You may have heard of the dangers of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, but you may not know precisely why it is so dangerous. In recent years, this potent drug has caused thousands of lethal and non-lethal overdoses. What it makes it so much more dangerous than other opioid drugs?
- Fentanyl definition – Fentanyl is an incredibly strong synthetic opioid. It is 30-50 times more potent than heroin, and it is 50-100 times stronger than morphine.
- Proper use of fentanyl – Fentanyl is typically used in cases in which powerful painkillers are necessary. Some doctors use it to control pain that results from surgery. Some patients who are suffering from very advanced cases of cancer also use fentanyl to manage their pain.
- Dangers of fentanyl – The potency of the drug means that even a small amount can be deadly to someone. It is also becoming more common because drug traffickers can make a massive profit from the drug. Its potency means that they can stretch the product across many more pills than they could with a less potent opioid.
One of the greatest dangers of fentanyl is when someone buys a drug, and they are not aware of the presence of fentanyl in the substance. If there is too much fentanyl, this can lead to an overdose and possibly death. Some people are working to address this issue among those who are addicted to opioids.
Recently, scientists have developed a test strip with which drug users can see if the substance they bought contains fentanyl. These test strips are affordable to anyone, guaranteeing that they will be available to anyone who may be in danger of purchasing drugs laced with fentanyl. The strips cost only one dollar.
Tools such as this one and others that will be developed are essential to avoiding overdose deaths from accidental fentanyl use. It is thought that fentanyl has contributed to a drastic increase in recent years. Overall, the drug was likely responsible for 20,000 overdose deaths in 2016 alone.
While tools such as this test strip will help drug users to avoid fentanyl, opioid addiction is still a genuine problem. If you or a loved one is ready to seek help for opioid dependence, Asana Recovery is ready to help. We can help you work towards a future free of any opioids in your life. We understand the difficult process of transitioning to a drug-free lifestyle, but with the support of the right team, anyone can do it.
Asana Recovery uses supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs to help you stop depending on opioid drugs. To do that, we offer treatment in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We want you to succeed in committing to a healthy future, free of substance abuse. If you are ready to leave opioid addiction behind, there is no better time to start that journey. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to hear how our comprehensive drug addiction treatment program can help you.
