All opioid drugs are dangerous when taken in large quantities or when taken with other depressants, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines. Signs of overdose include slow breathing, bluish skin and coma. If breathing stops, death can result. People who use opioids regularly for their pleasurable effects soon develop tolerance to these effects, which means they need to use more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect.
As the amount taken increases, so does the risk of overdose. If people with tolerance stop taking the drug, they lose their tolerance. If they then resume taking the same amount they took before they stopped, the risk of overdose is higher.
Some people inject opioids to increase the intensity of the euphoric effect. Sharing needles carries a high risk of infection and disease e. When pharmaceutical tablets or capsules are dissolved for injection, nondrug substances within these products can damage veins and organs.
Regularly using large quantities of opioids during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature delivery and infant withdrawal. Pregnant women who are addicted to opioids are treated with methadone to prevent withdrawal symptoms. What are the long-term effects of using it? Mike Evans Back to top. Fuel discovery.
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Typically dealers will either steal fentanyl from local healthcare providers or make their own fentanyl at home, which can increase the risk of overdose since it may not be chemically identical to fentanyl medication. First, check the color. Many drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, are pure white in powder forms. Typically, fentanyl creates patches of brown spots in the product, and this can be helpful in identifying fentanyl in drugs.
Keep in mind that this method is far from foolproof, but if you do see brown spots in your drugs, they may be laced with fentanyl. Increasingly, fentanyl pills have surged into communities. These are pills that appear to be Xanax, Oxycodone, or another medication, but are actually laced with fentanyl. Sometimes these fentanyl pills may also be marketed as another opioid, methamphetamine, ecstasy, or benzodiazepines.
In some cases, the color or the numbering on the pill may be abnormal, which can help identify fentanyl. However, just as often, there is no clear physical difference to identify a fentanyl pill. While knowing what fentanyl looks like can help you spot the synthetic opioid, this method is much more reliable.
Due to low concentrations of fentanyl and user error, a fentanyl test strip can sometimes not detect fentanyl in a drug.
So what should you do after using a test strip? If you choose to take the drugs anyway, start slowly. Take a small amount, then wait 20 seconds to see how intense the effect is, and either stop or continue slowly depending on how you feel. Unfortunately, drug dealers are not likely to start prioritizing public health over profits. And even with fentanyl test strips, there is no guaranteed way to spot fentanyl in any substances you take. For that reason, the only way for veterans to stay completely safe from fentanyl is to stop taking illicit drugs.
At our veteran rehab center in DeLand, Florida, we understand how concerning fentanyl can be. At this level of care, you will receive medical supervision while detoxing from harmful substances. This not only helps ensure your safety, but it greatly lowers your risk of relapse. After completing detox, most people choose to enroll in our residential rehabilitation program. This is where you will learn the coping skills and behavioral health strategies to quit drug and alcohol for good.
If you know or think someone is struggling with addiction, ask them if you can help. Recovery is possible. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Stop Overdose. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Fentanyl Facts. Minus Related Pages. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl Illicitly manufactured fentanyl IMF is available on the drug market in different forms, including liquid and powder 1.
Street names for IMF include:. Fentanyl and Overdose Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Signs of overdose. Protect yourself from the dangers of fentanyl Protect friends and family with lifesaving naloxone
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