The Facts About Fentanyl & Its Impact On The Drug Epidemic

As the opioid drug addiction epidemic continues to sweep our nation, fentanyl demonstrates an even greater threat than heroin & other synthetic drugs.

As government leaders and parents alike desperately seek answers to the overwhelming affects of opioid addiction, development of more powerful synthetic drugs continue to flood the market. Fentanyl is one such drug – a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Fentanyl has been used to treat severe pain, manage pain after surgery or for those who have chronic pain and are resistant to other opioids. Fentanyl goes by many different names, depending whether it is prescription form – Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze or its street name – Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash. It is the latter fentanyl laced heroin that has made headline news these days. When fentanyl is prescribed by a doctor it comes in the form of injection, transdermal patch or lozenges. The fentanl responsible for the rise in overdoses has been concocted in labs and sold as powder, mixed with heroin, spike on blotter paper or tablets. Opioids such as fentanyl, heroin and morphine bind to the body’s opioid receptors found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions which causes dopamine levels to rise, as well as in other areas of the brain that control breathing.

Effects of Fentanyl

• euphoria
• drowsiness
• nausea
• confusion
• constipation
• sedation
• tolerance
• addiction
• respiratory depression and arrest
• unconsciousness
• coma
• death

Overdoses that have been in the spotlight such as Prince, were often due to drug users snorting powders or pills without knowing they are laced with fentanyl. They think they are taking heroin or cocaine but it is actually a much higher dose opioid which will cause the heart to stop breathing. Naloxone is a medication used to try to reverse an opioid overdose but will require a higher dose due to the potency of fentanyl. Please reach out to Valley Detox Center to learn more about the dangers of opioids like heroin, fentanyl and others as well as how to get you or your loved one addiction help today by calling us 24/7 at (888) 544-6049.