According to a 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control, the opioid epidemic is continuing to ravage the country, with the highly addictive synthetic opioid Fentanyl continuing to claim thousands of lives each year. In particular, overdose deaths wherein Fentanyl played a role, is increasing in young adults aged 25-34.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a prescription, "man-made" opioid pain reliever, which has been approved for the treatment of severe pain, such as the pain experienced by those suffering from cancer. Fentanyl has been approximated to be 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed as a shot, transdermal (skin) patch, or is available as a lozenge.

However, Fentanyl is commonly illicitly and illegally made and distributed as a street drug, thanks to its "heroin-like" euphoric effect. It is available in dozens of varieties (gels, pills, etc.) Drug users report that that the high from Fentanyl fades faster than from heroin, which leads intravenous drug uses to inject more frequently.

Fentanyl is frequently added to other drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, or cocaine to increase its effects. Fentanyl may also inadvertently wind up in other drugs, wherein the user is unaware that they are taking it. However, the CDC suspects that drug manufacturers are intentionally adding it to other drugs to increase the number of users who become addicted to it.

Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous?

Fentanyl is dangerous both because it is highly addictive, and because it is very easy for an individual to overdose on it. Fentanyl can shut down breathing in less than one minute. This prevents oxygen from reaching the brain, leading to hypoxia. Hypoxia may lead to coma, brain damage or death. Indeed, Fentanyl is incredibly dangerous in and of itself, but it is particularly dangerous when users are unaware that they are taking it, because it is mixed with another drug.

How To Recover from Fentanyl Addiction

There is hope for those who are addicted to Fentanyl. As an addiction medicine specialist, Los Angeles based Dr. Ryan Peterson helps individuals suffering from opiate addiction to safely withdraw from the drug and begin to live a life free from opioid addiction. Dr. Ryan Peterson is certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine and provides medically supervised opiate withdrawal and addiction treatment throughout L.A.

Treatments for withdrawing from Fentanyl or other opioid drugs may include medications, such as Subutex, Suboxone, Vivitrol, and Naltrexone. Treatment often also involves psychological counseling, coping, and/or recovery program solutions.

No one who is addicted to drugs—whether they are obtained on the street, or through a prescription—should feel ashamed. These drugs are by their very nature, highly addictive substances. Becoming dependent upon an opioid does not mean that you’re a bad person, or a weak person, or anything else. It does mean though, that you need to seek medical care immediately.

Dr. Ryan Peterson will work with you to design a medically supervised opioid withdrawal treatment plan which will help to reduce cravings and reduce the likelihood of an overdose. If you're struggling with a drug addiction, please contact us today for a confidential consultation, and to begin your path to recovery.

To schedule a consultation with Addiction Specialist Dr. Ryan Peterson, call 818-200-8192