Are Fentanyl Laced Street Drugs Dangerous?

Familiarize Yourself with Fentanyl Laced Street Drugs

Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid analgesic that is fifty to one hundred times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is normally used to treat pain in patients that have recently had surgery or who suffer from chronic and severe pain. Sometimes, certain individuals have a physical tolerance to some opioid medications so they are prescribed fentanyl. Fentanyl-laced street drugs are very dangerous, indeed. To find out more, call WhiteSands Treatment.

Slang for terminology fentanyl-laced drugs, like heroin, for example, include:

• China Girl
• China White
• Dance Fever
• Apache
• Cash
• Murder 8
• TNT
• Friend

Fentanyl is marketed as Sublimaze, Duragesic, and Actiq. Medical professionals may administer the drug via injections, lozenges, or a transdermal patch. On the street, fentanyl is sold in powder form, mixed with heroin, as pills (that look like other pills), or spiked on blotter paper. Fentanyl may be swallowed, snorted, injected, or place the blotter paper on the tongue, where the fentanyl may be absorbed through the mucous membrane.

Fentanyl acts on the opioid receptors in the brain that control breathing rate. One reason that high doses of fentanyl are dangerous is that they can cause a person to cease breathing, which will lead to death. Since drug dealers commonly cut other drugs with fentanyl, it is quite treacherous to buy drugs on the street and consume them because you never know what you are going to get. If you suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl-laced street drugs, contact emergency services immediately.

Symptoms of overdose include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Altered level of consciousness
• Cardiac arrest
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Severe confusion
• Respiratory arrest or shallow breathing

Everything from cocaine to heroin to Xanax is being laced (or cut) with fentanyl on the street today. Statistics from British Columbia say that in 2106, fentanyl was found in fifty-six percent of all drug overdoses. This figure is up thirty-one percent from 2015. The reason for cutting drugs with the fentanyl is because it equals a higher profit for the seller.

Among the most prolific drug mixed with fentanyl is Xanax. Fentanyl Xanax is so very dangerous because kids like to experiment with Xanax – however, they get a rude awakening when they buy these counterfeit pills. The reason this is an issue is that fentanyl is an opioid and Xanax is a benzodiazepine which is used to reduce anxiety. When an individual is not used to ingesting opioids, their body is not as tolerant to it as are the people who use heroin or other opioids.

Fentanyl provides a high which is similar to heroin. The user may experience euphoria, relaxation, and reduced pain (after all, this drug is normally prescribed for pain management). Fentanyl-laced street drugs may produce the following side effects:

• Itchy skin
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Altered heart rate
• Sweating
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Dilated pupils
• Slowed breathing rate

Long-term effects of fentanyl include:

• Increased risk for multiple organ system damages
• Increased risk for damage due to significantly decreased oxygen in the body tissues
• Significant increase of risk for overdose and even death
• Harm to personal life and relationships
• Worsen pre-existing mental health issues, or it may spark a new mental health issue

Withdrawal from fentanyl is not pleasant – to put it lightly. Symptoms include:

• Tremors
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Panic
• Anxiety
• Loss of appetite
• Agitation
• Fever/chills
• Sweating
• Intense cravings
• Runny nose
• Diarrhea

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.