While traditional opiates like morphine and codeine derive from the opium poppy plant, fentanyl is human-made and comes from laboratories. Despite its synthetic nature, fentanyl interacts with the body’s opioid receptors in the same way as natural opiates, making it highly potent and potentially deadly.
Understanding Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid, estimated to be 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin. When administered in carefully controlled doses under medical supervision, it relieves severe pain such as that experienced by cancer patients and people recovering from surgery.
However, fentanyl is dangerous outside a medical setting. Because it is so potent, even small amounts can cause an overdose. Its presence in the illicit drug supply has increased in recent years, often mixed with other substances like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine or pressed into molds that look like prescription medications.
Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Fentanyl’s potency makes it extremely risky for several reasons.
- Small doses can be lethal: Two milligrams of fentanyl – an amount small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil – can suppress breathing and cause respiratory failure.
- Resembles other drugs: Fentanyl’s chameleon-like nature makes it difficult to detect by sight, taste, or smell. Many people take it unknowingly, leading to accidental overdoses.
- Widespread in the drug supply: Fentanyl has become increasingly prevalent in the United States, leading to a surge in overdose deaths.
Accidental Overdose Prevention
One of the most alarming aspects of fentanyl is the rate of accidental overdoses. Many people who use other substances, such as heroin, cocaine, or prescription pills, expose themselves to fentanyl without realizing it. Because it is so potent, what might have been a survivable dose of another drug becomes fatal when fentanyl is in the equation.
Additionally, counterfeit pills made to resemble medications like OxyContin, Xanax, or Percocet are often fentanyl-laced. Without testing, there’s no way you can know these pills contain the synthetic opioid until it’s too late.
Fentanyl test strips are a highly effective way to prevent accidental fentanyl overdoses. These small, affordable strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in various substances, empowering you to make informed decisions. While test strips are not foolproof, they are a vital harm-reduction tool for those who may be at risk of exposure.
Make a Fresh Start
If you struggle with illicit substance use, understanding the risks associated with fentanyl could save your life. The Pearl provides compassionate, women-centered addiction treatment that addresses the physical and emotional aspects of substance use disorder. Our Texas recovery center provides a safe space to heal, surrounded by supportive peers who understand the journey.
Fentanyl may be powerful, but so is choosing to overcome addiction. Reach out to us today to begin your path to healing.
