As the rate of addiction rises in the west, newer forms of substance abuse is gripping the nations. One of these drugs is Fentanyl, which is a dangerous and addictive opioid. According to the CDC, it leads to about 100,000 deaths in the west.
Since fentanyl usage is one the rise, people are often left wondering – “why is fentanyl so dangerous?”.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a drug, which is synthesised in labs and acts as an opioid. Most opioids are made and extracted from the opium poppy plant. However, fentanyl is made in labs and is approved by the US FDA as a Schedule II drug. It means that the drug is allowed to be used in specific situations.
These situations include pain relief after surgery. Nevertheless, it has been found that it has an extremely high potential for abuse and addiction. This is the reason why fentanyl usage is closely watched by a certified medical professional. Now, let us find out why fentanyl is dangerous.
Why is Fentanyl dangerous?
To understand why fentanyl is dangerous, we need to understand the effects of opioids on our brains. There are neurotransmitters known as opioid receptors responsible for secreting feelings of pleasure and pain. When the drug attaches itself to these neurotransmitters, it relieves pain and induces a sense of euphoria.
The first part is the addiction: after the first dose of fentanyl, the body of a user will crave it again. Here are some effects of fentanyl:
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Trouble in focusing
- Slowed heart rate
The DEA has stated that fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin. Therefore, the potency of the drug makes it even more dangerous. It can lead to overdose by even consuming a smaller amount.
The DEA has proven that even consuming 2 milligrams of pure substance can lead to fatal dosage. What is even more concerning are the samples being seized by the authorities. They have concluded that about 42% of the seized substance contained 2 milligrams or more of the drug.
Therefore, the number of people dying from abusing the drug is going up. But, it does not mean that recovery is not possible. The people can get themselves checked into a treatment facility for deaddiction. Several detox programs can help you get out of abusing the drug.