They may take what they deem to be a “standard dose” of the drug they think they are taking. This often leads to fentanyl-related overdoses, since the inclusion of fentanyl can cause the dose to actually be lethal. The person taking the drugs has no idea fentanyl is present, and thus cannot accurately calculate how much to consume and remain safe. Drug dealers can stretch out their supply of drugs and sell to more people, promising a potent high. Design for Change Recovery offers a customized program in a secure and comforting environment that promotes healing. We can help you overcome fentanyl misuse and addiction with our full continuum of care that addresses the physical, psychological, and spiritual elements of substance use.
- Traditional approaches to opioid addiction may require modification for fentanyl users due to the drug’s unique characteristics.
- At Healthy Life Recovery, we’ve helped many individuals overcome fentanyl addiction through our comprehensive, individualized treatment approach.
- Because the drug is less expensive than other opioids, people making it illegally commonly mix it into drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamines.
- Whether in yourself, a friend, or a loved one, early detection of fentanyl addiction is critical for seeking help before it’s too late.
- In case of overdose, remove the fentanyl from the victim’s mouth and call local emergency services at 911.
Chronic pain
- Turns out this happens to some degree with many other opioids, like heroin and oxycodone — the so-called “nod” one gets in an initial high.
- The drug’s potency means that even tiny amounts — equivalent to just a few grains of salt — can cause fatal overdoses.
- It remains a prevalent problem in both the state and across the nation, as two out of three overdose deaths in the U.S. are a result of opioid use, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s office.
- The drug interacts with receptors in your brain to create feelings of pain relief, relaxation, contentment, and pleasure.
- Many people unknowingly consume fentanyl when it’s mixed with other substances or sold as counterfeit prescription medications.
A fentanyl user for the past two years, Jeff Barlow tried to explain why users tend to double over in such extreme angles. Overdose prevention is a CDC priority that impacts families and communities. Drug overdose is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Contact our Lancaster, CA facility to speak with a treatment advisor and begin your freedom from addiction.
How does fentanyl affect the brain?
Some opioids come directly from the opium poppy plant, but manufacturers make fentanyl in a lab and reproduce the chemical structure. One line is a positive result and means there is fentanyl in your drug supply. Fentanyl patches pose a danger to kids who can stick them on their skin or mouths. This can cause death by slowing their breathing and lowering oxygen levels in their blood. People who make it mix it with dyes and either press it into multicolored pills or sell it in a colored powder form.
How many people have died of fentanyl poisoning in Arizona and the United States?
Fentanyl can be up to 100 times stronger than other opiates like heroin, oxycodone, or morphine. This extreme potency is one of the main reasons that fentanyl is as dangerous as it is. Even if users are used to the depressant effects of other opiates, Fentanyl has a high risk of “out performing” other drugs.
The Fentanyl Fold: Why Fentanyl Users Bend Over
When people overdose on fentanyl, their alcohol rehab breathing can slow or stop. This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to a coma, permanent brain damage, and even death. It’s one of the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. You can become dependent on fentanyl even if you’re taking it as directed by a doctor. This means you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking it.
“I mean, I can, but it hurts a lot to have to do that,” he said. Find rehab for yourself or a loved one by speaking with a treatment provider. While more research is needed on the causes of fentanyl fold, it is clear that it is an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous side-effect of fentanyl use. As these are unofficial terms, they can rapidly change and vary from region to region.
The Role of Respiratory Depression
When someone is bent forward in a fentanyl fold, their stiff chest and torso muscles can limit lung movement, making each breath smaller. At the same time, fentanyl affects the brain’s control of breathing, slowing it even more. Together, these effects can quickly cause oxygen levels to plummet, leading to overdose – and, without immediate help, death. It’s important to identify warning signs that could indicate a fentanyl overdose. Physical indicators like extended periods of nodding off or folding over, especially when the person is unresponsive or difficult to rouse, fentanyl fold are red flags that demand urgent medical intervention. While more nationwide prevention efforts and reduction strategies are needed to combat the opioid epidemic, prevention can also start in the home.
While waiting for emergency services, try to keep the person awake and breathing. Speak loudly to them, tap their shoulders firmly and try to position them to keep airways open. If they become unconscious, place them in the recovery position on their side to prevent choking.
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