What Happens When Someone Who Regularly Uses Fentanyl Stops Using It?
Understanding Fentanyl: An Overview
Other items indicating use may be needles, small mirrors, scales, blotterpaper, unlabelled candies, blue M-30 pills, Xanax “bars”, or other pills/tablets/capsules. Address any underlying concerns that may lead to your child to take Fentanyl intentionally or unintentionally. Parents of Fentanyl victims often report that their children took a pill or other drug to try deal with issues related to sleep, anxiety,loneliness, or other emotional challenges. A new program called Meds First allows people to get MOUD right away.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often associated with severe health risks, including the potential for overdose and addiction.
Given its potency, many might wonder, do people buy fentanyl? The answer is complex and multifaceted.
In some cases, a person’s chest may become very stiff (called “chest wall rigidity” or “wooden chest”). This can make it harder for the victim to breathe and for a responder to do chest compressions. Pills and other drugs are now often purchased through SnapChat, Gaming Platform “chat” functions, and other dark web sites.
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is used for managing acute or chronic pain and can come in patches, lollipops, or administered as an injection. Illicit fentanyl can be manufactured for use in the illegal drug market. An estimated 77% of the overdose deaths in the United States in 2021 involved fentanyl.
Fentanyl use can result in accidental death even with just one dose, especially if a person accidentally takes it incorrectly. People who use fentanyl swiftly develop a tolerance to high doses, meaning that more of the drug is needed to achieve the desired effect. Which medication is right for a person may depend on many factors.
The two other types include an injectable and an autoinjector that goes into the muscle, like EpiPen. Once given, naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan) immediately finds opioid receptors, replaces them and binds stronger than the opioid. It basically rips off the opioid, likely fentanyl, and blocks it. However, there are non-prescription grade opioids that are distributed illegally. When either type is being overused or misused, that’s when problems can develop.
Why Do People Buy Fentanyl?
“We’ve seen an uptick in the amount of medication we’ve had to prescribe for some patients just to keep them stable.” “Usually by the time somebody is transitioning to fentanyl, they’re already needing to use pretty consistently throughout the day to feel normal, to not be in withdrawal,” Kast said. “As they’re progressing to fentanyl, they’re gonna have to use it more often in order to manage that withdrawal.” “My prediction would be that smoking fentanyl will be the norm within a year” among those who use the drug on its own, said Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a professor of family community medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Until recently, intentional use of fentanyl was mostly limited to the West Coast, but in the past few years, addiction specialists have seen an uptick in use of the drug across the country. Fentanyl is safe when it’s prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed.
Some individuals seek fentanyl for various reasons, including:
The county website has information for parents and everyone interested in learning about treatment options, medication safety and more. LaBar was one of a stream of former drug users and other advocates who testified Monday before a Senate panel in Trenton against a bill that would increase the penalties for people who make or sell fentanyl. These behavioral treatment approaches are effective, especially when used with medications. Since it is illegal, there is no regulation for substances purchased illicitly. Because of this, factors like potency, foreign substances, and origin are all unknown and potentially fatal to the user. In its original state of production, fentanyl is a fine white powder.
- Medical Use: Fentanyl is legitimately prescribed by healthcare providers for pain management, especially in cancer patients or those with chronic pain.
- Illicit Use: Some users turn to fentanyl because it is cheaper and more potent than other opioids, leading to its illegal sale on the black market.
- Addiction: Individuals struggling with opioid addiction may purchase fentanyl as they seek stronger substances to satisfy their dependency.
The program connects people who buy illicit opioids with a nurse who helps them determine a fentanyl prescription and dosage that will suit their needs. Then the patients can purchase powder fentanyl capsules at one of PHS Community Services Society’s clinical sites. In this report, we say that the Drug Enforcement Administration says about a quarter of the fentanyl pills it seizes contain enough of the drug to be lethal. The DEA says more recently published numbers show that the figure increased to 42% in 2020. However, someone will need to administer it as soon as possible.
The Risks Involved
Purchasing fentanyl, especially through unauthorized channels, poses significant risks:
- Overdose Potential: Due to its potency, even a tiny miscalculation in dosage can lead to overdose and death.
- Contaminated Products: Illicitly obtained fentanyl might be mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of adverse reactions.
- Legal Consequences: Buying fentanyl illegally can lead to criminal charges and imprisonment.
How is Fentanyl Sold Illegally?
- Because of this, buying drugs that are illegally manufactured comes with a huge risk of consuming deadly amounts of fentanyl.
- However, it doesn’t work every time, and the effects of the naloxone may not last as long as the opioid.
- Learn about prevention, harm reduction and substance use at CU Boulder.
Illegally purchased fentanyl often comes in various forms:
- Pills: Fake pills made to look like legitimate prescription medications are common.
- Powder: Fentanyl can be found as a white powder, which can be ingested or injected.
- Transdermal Patches: Some people misuse fentanyl patches, which are designed for medical use only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is fentanyl safe when prescribed by a doctor?
Yes, when prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional, fentanyl can be safe. However, misuse is very dangerous.
2. How can I recognize fentanyl overdose?
Signs of overdose include:
- Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking up
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Blue or gray skin, especially on lips or nails
3. What should I do if I suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl?
Call emergency services immediately and, if available, administer naloxone (Narcan) to the individual while waiting for help.
4. Are there treatments available for fentanyl addiction?
Yes, treatment options include:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Counseling and behavioral therapies
- Support groups and rehabilitation programs
Conclusion
In summary, while people do buy fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, there is a significant risk when it is obtained illegally.
Understanding the nature of fentanyl, its uses, and its dangers is crucial for awareness and prevention efforts in combating the opioid crisis.
