Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Once I found myself falling victim to a full-fledged fentanyl addiction, I knew I was gambling with death even more than I was before. I became addicted to opiates in my teenage years and eventually ended up becoming a heroin addict.
When I was introduced to fentanyl, it almost killed me. I overdosed the first time I used it, yet I found myself craving it and it soon became my drug of choice. That is how scary addiction can be. You know it can kill you, and even if it almost does, you’ll continue using. Unfortunately, most people don’t understand the risks of exposure to fentanyl.
Reaching my Bottom Faster with Fentanyl
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When I arrived at Emerald Isle I was in terrible physical and mental shape. I had been addicted to drugs for years, so it was going to be a long time before I could ever feel normal in sobriety. The idea of sobriety was very scary to me at first.
It’s weird how you can be scared of getting clean yet staying addicted can kill you. This is how warped your mind can become under the influence of drugs. Fentanyl, carfentanyl, and synthetic opioids are becoming more and more popular, and the rising numbers of overdose deaths attest to the risks of using these potent opioids.
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Is Fentanyl the Most Dangerous Drug?
Is Fentanyl the most dangerous drug you can do? A lot of drugs are dangerous. Most of them can kill you, but when you’re dealing with fentanyl, it’s literally like playing Russian roulette. Why is fentanyl so dangerous? Fentanyl has been in the news a lot these days, as it is responsible for killing so many addicts.
It’s quickly becoming the face of the opioid epidemic. Getting help for someone using fentanyl is tricky because it is such a relatively new problem. There are some basics on the spread of fentanyl that everyone should be aware of.
What is Fentanyl Anyway?
It’s a synthetic opioid that is typically between fifty to a hundred times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl is usually only prescribed by doctors to those suffering from advanced cancer or other terminal illnesses. The reason that it has become such a popular drug is directly related to the rise of the opioid epidemic.
A lot of opioid addicts like myself became addicts by abusing pain medication like Percocet and Oxycodone. For me it was Percocet. As soon as I tried it, I was hooked. I was probably around fifteen when I first tried it, and by the time I graduated high school I had an expensive drug habit.
A Path to Fentanyl Through Prescription Opioids
Prescription drugs can be very expensive on the black market. The prices have only increased as the opioid epidemic has worsened. When the pills became too expensive to satisfy my high tolerance, I began using heroin because it was far cheaper and just as powerful.
You don’t ever expect to end up using heroin when you dabble with drugs as a teenager. It seems like a completely different world. It’s shocking how quickly you can get to that point. Now that I have been clean for several years, I seemed destined like so many others to go from pills to heroin to fentanyl.
Fentanyl in Comparison to Other Opioids
Fentanyl, in comparison to other opioids, is a much scarier gamble. Because it is fifty times more powerful than morphine, it can be extremely easy to overdose on. The risks of mixing fentanyl with other drugs are extreme and can very often lead to death. Just ingesting enough fentanyl on its own can easily make you overdose.
When you buy drugs on the street as most addicts do, you don’t know exactly what you’re taking. There’s no FDA approval on powder heroin. I could usually always tell if my drugs were cut with other drugs, which they most often were.
Fentanyl Toxicity: Rolling the Dice with Death
A lot of people who take fentanyl don’t even know they’re taking it. It’s mixed in the heroin you buy and there’s no way to know it. Mixing fentanyl and cocaine is also something you will see dealers do. This has become a very disturbing trend among drug dealers. A lot of the drugs out on the street now are cut with fentanyl.
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Where is Fentanyl Found in America?
It’s everywhere. Because it is a synthetic drug, it can be made anywhere. A lot of it is smuggled into America from countries like Mexico, just like other drugs are.
So long story short, Fentanyl has quickly become a nightmare in America. Once I became addicted to it, even the people I used to do heroin with were shocked. After my first time trying it and overdosing on it, I initially swore I wouldn’t do it again. That feeling only lasted about a day and a half.
Fentanyl and the Phenomenon of Craving
I began to intensely crave that high again, even though it almost killed me. It was a high unlike no other, and I promised myself I’d be a little more careful this time. I ended up abusing fentanyl for over six months before I ended up at Emerald Isle after another overdose. I tried to be careful not to do too much, but it still made my life a living hell and almost killed me again.
The Risks of Exposure To Fentanyl
When I got to treatment, I knew I was in for a long fight. How long does fentanyl last in your system? My initial detox was three days. Fentanyl can stay in your system for between 24 and 72 hours. Emerald Isle has incredible treatment methods for fentanyl misuse. I required a lot of therapy and getting my mind right after all those years of addiction. My time was spent valuably for the first time in my adult life. All my time before was wasted being a shell of myself, high on dope.
When I became sober for the first time, it was an overwhelming feeling. I thought I could take on the world. I had to remind myself to be careful about the pink cloud syndrome. A lot of addicts can succumb to the pink cloud, which refers to the initial period of sobriety where you feel overly confident. This overconfidence can trick you into thinking you are all clear and you are no longer an addict. That’s how I initially felt, and it almost made me relapse. The reality is, sobriety is a real struggle just like addiction. It’s far more rewarding than addiction, but it still requires a lot of work.
Treatment Methods for Fentanyl Misuse
It’s very possible to recover from a fentanyl addiction or any opioid addiction for that matter. It all depends on how much effort you put into it. You have to get your mind right before you can succeed. Aftercare services are a great idea, particularly for newly sober people. It’s important to keep your addiction on a short leash and know that it is right there under the surface. Just because you are clean today, doesn’t guarantee you will be tomorrow. It truly is a daily process that must be taken seriously.
My family played a big part in my recovery. I had extremely supportive parents and siblings who helped me become the man that I am today. I am three years clean now and I owe it to the people around me. I know that a lot of it was me putting in the work, but it takes a little help along the way. I still attend as many meetings as I can and I try to tell my story whenever possible. I’ve met a lot of people who were just like me who have also achieved sobriety. That gives me a lot of confidence to continue on my path.
The Need for Fentanyl Awareness
I’ve seen what fentanyl has been doing recently to all walks of life. Young people, older people, people of all backgrounds. It’s become a scary thing to witness and another big reason why I am so active in my sober community.
I want people to know how horrible this stuff is, and how it’s not going away anytime soon if we continue to ignore it. There were over fifty thousand overdose deaths last year from fentanyl alone! That number is going to continue to climb if we don’t educate people.
Getting Help for Someone Using Fentanyl
The rise of Narcan has helped a lot of drug addicts survive overdoses. Naloxone and Narcan administration have saved a lot of lives. The way overdoses are dealt with is much different these days with fentanyl and first responders.
First responders have a much better shot at bringing you out of an overdose because of drugs like naloxone and fentanyl. The availability of Narcan spray for opioid overdose is increasing and it’s a crucial new tool. Surviving the overdose is the first step. You’ll want to consider different forms of medication assisted treatment for fentanyl once you decide to seek help.
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Educate Yourself in Sobriety from Fentanyl
Education is one of the best tools that we have if we want to prevent addiction. I didn’t know how dangerous opioids were when I began using them because nobody told me. There has been a lot of progress as far as educating people on the dangers of drugs, but we still aren’t where we need to be.
The more people become aware of these drugs the better our chances will be. Expanding the awareness of drugs like fentanyl and holding those accountable who supply it illegally will be a good start.
Start Your Recovery from Fentanyl at Emerald Isle
I remember reading not too long ago that the actor Michael K. Williams died from an overdose of heroin laced with fentanyl. Since then, I have seen a rise in people talking about how dangerous fentanyl is. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a high-profile death before a conversation can begin, but it’s something.
I’m willing to use whatever possible at my disposal to continue warning people about the destructive nature of this drug. It’s the least I can do for the recovery community that has been so kind and welcoming to me.
And if you (or a loved one) are struggling with fentanyl, please reach out to the Admissions team at Emerald Isle, sooner rather than later. If you’re wondering about whether to seek treatment, seize the motivation you have and call now, it could very well be the moment that saves your life.
