By Jennifer McDougall
The opioid epidemic that has plagued our nation for the past several years is now at an all-time high. Even though the opioid crisis was initially due to prescription painkiller abuse, it has since branched out into heroin and fentanyl abuse. Although many people use fentanyl as a recreational drug, plenty of people are still prescribed fentanyl by their physicians. Fentanyl is highly potent and dangerous, putting anyone at risk when they don’t use it as prescribed. This year, in particular, we have seen a rise in fentanyl overdoses because drug dealers use it as filler for heroin. Because drug dealers use fentanyl as a filler for heroin, there’s a much higher chance that someone will overdose on this dangerous substance.
The opioid epidemic plaguing our nation for the past several years is now at an all-time high.
The number of overdoses from heroin and prescription drugs in America has increased dramatically, making it one of the most pressing public health problems facing our country today. More than 47,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2016—the most recorded in a single year. This alarming trend shows no signs of slowing down: according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) last month, overdose deaths were up about 7% compared with the same period the previous year—and the most significant increases were seen among rural populations where access to treatment may be limited due to distance or financial constraints on care providers.
In 2021, nearly 108,000 people died of drug overdoses, 71,000 of whom died from fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances. Illicit fentanyl overdose deaths among teens accounted for 77% of adolescent fentanyl deaths in 2021. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people die daily from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Even though the opioid crisis was initially due to prescription painkiller abuse, it has since branched out into heroin and fentanyl abuse.
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and is 100 times stronger than morphine.
- Fentanyl was developed as a painkiller in the 1960s but is now commonly used to treat severe pain after surgery or in people with advanced cancer.
- It can be given through injection or made into tablets.
- Between 2014 and 2015, fatal overdoses involving fentanyl increased by 540%.
Although many people use fentanyl as a recreational drug, plenty of people are still prescribed fentanyl by their physicians.
Fentanyl is a schedule II drug with a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe dependence if misused. Nevertheless, doctors often prescribe this drug to patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.
Fentanyl is often prescribed with other drugs, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) or morphine sulfate (MS Contin). Unfortunately, patients using these medications for years often switch to something more powerful, like fentanyl, without realizing what they’re doing due to its potency. While this medication may seem harmless at first glance because it comes from your doctor’s office instead of being purchased on the street, it can still cause serious harm if abused even once.
Fentanyl is highly potent and dangerous, putting anyone at risk when they don’t use it as prescribed.
Fentanyl is a highly potent and dangerous opioid that can be purchased illegally on the street. Doctors commonly prescribe it to treat pain, but it is also used in illegal drug manufacturing as a cutting agent. Fentanyl is often mixed with heroin or cocaine, which can make them more potent and dangerous.
Because fentanyl is so powerful, even when used as prescribed, caution is essential when taking your medication. If you’re prescribed a dose of fentanyl through your healthcare provider, and you feel uncomfortable with how much they are giving you or if they are giving it too often, talk to your provider about this before continuing treatment at home.
If anyone in your household has been using fentanyl without a prescription from their doctor, tell someone right away—the sooner we know about these potential dangers, the better chance we have of getting these people to help before severe damage occurs.
This year, in particular, we have seen a rise in fentanyl overdoses because drug dealers use it as filler for heroin.
This year, in particular, we have seen a rise in fentanyl overdoses because drug dealers use it as filler for heroin. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often used to cut heroin. It can be fatal if you take too much and are not treated immediately after overdosing.
Fentanyl overdose deaths increased by 72 percent between 2015 and 2016, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In many of these cases, those fatalities were accidental because the user was unaware of the potency, which is often unregulated. After all, these drugs come from illegal and uncontrolled labs in Mexico and China.
Because drug dealers use fentanyl as filler for heroin, there’s a much higher chance that someone will overdose on this dangerous substance.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used as an analgesic. It is not prescribed for pain but is often used to treat cancer and end-of-life care. Doctors can prescribe fentanyl in cases of chronic pain or to patients who have been treated with opioids in the past. This means that those addicted to heroin may turn to fentanyl when they cannot get their fix or want a more potent high.
A recent study found that between 2016 and 2017, fentanyl-related deaths increased by 72 percent in Los Angeles County alone; that’s more than two times faster than any other cause of death.
Fentanyl overdoses cause respiratory depression, leading to death if not treated immediately.
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that can be prescribed to treat severe pain. It’s often used in patches, lollipops, and lozenges, but it is also available as an illicit drug. This can lead to overdoses when people who use fentanyl aren’t aware of how potent the drug is or how quickly they’re becoming dependent on it.
When someone takes too much fentanyl, they can experience respiratory depression—their breathing slows down drastically—and they may not be able to breathe at all. If this happens, immediate medical attention is required: death could occur if you do not receive treatment within minutes of an overdose.
Passages Malibu offers the best program for treating the underlying causes behind addiction and mental health conditions.
You’ve probably heard of Passages Malibu, the non-12-step luxury rehab that treats the underlying causes behind addiction and mental health disorders. But did you know that our clients are also treated for mental health disorders and many substance abuse-related issues? We believe no one should be ashamed or feel guilty about having a mental illness or struggling with alcohol or drugs.
Passages Malibu is unique because our treatment programs are individualized to each client’s needs and preferences. Our staff includes nutrition, psychology, meditation, and yoga experts—among other disciplines—who work together to create a program customized just for you. You’ll never feel judged by us here at Passages Malibu; instead, we will help you understand why you developed your addiction problem so that you can choose how best to move forward from there on out: without shame or guilt.
At Passages Malibu, we offer an individualized treatment program that works to treat addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions on a case-by-case basis.
Our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists work with clients in our state-of-the-art facility to create individualized treatment plans based on their needs. Each client receives 24/7 care overseen by our medical staff while at Passages Malibu.
This individualized approach ensures that each person spends time working on their areas of concern and receives the most effective treatment possible for them. In addition to addressing the specific chemical dependency issues facing each client, we may also identify coexisting mental health conditions that need attention and educate clients about healthy ways of coping with stress so they can avoid relapse once graduating from rehab.
Conclusion
The opioid crisis is far from over and will continue to be an issue for many years until something drastic is done about the problem of distribution and awareness. The best way to fight this epidemic is by raising awareness of how dangerous fentanyl can be and ensuring people know how to protect themselves from accidental overdoses. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, contact Passages Malibu today.
