Fentanyl has become a major thorn in the country\u2019s side in recent years. <\/p>\n
Cited as the leading culprit behind fatal overdoses in the U.S.<\/a>, the synthetic opioid has wreaked significant damage in Wisconsin. It is the number one killer of residents aged 25 – 54 in the state. This was reported in a 2023 study by Forward Analytics<\/a>. Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n Fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid. Compared to heroin, a potentially lethal opioid, it is at least 50 times stronger. It is also 100 times stronger than morphine. <\/p>\n Legally prescribed to treat severe pain after surgery, it\u2019s also used for chronic pain in patients with a tolerance for other opioids. In prescription form, fentanyl is distributed under brand names such as Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze. <\/p>\n Because it\u2019s addictive and causes heroin-like effects, it has become popular illegally. Fentanyl is so potent that it only takes a very small portion to induce strong highs. <\/p>\n Drug dealers are thus using it to reduce production costs. Some are mixing it with other stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Others are pressing it into pills that look like Percocet and Adderall. One drug dealer, Marianna Zimmer, was caught trafficking 8,400 fake Percocet pills containing fentanyl<\/a>. The Wisconsin resident was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment in August 2023. <\/p>\n As a prescription drug, fentanyl is legally administered in the following forms: <\/p>\n Illegally, it is sold as a powder, spiked onto blotter paper, put inside nasal sprays, and mixed into fake pills.<\/p>\n It is potentially fatal. A very tiny amount\u2014as little as two grains of salt\u2014is enough to cause death. <\/p>\n Fentanyl is so potent that it\u2019s easy to overdose on the substance. A fentanyl overdose can lead to slow breathing. In some cases, the affected person can stop breathing altogether. <\/p>\n The worst part? Many people ingesting the substance may not even be aware they\u2019re taking it. It\u2019s hard to detect. You can\u2019t see, smell, or taste it. <\/p>\n Because it\u2019s quite potent in tiny amounts, it\u2019s also a cheaper alternative to other stimulants like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Thus, drug dealers are mixing fentanyl with these stimulants to cut costs and make them more addictive. <\/p>\n Many people buying these laced drugs won\u2019t know they\u2019re taking stronger opioids than their bodies are used to. This explains why there have been thousands of fentanyl-related overdoses in the country. <\/p>\n The war against fentanyl is still raging. In 2022, the DEA reportedly seized millions of fentanyl-laced pills<\/a> and 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide. According to Forward Analytics, those seizures amounted to over 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl. <\/p>\n That number becomes more alarming when you consider that the U.S. population was estimated at just under 340 million in 2023.<\/p>\n Fentanyl binds to areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. Prolonged use of the opioid makes the brain adapt to the drug. It then becomes hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug. <\/p>\n If you suspect a fentanyl overdose, look for these signs in the affected person: slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or nails, and unresponsiveness. Call 911 immediately if you can spot these signs. <\/p>\n Naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioid use, will be administered by medical personnel if there is a suspected overdose. The drug can be taken via injection or nasal spray. <\/p>\n Because it\u2019s safe and effective, people close to opioid addicts are encouraged to keep naloxone around to use when needed. <\/p>\n If there\u2019s no naloxone and you\u2019re with someone experiencing a fentanyl overdose, here are a few things you can do before medical help arrives: <\/p>\n Please note:<\/em> Many opioids, including fentanyl, work for longer in the body than naloxone does\u201430 to 90 minutes. So there\u2019s a risk that the opioid will remain active even after naloxone has been used. <\/p>\n While you can administer naloxone to an affected person, you still have to call 911 and monitor them until emergency care arrives. You should keep watch for 2 hours after the last dose of naloxone, checking for signs of slowed or stopped breathing.<\/p>\n Fentanyl is highly addictive. Its usage, even as prescribed by a doctor, can lead to dependence. People who become dependent can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. <\/p>\n It\u2019s possible to become dependent without being addicted, but dependence is also a gateway to addiction<\/a>. <\/p>\n
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What is Fentanyl?<\/h2>\n
How do people use Fentanyl? <\/h3>\n
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How dangerous is Fentanyl?<\/h2>\n
How do you know someone has taken fentanyl?<\/h2>\n
Symptoms of fentanyl use\/abuse<\/h3>\n
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Symptoms of fentanyl overdose <\/h3>\n
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How to treat a fentanyl overdose<\/h3>\n
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How addictive is Fentanyl?<\/h2>\n