Signs of an Overdose: Recognizing the Dangers of Fentanyl
Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are one of, if not the most dangerous type of drug available today. While fentanyl does have some limited medical use, it is much more commonly used and abused recreationally.
Synthetic opioids as a whole are the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States today. In 2017 alone, over half of all opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl.
While fentanyl overdose deaths are on the rise, they are preventable if caught fast enough. That’s why it is so important to know the signs of an overdose and act accordingly.
Keep reading to learn more about Luna Recovery Services in Houston, Texas can help you recognize the signs of an overdose, fentanyl, and its effects, and how to avoid fentanyl-related overdoses from occurring.
What is Fentanyl?
As we touched on in the introduction, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. However, fentanyl is not just any synthetic opioid, it is incredibly powerful and dangerous. While it is medically prescribed to treat severe to chronic pain like other opioids, it is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, which is one of the stronger prescription opioids available.
Because of its potency, easy access, and propensity to be abused, fentanyl is considered a Schedule II drug. This means that while it does have legitimate medical uses, it is also often used and abused for recreational purposes.
Prescription names for fentanyl include:
- Actiq
- Duragesic
- Sublimaze
- Abstral
- Lazanda
Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Over the years, fentanyl has become an incredibly popular drug to mass produce, often outside the United States, and smuggle in. This type of fentanyl often comes to the U.S. in the form of counterfeit pills made to look like prescription drugs.
Since these pills are not regulated, they often contain deadly amounts of fentanyl. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reports that about two in every five counterfeit pills have a lethal dose of fentanyl.
While fentanyl has grown in popularity on its own, it has also become more popular as a “cutting” agent for other drugs such as cocaine, meth, and heroin. Lacing or “cutting” these other substances with fentanyl, makes the other substances cheaper to produce, which in turn results in a higher profit for those making and selling the drug.
Unfortunately, many people taking substances that have been laced or cut with fentanyl aren’t aware that there is fentanyl in the drug they are taking. This greatly increases the risk of an overdose.
Even if a lethal dose isn’t ingested, fentanyl can be highly addictive. Those suffering from fentanyl dependency or addiction can experience extreme side effects and symptoms including:
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Vision changes
- Changes in sleeping and eating habits
- Strange dreams
- Back or chest pain
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Reddening or flushing of the skin
- Having trouble urinating
- Swelling of the hands or feet
- Hallucinations
- Hives or rashes
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms as a result of their fentanyl use, especially for a prolonged period of time it is important to seek medical attention immediately before symptoms continue to worsen.
Fentanyl Addiction and Overdose Statistics
According to a study by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 5% of all urine specimens in clinics dealing in primary care, substance abuse, and pain management tested positive for fentanyl.
Below are some addiction and overdose statistics about fentanyl and opioid addiction:
- Over 2 million Americans 12 and older suffer from an opioid use disorder
- Over 20% of all people with a substance abuse issue have an opioid addiction
- Opioid abuse was one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2020
- In two years from 2020 to 2021, overdose deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids rose by over 50%
- From May 2019 to May 2020, there were over 40,000 fentanyl-related overdose deaths
- Fentanyl overdoses outnumber prescription opioid overdoses by over 500%
- Over 50% of all overdose deaths are fentanyl-related
- Asphyxiation is the leading cause of death in fentanyl overdoses
- From 2012 to 2018, fentanyl overdose death rates increased by over 1,000%
Signs and Symptoms of Fentanyl Overdose
As is the case with any substance of abuse, a fentanyl overdose has the risk of becoming deadly if not addressed quickly and properly. Knowing how to properly identify a possible fentanyl overdose can allow you or a loved one to spring into action and prevent possible death.
Below are some of the signs and symptoms of a possible fentanyl overdose:
- Slow, shallowed breathing
- Stopped breathing
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness
- Difficulty breathing
- Unable to respond or wake up
- Shrunken pupils
- Chest pain
- Blue lips
What To Do In the Case of a Fentanyl Overdose
If you or someone you know is experiencing a fentanyl overdose, you should call 911 immediately. If you have naloxone on hand you can administer that while you wait for paramedics to arrive. Naloxone is an opioid antidote that can be used to reverse the effects of an overdose. Naloxone can be obtained at most pharmacies, typically via a doctor’s prescription.
How Can I Prevent a Fentanyl Overdose?
While the easiest way to prevent a fentanyl overdose is to not take the drug in the first place, we know that can be easier said than done. If you or a loved one is suffering from fentanyl dependence or addiction, there are measures that you can take to make sure that you are not ingesting a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
While it might seem odd since fentanyl is largely an illicit substance and so are the substances that it is often laced or cut with, there are safe and legal ways that you can test for fentanyl. Fentanyl test strips can be used to test other illicit substances that might have been laced with or cut with fentanyl.
Should your fentanyl test come back positive, you will want to discard the substance so that you don’t run the risk of overdosing. It is also important to remember that a negative test result does that mean that there is no fentanyl present. All it means is that there is not enough fentanyl present to be lethal.
If you or someone in your house is taking an opioid of any kind, whether legally or illegally, you should make sure to have naloxone on hand either on your person or somewhere in your house that is easily accessible.
Naloxone is an opioid antidote that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and prevent a possible overdose-related death. Naloxone is available in the form of a nasal spray and injection and can be administered without any medical training. Many pharmacies offer naloxone and the pharmacist can go over how to administer it should you have any questions.
When using and abusing illicit substances it is fairly common for the person using and abusing drugs to do so alone. They might do so to hide from others that they have a problem. Using and abusing illicit substances alone can increase the risk of an overdose-related death because if you suffer from an overdose there is nobody around to help you.
Since fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, even the smallest amount can prove to be deadly. If you are taking fentanyl, whether medically or recreationally, or taking something you think might have fentanyl in it, take very small amounts.
Taking small amounts and waiting an extended period of time between dosages can help decrease the risk of a potential overdose while also limiting the potential for extreme side effects such as the ones we talked about earlier.
Avoid the Signs of an Overdose Entirely By Getting Help At Luna Recovery
The simplest way to prevent a drug-related overdose is to not take illicit substances in the first place. The second easiest way to prevent a drug-related overdose is to get professional help for your fentanyl abuse or addiction.
At Luna Recovery, we understand the dangers of all types of opioids, including fentanyl. We also know that while opioid-related overdoses are the most common, it is possible to overdose on any substance of abuse. That’s why we offer treatment for not just opioids but other substances of abuse including:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Meth
- Benzos
- Alcohol
If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, it is important to get them help before it is too late. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs and how we can get you on the road to recovery so that you can live a happy, healthy, and sober life.
Dr. Allaire received his Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, as Valedictorian of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and his Medical Doctorate from Baylor College of Medicine, where he served as Chief Resident. He is the medical monitor for the Physician Counseling Committee of the Harris County Medical Society and the Medical Director of Serenity House Detox. Dr. Allaire specializes in medically assisted detox cases, treating patients in recovery from addiction or other mental health disorders, the medical assessment and monitoring of patients with addictive disorders, medical care related to eating disorders and the medical treatment of patients with mental health conditions.
