Overdose deaths hit new highs in the US, with over 100,000 deaths in one year.1 Health officials, researchers, and physicians are concerned about the growing trend among victims that indicates synthetic opioids, like drugs laced with fentanyl, may be involved.
Named as the fourth wave of the overdose epidemic, the 100,000-death figure marks a surge in the deaths from methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs mixed with fentanyl. Fentanyl was indicated in over half of the cases, according to Dr. Robert Anderson at the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics.2
The addition of fentanyl differentiates this epidemic from the previous one involving prescription pain medications. As a result, experts call this an “overdose epidemic” rather than the opioid epidemic.
What is Fentanyl?
Medical professionals use fentanyl to treat severe pain in their patients. Similar to morphine but much more potent, fentanyl is a Schedule II substance exclusively for medical use under the supervision of a professional.3 Medical staff must closely observe patients who take fentanyl as a prescription for any signs of dependence or abuse.
Outside of medical settings, fentanyl is often abused. Illicit fentanyl is manufactured in labs in Mexico and smuggled into the US for distribution on the illegal drug market. While it’s used on its own, fentanyl may also be mixed into other drugs to increase the potency, leading to potentially lethal doses. As a result, fentanyl has been laced into methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, leading to overdoses.
In addition, there may not be controls or regulations for manufacturing fentanyl, so users are more likely to take a lethal dose. DEA analysis of counterfeit pills showed a range of 0.02 to 5.1 milligrams, which is more than twice the lethal dose of fentanyl per tablet.4
Because illegal drug makers secretly add fentanyl into other drugs, a person can unknowingly consume it and die of an overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the leading cause of overdose deaths in the US, which increased 38.4 percent leading up to May 2020 compared to the previous year.5
- 37% of the 38 US jurisdictions with synthetic opioid data reported increases in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths
- 18 of these jurisdictions reported increases over 50 percent
- 10 states reported over a 98 percent increase in synthetic opioid-involved deaths
Effects of Fentanyl and Drugs Laced with Fentanyl
In clinical settings, medical professionals use fentanyl to treat severe pain since it is roughly 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
When used, fentanyl causes effects like:6
- Euphoria
- Pain relief
- Sedation
- Relaxation
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Urinary retention
- Pupillary constriction
In overdoses, fentanyl can cause effects like:
- Cold, clammy skin
- Changes in pupil size
- Severe confusion
- Respiratory failure leading to death
- Coma
When a person consumes other drugs like cocaine or heroin as well, these effects intensify, with potentially lethal consequences. While some users may be deliberately mixing fentanyl with other drugs, the mix is likely occurring at the distributor level and putting people at risk unknowingly.7
Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction at Clear Life Recovery
Whether taken deliberately or disguised within another illicit drug, fentanyl is highly addictive because of its potency. Even with a prescription and physician supervision, fentanyl can quickly lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
If you or someone you know is battling fentanyl or other drugs like heroin and meth that may contain fentanyl, we’re here to help. Clear Life Recovery specializes in treating fentanyl addiction and withdrawal symptoms to help you return to a sober, healthy life. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/yearly-drug-overdose-deaths-top-100000-first-time-rcna5656
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/yearly-drug-overdose-deaths-top-100000-first-time-rcna5656
[3] https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/fentanyl
[4] https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
[5] https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p1218-overdose-deaths-covid-19.html
[6] https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
[7] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/yearly-drug-overdose-deaths-top-100000-first-time-rcna5656
