What You Should Know About Drugs Laced With Fentanyl
The Dangers of Fentanyl Laced Drugs
Drugs laced with Fentanyl are becoming more common and contributing to more overdoses than ever. Lacing is when a substance or drug is added to drugs, especially in street drugs, to increase weight and profits. Some of these “cutting” agents include laundry detergent, talcum powder, and rat poison. However, Fentanyl is one of the most deadly and powerful.
Fentanyl acts as a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl binds to the opioid receptors of the brain that control pain and emotions. It can cause extreme happiness, drowsiness, breathing problem, unconsciousness, and death. Fentanyl is measured in micrograms when administered by medical professionals because of how potent it is, making it extremely easy to overdose on. Its potency also makes it highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms are just like other opioids and can start just a few hours after the drug was last taken.
What Drugs Can Be Laced With Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is so easy to manufacture and creates such an intense high in even small doses; it has become one of the more common lacing agents used in street drugs. Most drugs bought on the street are the ones that may be laced with Fentanyl. Some of the most common drugs laced with Fentanyl include:
- Heroin: It is typical for heroin laced with Fentanyl to cause an overdose because the substances act on the same receptors in the brain and nervous system. The overdose usually comes from slow breathing preventing oxygen from reaching the brain.
- Marijuana: On its own, marijuana is unlikely to cause an overdose, but when laced with Fentanyl, overdoses have happened. Most people purchasing marijuana are not likely to suspect it is laced with Fentanyl, especially when bought on the streets, making it dangerous, especially if they are used to smoking large quantities.
- Cocaine: Fentanyl has increased the rate of cocaine-involved overdose deaths. The mix of the two is called “speedballing” and is done to create an intense rush while hoping to increase both drugs’ impact.
- Fake Prescription Drugs: Counterfeit pain and anxiety medication that contains Fentanyl can look just like the common prescription drugs like Xanax and Percocet they are disguised as. It is always unsafe to take prescription drugs that are not prescribed personally by a doctor and much less safe when a reputable pharmacy does not dispense them.
Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Along with drugs laced with Fentanyl, the substance by itself is so dangerous because of how strong it is. Compared to many other opioids, its chemical makeup allows it to bind to opioid receptors in the brain much faster. Even the most minor miscalculation in dosage can cause an overdose. Many fentanyl overdose deaths have occurred in people who had no idea the drug they were using was laced with Fentanyl. Recreational drug users can never be sure if what they have purchased on the street has Fentanyl and whether there is a dangerous amount in it.
Fentanyl was developed as a pain medication, like many other synthetic opioids. It enters the system and quickly crosses the blood-to-brain barrier, causing a numbed “euphoric” feeling. Like many other opioids, due to its analgesic effect, the nervous system can become impaired, causing the lungs to fail.
Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Drugs laced with Fentanyl can quickly develop into an opioid addiction if the user was not aware what they were abusing was laced with Fentanyl. If the person is medically stable, it is vital to find a reputable drug rehab facility that treats opioid addiction.
At JC’s Recovery Center in Hollywood, Florida, our mission is to use an individualized and holistic approach for people of all faiths to treating various types of addiction, including opioid rehab. We use behavioral therapy and dual diagnosing to help underlying mental health disorders. We also rely on life coaching and medication-assisted treatment, which is essential for opioid abuse recovery in some cases. If you or a loved one need help with addiction or would like more information about our Christian Drug Rehab programs, please contact JC’s Recovery Center today at (844) 524-6873.
The post What You Should Know About Drugs Laced With Fentanyl appeared first on JC's Recovery.
Article Source : www.jcrecoverycenter.com/bl...
