Fentanyl Detox is More Important Than Ever
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid. Illegally manufactured fentanyl production has skyrocketed in the past 10 years, making the need for fentanyl detox greater than ever. In prescription form, fentanyl is known by brand names like Actiq, Duragesic, or Sublimaze. It is often administered in the form of transdermal patch (like a band-aid or nicotine patch). It’s also found in lozenge or lollipop form. When prescribed by a doctor, fentanyl is often used to relieve severe pain, for example in people with cancer. You might see a doctor use it to help someone recovering from a serious injury or major surgery. Because fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, it has a high potential for abuse and it’s very dangerous. Many of the people seeking fentanyl detox became dependent on it after first using it as prescribed. Many others encounter it in the black market.
Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
The demand for fentanyl detox has risen steadily as it began to appear in the black-market drug stream more and more in recent years. The problem of fentanyl abuse is complex. Fentanyl is so potent that people who work with it in powdered form must cover their nose and mouth and any exposed skin. A tiny pinch of pure fentanyl is sufficient to kill someone via overdose. Fentanyl detox can be challenging because fentanyl is so strong and it binds to opioid receptors in the brain more powerfully than conventional opiates.
People who have overdosed on fentanyl frequently don’t respond to a typical dose of NARCAN (naloxone) that would be sufficient to reverse a typical heroin or oxycodone overdose. Fentanyl detox is further complicated by the fact that clients often aren’t aware they’ve taken fentanyl. The DEA found that 42% of the pills seized in drug busts contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl which is enough to be potentially deadly to someone without a high tolerance. The crackdown on prescription opioid availability has created a huge market for fake prescription opioid tablets. Fake OxyContin and Percocet tablets almost always contain fentanyl and the majority of the tablets in the black market now are, in fact, fake.
Fentanyl is Extremely Dangerous Because:
- It is often found inheroin and fake pain pills which make up the majority of the supply.
- The potency is so high that illegal manufacturers often mix too much into heroin or pills.
- Itl binds so powerfully to receptors that NARCAN doesn’t work as well to reverse OD.
- It can be made using chemicals, so no raw opium is needed and it is easier to smuggle.
- Users are often unaware that fentanyl is in their drugs or underestimate its strength.
Fentanyl Detox Saves Lives
Because fentanyl is completely synthetic, illegal manufacturers do not need any opiate precursors to create it. Heroin is manufactured using raw opium which comes from harvesting opium poppies. Raw opium and heroin are both harder to acquire because opium poppies are only grown in quantity in certain parts of the world and because they both have a strong enough odor to be easily detected by drug sniffing dogs. The mass of raw opium and heroin is also much higher than fentanyl relative to the amount needed to create a high. All of these factors have combined to create a new opioid crisis in America. The demand for fentanyl detox is higher than ever before as a result. The federal government is responding to the fentanyl crisis by expanding access to resources.
Fentanyl detox is more likely to be successful when the medical personnel administering it are aware it’s fentanyl they are dealing with. Unfortunately, clients are often unaware they have taken fentanyl. However, when paramedics or other professionals encounter an alleged overdosed person who doesn’t respond to a normal dose of NARCAN meant to reverse overdose, the logical conclusion is that fentanyl detox is needed. In the short term, first responders often elect to administer extra NARCAN until there is a sufficient amount to counteract the fentanyl. But this isn’t always successful. Effective fentanyl detox is critical because this drug is responsible for a large and growing number of overdose deaths in the U.S. In fact, almost every state in the country is seeing an increase in overdose deaths associated with fentanyl year after year.
Advantages of Fentanyl Detox and MAT at TruHealing Centers:
- The safety and security of 24-hour detox nurses on duty for observation.
- Our detox protocol substantially reduces both withdrawal symptoms and cravings
- Counseling and therapy are available as soon as the client is willing and ready.
- We have substantial experience and expertise in providing detox from fentanyl.
- Additional addiction treatment is available at TruHealing Centers for continuity of care.
TruHealing Centers: A Trusted Partner
The rise of fentanyl in the black-market drug supply has served to amplify the urgency of measures to counteract America’s opioid crisis. TruHealing Centers is dedicated to advocating for people living with substance use disorders. We are also proactive in supplying information and resources to people with addiction and their families. TruHealing Centers believes that education is an essential part of the solution when it comes to combating addiction. Our mission is to help people recover from substance use disorders, find and treat co-occurring disorders and help foster long-term recovery. TruHealing Centers is more than a healthcare provider. We’re a partner for recovery. We are ready to give you or your loved one everything they need for successful recovery. All that’s needed to begin is enough willingness to try.
You Don’t Have To Go It Alone
If you or a loved one would like more information on dual diagnosis treatment, Truhealing Addiction Services can help! Contact us today to discuss your treatment options with an addiction treatment specialist.
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