What Is Fentanyl and How Dangerous Is It?
Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic opioid that is around 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA,) and about 50 times more potent than heroin.
The legal prescription drug is primarily used to treat patients with severe pain, but it is also used recreationally. The drug is sold illegally in powder form, dropped onto blotter paper, put in eye droppers and nasal sprays, or made into pills.
Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are now the most common substances involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States, according to NIDA. Around 60 percent of opioid-related deaths in the U.S. in 2017 involved fentanyl—a significant rise from the figure of about 14 percent that was reported for 2010.
Because #fentanyl is so potent, an individual can easily overdose by taking even just a slightly larger amount than they were expecting.
Some drug dealers also add fentanyl to other drugs—such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA—because it is a cheaper option that can produce a high with a relatively small quantity, thus, increasing their profits.
The NIDA says it is "especially risky" when people take substances that they don't realize have been laced with fentanyl, making it more likely that they will overdose.
When fentanyl is mixed with other substances, it can be difficult to determine which drug is causing the overdose. #soberisdope #abuse #mentalhealthawareness #alcoholic #addiction #sobermovement #addictiontreatment #cleanandsober #substanceabuse #soberlife #alcoholism #meditation #addictionrecovery #health #fitness #recovery #odaat #sobriety #recoveryispossible #addict #wedorecover #soberwomen #soberaf #inspiration #sober #mentalhealth
