Why is Fentanyl so Dangerous?

Between 2019 and 2021, overdose deaths have spiked by over 50% in Oregon. Preliminary data from 2022 shows us that things aren’t getting much better. Studies show that the culprit behind this increase in overdoses is fentanyl, an incredibly powerful and synthetic opioid. At Serenity Lane, we’re dedicated to fighting this opioid epidemic with evidence-based practices and high-quality care.

To learn about why these overdoses are happening, we need to take a look at fentanyl. Let’s talk about what it is and why it’s so dangerous.

What’s Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is only prescribed in cases of severe pain. Doctors are very cautious about prescribing it because it does come with a risk. Usually, when this is prescribed, it will only be handed out by a pharmacy in a three-day supply. Any more than that, and the brain starts to form a dependence on it.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which means it’s made in a lab. It’s incredibly powerful – 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 more potent than morphine. There are two kinds of fentanyl: pharmaceutical and illicitly manufactured. If you have back surgery and your doctor prescribes fentanyl, that’s pharmaceutical. If you’re buying it online or through street dealers, it’s likely either stolen or illicitly manufactured.

In America, fentanyl overdoses are a big deal right now. It’s the leading cause of death in adults ages 18-45. The Coronavirus, suicides, and even car accidents come in a step behind fentanyl.

Is Fentanyl Addictive?

Fentanyl binds to the brain’s opioid receptors, decreasing feelings of pain or discomfort. While it’s doing that, it’s also working to create feelings of well-being, relaxation, or even euphoria. If you’re living with past trauma or any kind of mental distress, those feelings are going to be a relief. This is why, for many, taking fentanyl becomes a habit.

When someone has been taking fentanyl regularly, they can also build up a tolerance to it. They’ll need to take more and more in order to achieve the same results. The body becomes dependent on it and experiences fentanyl withdrawals if doses are skipped or stopped. This is what we call addiction or dependency; the need to continue taking something, even when you know it’s bad for you. The act of taking a higher dose often leads to overdose, which is hurting a lot of people right now.

Fentanyl is a very common addiction. In fact, 16 million people are living with opioid use disorder (OUD) worldwide.

Why is Fentanyl Causing So Many Overdoses?

One of the biggest reasons it’s so easy to overdose on fentanyl is tolerance. The body becomes used to the original dose, almost to the point where you can’t feel any of its effects anymore. This causes people to take more and more of it, and because of how potent fentanyl is, this leads to overdose.

Let’s talk about some other common reasons for a fentanyl overdose or a fentanyl overdose death:

1. Illegal sales. Fentanyl is both manufactured and sold illegally, on the streets, or online. When people buy any kind of opioid on the street, they have no way of knowing its full ingredients. Often, dealers will mix heroin or cocaine with fentanyl to increase the “high” or to pad the drugs for financial reasons. Someone might think they’re taking heroin, and in reality, it’s heroin mixed with fentanyl. Because fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin, people are taking their regular amount of heroin only to overdose minutes later.  Other drugs. Any time alcohol or other drugs are taken with fentanyl, the risk of overdose grows. Someone is much more likely to overdose if they’ve been participating in other types of substance use.
2. Fear of prosecution. Oftentimes, people who take fentanyl take it with friends. When they show signs of an overdose, their friends are afraid to call for help. Why? Because they worry they’ll be arrested. This is incredibly common, but recently, laws have come into effect making “good samaritans” immune to any kind of arrest or consequences.
   Note: Under the Oregon Good Samaritan Law (ORS 30.800), there are parameters established as to what actions are protected and in what situations they are appropriate. In general, the Good Samaritan law provides assurance to those who help in an emergency situation, unless they are grossly negligent when providing assistance.
3. Relapse. When someone goes through rehab or seeks treatment to quit opioids, it’s possible that they could go the rest of their lives without touching it again. However, relapse is common months or even years after the last dose. If someone goes a long time without taking fentanyl and then relapses using the same dose they used to take, it’s dangerous. Their body no longer has that same tolerance for it. What used to work dosage-wise no longer works. The body can easily slip into shock or overdose.
4. Something to remember about fentanyl overdose: Fentanyl overdose can be reversed with a medication called naloxone. If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms, tell the dispatcher or the EMT when you call. They’ll know to administer naloxone right away.

Other Dangers Associated with Fentanyl Use

Overdose might be the most common danger associated with fentanyl, but it’s not the only thing that poses a risk to your health and safety.

All opioids come with side effects. These things can happen even if someone has only taken a recommended dose of fentanyl:

• Slow or shallow breathing
• Migraines
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sedation

OUD has its own set of negative consequences, as well. Regular, prolonged fentanyl use can cause people to lose their jobs, families, friends, hobbies, and more. When dependence has taken hold, the main focus becomes getting the next dose and staying high. This takes precedence over everything else in life.

Many who have OUD also have a mental health disorder, and because fentanyl is a depressant, it’s going to make depression and anxiety worse. This can also become dangerous, especially in terms of self-harm or suicidality.

Fentanyl Addiction Treatment at Serenity Lane

People heal from OUD every day. Recovery is 100% possible, and there are many options to choose from. If you think you or someone you love might be struggling with fentanyl use, here are some of the options we provide at Serenity Lane:

Level I outpatient treatment: Level I care provides group counseling sessions on a weekly basis. Patients meet for 1.5-hour weekly sessions to learn to identify and manage stressful life events and to cope with the inevitable ups and downs of early recovery. It is provided in a community close to the patient’s hometown.

Level II intensive outpatient treatment: Level II Intensive Outpatient Programming, is a rigorous and comprehensive ten-week program comprised of group therapy, individual counseling, and education about substance use disorders. Treatment groups meet for three hours, three times per week at one of Serenity Lane’s outpatient clinics.

Long-term residential treatment: This may be the best option for someone suffering from severe addiction or chronic relapse. It may also be the ideal treatment option for complex cases of addiction and patients who work in a safety occupation.

Medically-supported drug detox: Fentanyl detox is often the first step of care within our full continuum of drug addiction or alcohol abuse care services. Our team of medical professionals uses a standardized protocol that is designed to create long-term recovery from dependence on fentanyl. They are prepared and qualified to handle all aspects of detox, including withdrawal symptoms and mental health issues.

Medication-assisted treatment: Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of certain medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a unique approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Some of the drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), known as FDA-approved medications, are naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone.

Virtual addiction treatment: Serenity Lane’s RecoveryNOW virtual addiction treatment services provide the same exceptional Intensive Outpatient and level I outpatient programming via the Zoom conferencing platform. This will include group sessions and meetings with counselors.

At Serenity Lane, we love seeing our patients step into recovery with a newfound sense of strength and purpose. If you or someone you love is interested in fentanyl addiction treatment, call us today at 800-543-9905!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fentanyl used for?

Fentanyl is a very powerful opioid drug that’s used medically to treat people who suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain. It’s also commonly misused by people for its powerful opioid high.

Why is fentanyl dangerous?

Fentanyl is dangerous because it’s easy to overdose on, it’s sold illegally and mixed with other drugs, and it’s incredibly potent (50-100 times more potent than other opioids).