Fentanyl, an opioid analgesic that is synthetically produced, has quickly grown to become central in the various contemporary discourses of the opioid crisis due to its effectiveness and abuse. Initially intended for medical use, fentanyl has found its way into the black market for drugs. It has greatly fueled the opioid epidemic, putting the public at high risk to their health. However, you might be thinking, ‘What is fentanyl?’ exactly. To know the answer, read below.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl opioid is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and about 50 times stronger than heroin. Developed in the 1960s, fentanyl was initially used as a powerful pain management tool, especially in medical settings where patients required relief from severe pain, such as during surgeries or for chronic pain management in cancer patients.
Chemically, fentanyl belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. It does this through acting upon the body’s opioid receptors present in part of the brain that is related to the feeling of pain and ’emotion’. This binding strongly reduces the perceived pain and offers powerful analgesia to the patient inflicted with severe pain disorders.
Medical Uses of Fentanyl
In the medical field, fentanyl opioid is primarily prescribed for pain management. It is particularly useful in the following contexts:
- Surgical Pain Management: Fentanyl in medicine is often used during and after surgeries to manage acute pain due to its rapid onset and effectiveness.
- Chronic Pain in Cancer Patients: Fentanyl is commonly prescribed for patients with cancer who experience severe, chronic pain that is unresponsive to other opioids.
- Anesthesia: Fentanyl is used in combination with other drugs as part of anesthesia protocols during surgeries.
Therefore, fentanyl in medicine can be administered in various forms, including injections, transdermal patches, lozenges, and tablets. The transdermal patch is one of the most conventional ways of treating chronic pain since it offers a steady supply of the drug for 48 to 72 hours.
Fentanyl in the Illicit Drug Market
While fentanyl’s medical uses are well-documented, its presence in the illicit drug market has escalated dramatically in recent years. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is often produced in clandestine labs and is primarily distributed through illegal drug markets.
IMF is frequently mixed with other substances, such as heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit prescription pills, to increase potency or reduce production costs. This practice is particularly dangerous because users are often unaware of the presence of fentanyl, leading to a significant risk of overdose. Even a small amount of fentanyl—equivalent to just a few grains of salt—can be lethal.
Statistics Highlighting the Crisis
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids like fentanyl were involved in nearly 70% of all opioid overdose deaths in 2021.
- Between 2013 and 2019, deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, primarily fentanyl, increased by more than 1,000%.
- The DEA seized more than 50 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills in 2022, highlighting the scale of the problem.
The Dangers of Fentanyl
The dangers of fentanyl make it incredibly, especially when used outside of a controlled medical environment. The primary risks associated with fentanyl addiction include:
- Overdose: Fentanyl’s potency means that even a tiny amount can cause severe respiratory depression, leading to death. The risk is exacerbated when fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, as users may not be aware they are consuming it.
- Fentanyl Addiction: Like other opioids, fentanyl has a high potential for addiction. Its powerful effects can quickly lead to physical dependence and addiction, particularly when used illicitly.
- Respiratory Depression: Fentanyl can slow or stop breathing, which is the leading cause of death in fentanyl-related overdoses.
- Tolerance and Dependence: Regular use of fentanyl can lead to tolerance (needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect) and physical dependence (experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug).
Fentanyl and the Opioid Crisis
Fentanyl has played a central role in the escalation of the opioid crisis, which has devastated communities across the United States and beyond. The crisis, which began with the overprescription of opioid painkillers in the late 1990s, has evolved with the increasing presence of fentanyl in the drug supply.
The Scope of the Crisis
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that more than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being a significant contributor.
- Fentanyl has been detected in nearly 70% of all drug overdose deaths in the U.S., according to the CDC.
Impact on Communities
The opioid crisis, fueled by fentanyl, has had widespread social and economic impacts, including increased healthcare costs, a rise in homelessness, and a significant burden on law enforcement and emergency services.
Prevention and Harm Reduction
Given the dangers associated with fentanyl, prevention, and harm reduction strategies are critical in mitigating the crisis. Some key approaches include:
- Education and Awareness: Public health campaigns aimed at educating people about the risks of fentanyl and how to recognize signs of overdose are essential.
- Naloxone Distribution: Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl. Expanding access to naloxone and training people on how to use it can save lives.
- Prescription Monitoring: Enhanced prescription monitoring programs can help prevent the diversion of prescription fentanyl and other opioids to the illicit market.
- Safe Consumption Sites: Some regions have introduced safe consumption sites where individuals can use drugs under medical supervision, reducing the risk of overdose and providing access to addiction treatment services.
Conclusion
Fentanyl, while an effective pain management tool in medical settings, has become a significant public health threat due to its misuse in the illicit drug market. Its extreme potency and widespread availability have exacerbated the opioid crisis, leading to a sharp increase in overdose deaths.
Addressing the fentanyl crisis requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, prevention, and harm reduction strategies. By implementing these measures, it is possible to reduce the devastating impact of fentanyl and save lives. For those battling opioid addiction, seeking mental health treatment in Los Angeles is crucial. At Cast Treatment Centers, comprehensive care that includes mental health support and addiction treatment can make a significant difference in recovery and prevention efforts.
Reference:
https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/substanceuse/opioids/pages/fentanylfacts.aspx
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/facts.htm
