Fentanyl Abuse

The Dangers Of Fentanyl Abuse

When prescribed by a medical expert, fentanyl can be taken orally using lozenges, through a transdermal patch, or via an injection. It binds to the brain's opioid receptors and it stays there for quite a long period time (when compared to other painkilling medications). Whilst it's in effect, it relieves pain and it can even alter emotions.

This narcotic relaxes the brain and body of those who abuse it, and this is because it's a central nervous system depressant.

What does fentanyl do?

When it's taken, the user is likely to feel joy and relaxation. However, they may also feel sleepy, nauseas, depressed, confused, constipated and their inhibitions may also be lowered (which means that they might be more likely to take risks that they wouldn't have done whilst not intoxicated), too.

The brain's opioid receptors control a person's breathing rate as well as their pain tolerance. This means that, if they have an overdose of fantanyl or other painkiller drugs, it can cause them to stop breathing - and that can lead to a coma or even death.

It's also possible for a person to have an accidental overdose when they have been prescribed fentanyl, but the chance of an overdose occurring is much more likely in those who are addicted to this drug, especially when heroin is being illegally sold as this substance.

The signs of a fentanyl overdose

There are some ways to spot when somebody has taken an overdose. For example, they may have difficulty breathing, or an extreme sense of confusion. Other signs are dizziness, drowsiness, dilated or pinpoint pupils, a loss of coordination and a blue tint around the person's nose, lips, or under their fingernails.

Sometimes, people have fentanyl overdoses whilst abusing heroin. This is because it is sometimes sold as heroin (or with it), and the user may not know that they are taking a replacement drug. Fentanyl is around 50 times more potent than heroin and taking the same amount of it (or laced heroin) means that the person is actually taking much more than they realised.

Rehabilitation from fentanyl substance abuse

To get help for a drug addiction (whether it's a dependency to fentanyl or another kind of narcotic), rehab is often one of the best choices.

Rehab centres offer treatment and care to their patients - and they're often effective in helping addicts to recover. Some of the best types of treatment programs are inpatient and outpatient treatments, as inpatient offers intense residential care and outpatient programs allow their patients to receive their treatment at set times.