The opioid crisis has been making headlines recently, with fentanyl as a particularly hot topic. If you work in education or in the justice system, you’ve probably heard or seen some of the damaging effects of this drug.
1. What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was originally developed for medical purposes. It’s intended to treat severe pain, often after surgery or in terminally ill patients. Its potency is up to one hundred times more potent than morphine and can be lethal in even the smallest doses. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are currently responsible for the most drug overdose deaths in the U.S.
Fentanyl can be used in different forms, including as a shot, a patch, or lozenges, when prescribed by a doctor. Illegally, fentanyl is often sold as a powder, on blotter paper, in eye droppers or nasal sprays, or made into pills resembling other prescription opioids. Some drug dealers mix fentanyl with other drugs to create a cheaper option, which can be dangerous as users may unknowingly consume stronger opioids and have a higher risk of overdose.
2. Fentanyl Is a Leading Cause of Overdose Deaths
Fentanyl-related overdoses have reached alarming levels. According to the CDC, fentanyl was responsible for over 70,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2021 alone, making it the most common cause of opioid overdose deaths. Because of its potency, even small amounts can be fatal, especially when individuals are unaware that they’re ingesting it.
3. Fentanyl Is Often Mixed with Other Drugs
One of the most dangerous aspects of fentanyl is its prevalence in other illicit drugs. It is commonly found mixed into substances like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit prescription pills. Many people who overdose on fentanyl didn’t even know they were taking it. This makes fentanyl particularly insidious, as individuals can unknowingly consume a lethal dose.
4. It Works Quickly and Is Extremely Potent
Fentanyl’s potency means it can cause severe harm very quickly. It acts on the brain’s opioid receptors, controlling pain and emotion, but at high doses, it can depress the central nervous system to the point where breathing stops. A fatal overdose can occur in just a matter of minutes. The margin for error is slim with fentanyl, as even the equivalent of two milligrams (about the size of a few grains of salt) can be lethal for most people.
Fentanyl’s effects also include: extreme happiness, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, constipation, sedation, breathing difficulties, and unconsciousness.
5. Naloxone Can Reverse a Fentanyl Overdose
Naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan) is an opioid overdose reversal drug that can be lifesaving if administered in time. However, because fentanyl is so potent, multiple doses of naloxone may be required to reverse the effects of an overdose. It is crucial that naloxone be readily available in communities, and that people are trained in how to use it, especially in environments where opioid use is prevalent.
6. Fentanyl Can Be Deadly for First-Time Users
Unlike many other substances, fentanyl poses an extreme risk even to individuals with no prior opioid tolerance. First-time users are especially vulnerable to its effects. Recreational users who experiment with drugs like cocaine or prescription pills may inadvertently take fentanyl and suffer fatal consequences. This unpredictability makes fentanyl particularly dangerous to inexperienced users.
What Do You Do If You Think Someone is Overdosing?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the steps if you think someone is experiencing an opioid overdose:
- Call 911 Immediately. (If you’re worried about legal repercussions, many states have Good Samaritan laws that are designed to protect overdose victims and those who assist in getting them help without legal consequences).
- If possible, administrator naloxone, which is a life-saving drug available in both an injectable and a prefilled spray.
- To prevent choking, lay the person on their side. Try to keep them awake and breathing, and wait with them until more help arrives.
7. The Best Way to Combat the Fentanyl Crisis is through Education and Prevention
Programs that include motivational interviewing and personalized feedback have been shown to positively influence behavior change and reduce high-risk substance use. Our online course Other Drugs covers the main drug classes of opiates, depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. It includes commonly misused prescription medications, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Xanax, and Ambien. It also covers the lethal effects of fentanyl.
What Treatments are Available for Addiction?
There are some medications paired with behavioral therapy that are helpful for treating those with fentanyl addiction. With the help of a practitioner, medications like methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone are safe and effective at saving lives.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Fentanyl drug facts. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Opioid overdose prevention toolkit: Naloxone. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/naloxone
Harm Reduction International. (2019). Naloxone and fentanyl overdose. Retrieved from https://www.hri.global/contents/1739
