Many drugs can lead to addiction, but some are more dangerous than others. Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drugs around. Read on to find out the answer to the question, why is fentanyl so deadly?
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is made in a lab, and it is used for pain management of cancer patients and for those recovering from surgery. It is 80-100 times stronger than morphine.
While fentanyl should be limited to medical use only, it is often sold illegally on the streets. It can be added to heroin, cocaine, or other drugs to make the effects even stronger. Some dealers may even sell fentanyl, pretending it is just heroin. This is generally a recipe for disaster as fentanyl is much stronger than heroin; if a person takes a dose of fentanyl thinking it is heroin, they ingest enough to cause a fatal overdose.
Fentanyl is sold on the street in a variety of forms, including eye droppers, nasal sprays, blotter papers, and powder. It is often referred to by the following nicknames:
- Apace
- China Girl
- China Town
- China White
- Dance Fever
- Goodfellas
- Great Bear
- He-Man
- Poison
- Tango
- Cash
How Does Fentanyl Impact the Body?
Like most opioids, fentanyl binds to the opioid receptors in the brain that control pain and emotions. In doing so, it dulls pain and causes feelings of sleepiness and drowsiness. It can also produce side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Unconsciousness
Fentanyl can also become addictive. After doing the drug a few times, the body begins building a tolerance to it. The person will need to take higher doses to get the same effect.
They may also start to get withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not in their system. These occur when the body becomes so used to the drug, it’s unable to function properly without it.
The person knows the only way to get rid of these symptoms short-term is to do more of the drug. This sets them on a vicious cycle.
Other signs of addiction include the following:
- Mood swings
- Impaired judgment
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Digestive issues
- Convulsions
- Loss of appetite
- Ulcers or sores in the mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Swelling of the extremities
- Pale skin
- Withdrawal from society
- An inability to enjoy the things you once loved
- Financial issues
- Legal issues
- Engaging in dangerous and dishonest behavior
Why is Fentanyl So Deadly?
Fentanyl is very dangerous. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids caused 56,516 overdose deaths in 2020.
There are several reasons why fentanyl worse than heroin. Here are some to consider.
- It’s Extremely Powerful: Fentanyl is 50-100% more powerful than morphine. This means it’s very easy to take a dose that is more than your body can handle. This is especially likely if you don’t realize you are taking fentanyl because it’s disguised as another drug.
- It’s Extremely Addictive: Fentanyl is highly addictive. It activates the rewards system of the brain, reinforcing its use and making negative consequences seem unimportant. Some say that the brain will crave the drug after taking it just once.
- People Don’t Always Know They are Using It: Fentanyl is cheaper than heroin and cocaine. Therefore, many drug dealers will mix it into their products. People that take it may not realize they are using such a powerful drug, so they end up taking more than they can handle.
How to Find Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
Fentanyl is a very dangerous drug, but fortunately, fentanyl treatment is available. It can be difficult to find the right treatment center for you. You must think about the cost, environment and the type of therapy offered. It can take hours to determine the best route to take, but you can make the process easier by contacting My Recovery Source first.
My Recovery Source is a free resource that specializes in matching people with the right rehab facility. We offer help regardless of your location and personal or financial situation. We can assist you or a loved one in finding the comprehensive care you require.
Addiction can keep you from fully enjoying life. Don’t let it take over your ability to find happiness. Call My Recovery Source today. We will set you on the road to recovery and personal success.
