Published November 2022
The opioid epidemic that has plagued our nation for the past several years is now at an all-time high. Even though the opioid crisis was initially due to prescription painkiller abuse, it has since branched out into heroin and fentanyl abuse. Although many people use fentanyl as a recreational drug, plenty of people are still prescribed fentanyl by their physicians. Fentanyl is highly potent and dangerous, putting anyone at risk when they don’t use it as prescribed. This year, in particular, we have seen a rise in fentanyl overdoses because drug dealers use it as filler for heroin. Because drug dealers use fentanyl as a filler for heroin, there’s a much higher chance that someone will overdose on this dangerous substance.
The number of overdoses from heroin and prescription drugs in America has increased dramatically, making it one of the most pressing public health problems facing our country today. More than 47,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2016—the most recorded in a single year. This alarming trend shows no signs of slowing down: according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) last month, overdose deaths were up about 7% compared with the same period the previous year—and the most significant increases were seen among rural populations where access to treatment may be limited due to distance or financial constraints on care providers.
In 2021, nearly 108,000 people died of drug overdoses, 71,000 of whom died from fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances. Illicit fentanyl overdose deaths among teens accounted for 77% of adolescent fentanyl deaths in 2021. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people die daily from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a schedule II drug with a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe dependence if misused. Nevertheless, doctors often prescribe this drug to patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.
Fentanyl is often prescribed with other drugs, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) or morphine sulfate (MS Contin). Unfortunately, patients using these medications for years often switch to something more powerful, like fentanyl, without realizing what they’re doing due to its potency. While this medication may seem harmless at first glance because it comes from your doctor’s office instead of being purchased on the street, it can still cause serious harm if abused even once.
Fentanyl is a highly potent and dangerous opioid that can be purchased illegally on the street. Doctors commonly prescribe it to treat pain, but it is also used in illegal drug manufacturing as a cutting agent. Fentanyl is often mixed with heroin or cocaine, which can make them more potent and dangerous.
Because fentanyl is so powerful, even when used as prescribed, caution is essential when taking your medication. If you’re prescribed a dose of fentanyl through your healthcare provider, and you feel uncomfortable with how much they are giving you or if they are giving it too often, talk to your provider about this before continuing treatment at home.
If anyone in your household has been using fentanyl without a prescription from their doctor, tell someone right away—the sooner we know about these potential dangers, the better chance we have of getting these people to help before severe damage occurs.
This year, in particular, we have seen a rise in fentanyl overdoses because drug dealers use it as filler for heroin. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often used to cut heroin. It can be fatal if you take too much and are not treated immediately after overdosing.
Fentanyl overdose deaths increased by 72 percent between 2015 and 2016, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In many of these cases, those fatalities were accidental because the user was unaware of the potency, which is often unregulated. After all, these drugs come from illegal and uncontrolled labs in Mexico and China.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used as an analgesic. It is not prescribed for pain but is often used to treat cancer and end-of-life care. Doctors can prescribe fentanyl in cases of chronic pain or to patients who have been treated with opioids in the past. This means that those addicted to heroin may turn to fentanyl when they cannot get their fix or want a more potent high.
A recent study found that between 2016 and 2017, fentanyl-related deaths increased by 72 percent in Los Angeles County alone; that’s more than two times faster than any other cause of death.
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that can be prescribed to treat severe pain. It’s often used in patches, lollipops, and lozenges, but it is also available as an illicit drug. This can lead to overdoses when people who use fentanyl aren’t aware of how potent the drug is or how quickly they’re becoming dependent on it.
When someone takes too much fentanyl, they can experience respiratory depression—their breathing slows down drastically—and they may not be able to breathe at all. If this happens, immediate medical attention is required: death could occur if you do not receive treatment within minutes of an overdose.
The opioid crisis is far from over and will continue to be an issue for many years until something drastic is done about the problem of distribution and awareness. The best way to fight this epidemic is by raising awareness of how dangerous fentanyl can be and ensuring people know how to protect themselves from accidental overdoses. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, contact Passages Malibu today.
Take the first step towards ending your addiction today. Call Passages Malibu anytime to speak to an admissions specialist or quickly verify your insurance benefits online now.
Take the first step towards ending your addiction today. Call Passages Malibu anytime to speak to an admissions specialist or quickly verify your insurance benefits online now.