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You might have heard mention of the opioid epidemic before. You might have even heard stories spread on social media about the dangers of fentanyl. You’re not sure what to believe, though. You know people who’ve had opioid prescriptions from a work injury, and they were just fine. Is it actually that dangerous?
The concern surrounding fentanyl has skyrocketed in the past few years, and the numbers reflect that. From 2018 to 2022, the amount of fentanyl seized in Oregon went from 690 to over 2 million. In the first half of 2023 alone, over 1.2 million opioid prescriptions were handed out. Finally, opioids were responsible for over 67% of all overdoses in the state in 2021. What does fentanyl have to do with the opioid epidemic?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than morphine. It’s used primarily for patients with high pain management needs, such as cancer patients. The combination of it being synthetic and its high potency makes it an easy target for drug dealers everywhere. Our team here at Serenity Lane has seen countless incidents of how opioids, fentanyl specifically, can impact the lives of those in our community. Our team of master-level physicians want to help answer some of the community’s questions about substance use in order to help make recovery more accessible for everyone. Today we’re going to look at fentanyl and answer the question, “What is a fentanyl overdose?”
One of the most common reasons for a fentanyl overdose is fentanyl-laced substances. Because fentanyl is fully synthetic, it's cheap for drug dealers to either make or get ahold of. They can then add it into batches of other drugs like cocaine, heroin, or meth without lessening the experience of the user. They save product and make a higher profit this way.
The negative thing is that this is rarely disclosed to the person buying or partaking in the substance. When they take their normal dosage of cocaine, for example, they aren't aware that it's laced with fentanyl and can end up taking too much by accident.
There are ways to help avoid this, however. Fentanyl testing strips are fully legal here in the state of Oregon. You can utilize fentanyl testing strips in order to test any substance for the presence of fentanyl. Knowing what's in the product you're taking can help potentially save your life.
There are no ways to detect fentanyl using our five senses in similarly powdered products. Not only is it visually the same as other substances, but it won't impact the scent or taste of a substance in a distinguishable way, either. Fentanyl testing strips are the safest option. Check with your local syringe service programs to see if they have drug testing strips available.
If you know the symptoms of an opioid overdose, you can be better equipped to spot one. Opioids are responsible for 67% of all overdose deaths in the state of Oregon. They can be incredibly deadly when the proper steps aren't taken to help the person in need. Let's look at the signs of an opioid overdose and what you can do to help someone who is overdosing on opioids.
Overdosing overall can be dangerous. It occurs when you overwhelm your system with more substance than it can process in a given time. While not all fentanyl side effects are deadly in themselves, it doesn't make an overdose of any kind any less serious.
Here are some side effects you can look out for that might indicate a fentanyl overdose:
If you notice any of these signs, there are things you can do to help.
If you think someone might be overdosing on fentanyl, you can help them.
The most important thing you can do is call for medical help. The Good Samaritan Law prevents you from being prosecuted for seeking medical help from a substance overdose. Don't be afraid to tell the medical professional any information you know. The more they know about any substances used or the timeline of use, the better they can treat the person who is overdosing.
There is one more tool that can be very helpful in preventing opioid-related overdoses, and that is an FDA-approved medication known as naloxone. Naloxone helps block opioid receptors to stop the serious effects of an opioid overdose. There are places throughout the state where you can get naloxone. Having some on hand can help save a life.
There are several different variables that can impact how likely it is for someone to experience a fentanyl overdose. There is no set formula that applies to everyone.
One of the primary variables is your history of use. The longer you’ve been participating in substance use of any kind, the higher your risk of overdose is. Despite feeling like you need to take more in order to feel the same effects of a substance, your body isn’t actually processing the drug any faster, leading to an increased risk of overdose.
There are other factors to keep in mind too. Things like your metabolism, the other substances in your body, how much of a substance you take, your age, and even your weight can influence how or if you experience an overdose.
If you want to help a loved one get into treatment for fentanyl use, remember to approach them with love and support. Do not be accusatory or judgmental. Remind them you care and you want to help. If you yourself are looking for help with fentanyl use, you’re not alone. Serenity Lane, the oldest substance recovery nonprofit in Oregon, has helped thousands of patients build a strong foundation for their recovery journey. We want to help you reach your healing goals.
When looking for a proper place to start your recovery journey, it’s important to find a location that offers both detox services as well as a medication-assisted treatment program, or MAT. MAT is shown to help increase the odds of long-term opioid recovery while decreasing the risk of return to use and future overdoses.
With the full continuum of care available as well as multiple locations throughout the state, you can find a Serenity Lane near you without having to travel too far from home. If you want to get started on your recovery journey, our team is here and ready to help. Just give us a call at (800) 543-9905 and you can get started right away.
What do you do if you are exposed to fentanyl?
If you think you might have ingested fentanyl by accident, you can always call poison control to receive advice on your next steps. If you think you might have been exposed to fentanyl via touch, wash your hands thoroughly using warm water. Never use bleach to try and get fentanyl off of yourself. You’re at low risk of experiencing side effects from physical contact with fentanyl as long as you wash it off and don’t touch your face before you do.
How strong is fentanyl overdose?
Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, meaning it takes 50 times less fentanyl to overdose than it does heroin.
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