Opioid use in the United States is at epidemic levels, and part of the problem is fentanyl. This highly-potent (and therefore highly-addictive) drug is causing an increase in opioid-related deaths.
If you suspect someone you know is abusing fentanyl, he or she may need help. This is what you need to know about fentanyl and how it could be affecting someone you love.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain. More powerful than morphine by up to 100 times, it's generally used to treat what's referred to as breakthrough pain ("sudden episodes of pain that occur despite round the clock treatment with pain medication"), typically in cancer patients, though it can occasionally be prescribed to manage chronic pain.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that pharmaceutical fentanyl can be given to a patient by an injection, patch, or lozenge; brand names include Actiq, Abstral, Fentora, and Onsolis. Illegally produced fentanyl may be sold as a powder or mixed with heroin.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a Schedule II drug, which means it has "...a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence."
In 2015, the DEA called fentanyl a threat to public health and safety. Noting the increased accessibility of illegally-created fentanyl, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited about 9,500 deaths that year as a result of overdoses on synthetic opioids like fentanyl (not including methodone). That showed an increase of 72 percent between 2014 and 2015.
"Opioids trigger the release of endorphins, your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters. Endorphins muffle your perception of pain and boost feelings of pleasure, creating a temporary but powerful sense of well-being. When an opioid dose wears off, you may find yourself wanting those good feelings back, as soon as possible. This is the first milestone on the path toward potential addiction."
Regular use of the drug: several times a day over a long period of time.
Avoidance of responsibilities or social events.
Criminal behavior, such as stealing, in an effort to obtain the drug.
Problems with money, or sudden requests for financial assistance.
Family or personal history of drug abuse.
Mental disorders, depression, or anxiety.
Exposure to high-risk people or environments.
Issues with employers or family members.
In the event of a fentanyl overdose, naloxone is used in the emergency room to reverse the effects of the drug to prevent death. Signs of an overdose could include difficulty breathing, vomiting, or a blue tinge to the lips.
When the person recognizes he or she has an addiction to fentanyl, he or she can seek treatment and counseling.
This could be in a rehabilitation center, where the person lives at the facility throughout the course of treatment. In some cases, outpatient treatment may be effective, if the person has a strong support system and is determined to recover. Both inpatient and outpatient programs focus on discovering the underlying causes of drug abuse and offering practical ways to cope moving forward and prevent a relapse.
When you stop using a drug like fentanyl, you will experience symptoms of withdrawal. It's important not to give in to the urge to take more drugs at this time, even though the symptoms can be uncomfortable. Getting through the withdrawal stage is an important step toward recovery.
About 12.5 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers in 2015.
"Drug deaths involving fentanyl more than doubled from 2015 to 2016"; fentanyl and fentanyl analogues accounted for 20,100 drug overdose deaths in 2016.
In New Hampshire alone in 2014, fentanyl overdose deaths increased by 72 percent.
"In Ohio...the typical fentanyl-related overdose victim was a 38-year-old white male with a high school diploma and some college education."
"Cook County, Ill., (Chicago) recorded a 2,700 percent increase in fatal fentanyl-related overdoses, jumping from 20 in 2014 to 562 in 2016."
"This is a health crisis that's worse than we've ever seen...This will kill more people than the AIDS epidemic."
Because of the highly-addictive nature of fentanyl, it's essential to work closely with your doctor if you were given fentanyl to manage pain. Watch for the signs of fentanyl use and abuse in yourself and those you love, and seek the help you need to prevent it from having a negative or even devastating impact on your life.