Fentanyl Abuse
A very powerful synthetic painkiller, belonging to the same class of opiates as morphine, Fentanyl is, however, much more potent than morphine, as much as a hundred times stronger! In its medical usage, it is used mainly to treat severe and chronic pain in patients, or manage the severe post-surgery pain. It may also be used to treat those people who suffer from chronic pain but have been found to be physically tolerant to the opiates. However, Fentanyl abuse is a growing problem in the US.
Just like the other opoid drugs such as heroin, or morphine, Fentanyl functions by attaching to the opiate receptors, which are mainly concentrated in the brain, in the areas that control pain. These areas also regulate a person’s emotions. This results in an increase in the levels of dopamine levels in the reward areas of the brain. This produces a state of increased relaxation and euphoria in the user. Overuse of the drug, or Fentanyl abuse, can lead to severe addiction.
When Fentanyl is prescribed by a doctor, for pain management, it can be administered by injection, used as a patch, or taken orally, as a lozenge. In its prescription form, Fentanyl can be under the brand names of Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze. Fentanyl is also sold on the streets and is known as Apache, China white, Goodfella, Murder 8, or Tango and Cash. The regular side effects of the drug include the usual opiate induced euphoria, along with drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, unconsciousness, coma, possible respiratory depression and respiratory arrest, and addiction.
On the street, Fentanyl is mixed with heroin or cocaine, for sale, which increases the potency manifold, as well as increasing the potential dangers of these drugs. This deadly and dangerous combination of drugs has recently garnered a lot of media attention due to the increasing number of cases of Fentanyl abuse and overdose. Overdoses are becoming more and more frequent, with the combination of Fentanyl and heroin or cocaine. A number of deaths have resulted from these overdoses related to Fentanyl abuse.
For some of the people struggling with Fentanyl abuse, it is a mistake they make as a result of not knowing the composition of what they may be buying from off the street. Others, however, have begun intentionally choosing this deadly combination for Fentanyl abuse, in their search for a better high. This is a side effect and a result of their Fentanyl addiction, arising from long term Fentanyl abuse.
Opiates like Fentanyl alter the brain, making it incapable of exercising good judgment. Eventually, the ability of the user to obtain reward from normal pleasures diminishes, putting the user on the compulsive path of looking for more of the drug to activate the blunted and desensitized rewards mechanisms.
The potential danger of Fentanyl abuse continues to grow especially among the young adults. Users are increasingly opting for the slow-release form of this extremely powerful analgesic, for a quick high. A recent popular form of Fentanyl abuse involves the misuse of the clear Fentanyl patch which releases controlled doses of Fentanyl into the person’s bloodstream, through the skin.
A very powerful synthetic painkiller, belonging to the same class of opiates as morphine, Fentanyl is, however, much more potent than morphine, as much as a hundred times stronger! In its medical usage, it is used mainly to treat severe and chronic pain in patients, or manage the severe post-surgery pain. It may also be used to treat those people who suffer from chronic pain but have been found to be physically tolerant to the opiates. However, Fentanyl abuse is a growing problem in the US.
Just like the other opoid drugs such as heroin, or morphine, Fentanyl functions by attaching to the opiate receptors, which are mainly concentrated in the brain, in the areas that control pain. These areas also regulate a person’s emotions. This results in an increase in the levels of dopamine levels in the reward areas of the brain. This produces a state of increased relaxation and euphoria in the user. Overuse of the drug, or Fentanyl abuse, can lead to severe addiction.
When Fentanyl is prescribed by a doctor, for pain management, it can be administered by injection, used as a patch, or taken orally, as a lozenge. In its prescription form, Fentanyl can be under the brand names of Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze. Fentanyl is also sold on the streets and is known as Apache, China white, Goodfella, Murder 8, or Tango and Cash. The regular side effects of the drug include the usual opiate induced euphoria, along with drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, unconsciousness, coma, possible respiratory depression and respiratory arrest, and addiction.
On the street, Fentanyl is mixed with heroin or cocaine, for sale, which increases the potency manifold, as well as increasing the potential dangers of these drugs. This deadly and dangerous combination of drugs has recently garnered a lot of media attention due to the increasing number of cases of Fentanyl abuse and overdose. Overdoses are becoming more and more frequent, with the combination of Fentanyl and heroin or cocaine. A number of deaths have resulted from these overdoses related to Fentanyl abuse.
For some of the people struggling with Fentanyl abuse, it is a mistake they make as a result of not knowing the composition of what they may be buying from off the street. Others, however, have begun intentionally choosing this deadly combination for Fentanyl abuse, in their search for a better high. This is a side effect and a result of their Fentanyl addiction, arising from long term Fentanyl abuse.
Opiates like Fentanyl alter the brain, making it incapable of exercising good judgment. Eventually, the ability of the user to obtain reward from normal pleasures diminishes, putting the user on the compulsive path of looking for more of the drug to activate the blunted and desensitized rewards mechanisms.
The potential danger of Fentanyl abuse continues to grow especially among the young adults. Users are increasingly opting for the slow-release form of this extremely powerful analgesic, for a quick high. A recent popular form of Fentanyl abuse involves the misuse of the clear Fentanyl patch which releases controlled doses of Fentanyl into the person’s bloodstream, through the skin.
For additional information on addiction treatment or the drug
Suboxone,
Call now 1-888-Suboxone or 1-888-782-6966
E-mail: Support@SoftLandingRecovery.com
Content provided by the Editorial Board.
This article is written by a freelance writer. It might not reflect the views and opinions of Soft Landing ltd. or its staff but has been placed here
so that our visitors may get an idea of how others think of the topic.
Information on this page last updated on 06/10/2007