Davis.
But if you believe you or your loved one may have an addiction to fentanyl or another substance, it’s key to seek professional help from an addiction treatment center. At Defining Wellness Centers in Mississippi, our detox, inpatient, and outpatient rehab programs can help you overcome substance abuse and achieve the healthy, lasting wellness you deserve. Don’t leave things to chance with fentanyl. If you’re ready to reclaim your life, call us today.
