Fentanyl Street Drug

It is estimated that roughly 22 million Americans use illegal drugs. This accounts for 9 percent of the US population that use drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin and prescription drugs. These numbers have stayed relatively level for the past decade. Drug use among the younger population is higher than the overall national average, with 20 percent of young adults age 18 to 25 using illegal drugs. One of the drugs that is widely abused is fentanyl, which is used medicinally to treat moderate to severe pain. It has proven effective to treat patients with chronic pain associated with cancer and post-operation recovery. However, many people use this drug illegally, which can be very dangerous.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and narcotic painkiller with characteristics similar to other opioids, especially morphine. However, it is much more potent than morphine and even heroin. Many addicts who abuse the drug do not realize just how strong the drug is and end up overdosing, which can easily lead to death. Sometimes, fentanyl is sold as a street drug and passed off as heroin. Drug users then use it like they would heroin and do not account for the drug's high level of potency. This can lead to a dangerous situation.

Fentanyl can come in a wide variety of different forms - lozenge, pill, injection, film that dissolves in the mouth, and even as a skin patch. Skin patches are popular among people with a fentanyl addiction because of how easy to use and indiscreet they are. They simply apply the patch to their skin, and the drug is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Like other opioids, fentanyl produces feelings of euphoria in the user. It is highly addictive, even more so than heroin. The drug has a rapid onset and a short duration of action, leaving the user to crave more once the high wears off.

Legally, fentanyl is available only through special programs. Doctors typically only prescribe the drug to patients that have already been using an opioid and have built up a tolerance. Otherwise, because of fentanyl's high level of potency, they could end up taking too much during their first use and overdose. Fentanyl is sold under a variety of different brand names, including Sublimaze, Actiq, Duragesic, Tentora and Abstral. It is not easy to obtain a prescription for fentanyl, and it is typically reserved for patients with serious and chronic pain.

Like other opioids, users who develop a fentanyl addiction should seek drug abuse treatment. Fentanyl addiction treatment is similar to any other type of drug rehab. Initially, patients check in and are assessed to determine the level and length of their use. They then go through the detoxification process where they flush the toxins of the drug from their system. Withdrawal symptoms during detox can be painful and uncomfortable but are rarely fatal with fentanyl. They then attend group therapy sessions, one-on-one meetings with psychiatrists and treatment professionals, and support group meetings. By learning about their addiction and how to deal with their drug cravings in a healthy manner, patients have a much higher chance of a successful recovery after they complete their fentanyl drug addiction treatment.