Legacy Healing Center Blog

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is medically used to treat severe patients, especially after surgery. It is similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent, making it easy to overdose on. It is a prescription drug but is also used and manufactured illegally. Lately, Fentanyl has taken over the illegal opioid market and is a significant contributor to the rise in opioid overdoses.

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Fentanyl Drug Facts

Physicians prescribe Fentanyl for severe pain, like after surgery, or chronic illness like cancer as a potent analgesic. They are also prescribed for chronic pain cases where the person can develop tolerance to other opioids.

As a prescription, such names as Duragesic, Actiq, and Sublimaze are known. Because of its high potency, just three milligrams, the equivalent of a few grains of sand, is enough to cause an overdose in an average-sized adult male. It is being found in almost all street drugs, including cocaine and heroin, which has caused numerous unknowing users to go through an opioid overdose.

How Do People Misuse Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is illegally manufactured in clandestine labs, then sold as a powder, dropped onto blotter paper, eye drops, nasal spray, or made into pills that look like other prescription opioids. It is also being mixed with other street drugs, and its high potency makes it a cheaper option to produce a high.

How Fentanyl Affects The Brain

Like other opioids, Fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which control pain and emotions. With frequent use, the brain adapts to the drug, creating tolerance, and making it harder to feel anything besides the drug. It then causes physical addiction. Some of the effects of the drug include:

• Drowsiness
• Euphoria
• Sedation
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Breathing problems
• Unconsciousness
• Extreme happiness

The Dangers of Fentanyl Overdose

Users can very easily overdose on Fentanyl. An overdose happens when the substance causes serious adverse effects and life-threatening symptoms. It can slow or even stop breathing, decreasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia. This process can lead to coma, permanent brain damage, and even death.

Drugs users generally are unaware their heroin or other drug is laced with Fentanyl. When they use their usual quantity, they may unintentionally take a deadly dose. Drug dealers lace their typical products with Fentanyl as a cheap way to improve potency but sometimes miscalculate because of either human error or equipment error, giving their clients a higher dose. Also, illegally-made Fentanyl is not regulated like the pharmaceutical version, so its potency can be unpredictable.

Drug Rehab for Fentanyl Overdose

Fentanyl overdose requires immediate emergency medical care. After an overdose, many users decide to enter a drug rehab program. Similar to other opioid addiction recovery programs, medication and behavioral therapies effectively treat drug addiction.

Medications are used during the drug detox process to help reduce the negative symptoms of withdrawal and ensure safety. They can also be used to help with the recovery process in the longer term. Counseling and behavioral therapies can help individuals with drug use attitudes and habits. They also gain a support system and coping mechanisms to help long-term sobriety.

Legacy Healing Center Drug Rehab

Legacy Healing Center offers comprehensive addiction treatment for opioid and fentanyl addiction. We strive to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment to ensure our patients heal from addiction at the body, mind, and spirit levels. Legacy Healing Center has a drug program for every level of addiction, from medical detox to inpatient programs to outpatient programs.

If you or someone you love is suffering from opioid or fentanyl addiction, please give us a call at 888.534.2295 today. One of our addiction specialists is always available to answer any questions you may have.