What Does Fentanyl Do to You and Is It Dangerous?

Understanding Fentanyl and Its Effects

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid (50 to 100 times stronger than morphine) used medically to manage severe pain associated with advanced-stage cancer or post-surgical healing. 

It has medical use in managing severe and chronic pain, especially cancer pain. Fentanyl may also be used as a sedative for intubated patients. When prescribed by a doctor, it can be administered in various forms, including skin patches, nasal sprays, lozenges, injections, or tablets.

Fentanyl and its derivatives and analogues are considered Schedule II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This is a classification for drugs that have a high potential for abuse and can lead to psychological or physical dependence. Schedule II drugs also include methamphetamine, oxycodone, and methadone.

When used as directed, prescription fentanyl can bring relief to those in tremendous pain. However, misusing or abusing fentanyl can result in severe issues such as addiction, overdose, or death.

How Does Fentanyl Affect Your Body?

Fentanyl is similar to other commonly used opioid analgesics and produces feelings of relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, and sedation when used.

These effects are caused by fentanyl binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which blocks pain signals and produces feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sedation.

However, some dangerous side effects of fentanyl use can include respiratory depression, confusion, and potential overdose, especially when misused. Because of this, patients who need prescription fentanyl are monitored carefully by medical and healthcare professionals.

Other fentanyl effects on the body that can occur through drug abuse or misuse can include:

• Dizziness
• Sleep problems
• Urine retention
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Itching or hives
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss
• Depression
• Headache
• Bad dreams
• Hallucinations
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Swollen arms and legs
• Vision problems

Long-term fentanyl use can lead to dependence, substance use disorder, and/or addiction. Even when used as directed, suddenly stopping fentanyl use can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms.

Is Fentanyl Addictive?

Yes, fentanyl is highly addictive.

Compared to other prescription opioids, fentanyl is highly potent. Its high potency can lead to dependence, opioid use disorder (OUD), and addiction.

Risks and Dangers of Fentanyl

Can Fentanyl Cause an Overdose?

Yes, only a small dose of fentanyl is enough to cause an overdose. 

Fentanyl and other opioids depress the respiratory system, which leads to dangerously low levels of oxygen in the body. During an overdose, a person may have slow breathing or stop breathing entirely. Without treatment or intervention, a fentanyl overdose can be deadly.

What Makes Illicit Fentanyl More Dangerous?

Illicit fentanyl (made illegally) is more dangerous than prescription fentanyl because there is no oversight or quality control in its manufacturing. 

Normal fentanyl prescribed to patients is created in licensed laboratories that have strict quality controls for safety and accurate dosages.

With illicit fentanyl, it’s impossible to know for sure how much fentanyl you are consuming. Other street drugs may also be contaminated with or knowingly laced with fentanyl to increase their high. Only a small dose of fentanyl is enough to cause a fatal overdose, so using illicit fentanyl is always a risk.

Illicit fentanyl can come in the form of pills, powder, and liquids. It’s typically injected, snorted/sniffed, smoked, taken orally by pill or tablet, and spiked onto blotter paper. Illicit fentanyl can be mixed or laced with other drugs, such as xylazine, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

Recognizing a Fentanyl Overdose

What Are the Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose?

Some signs of a fentanyl overdose include:

• Small, “pinpoint” pupils that don’t react to light
• Pale or bluish skin, especially blue nail beds and lips
• Extreme drowsiness, including difficulty or inability to stay awake
• Cold and clammy skin 
• Slow or undetectable heartbeat
• Breathing that’s slow, shallow, erratic, or completely stopped
• Vomiting
• Limpness in the body or limbs 
• Choking or gurgling sounds with breathing 
• Unconsciousness and no response to stimuli such as loud noises

If you notice someone experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to take action immediately.

What Should You Do If Someone Overdoses?

If you notice someone displaying the signs of a fentanyl or opioid overdose, you should:

• Administer an overdose reversal medication, like naloxone (Narcan), if available, and call 911 
• Try to keep the person breathing and awake
• Lay the person down in the recovery position, on their side, to prevent choking
• Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives. If you have administered naloxone, tell the medical personnel that you did so 

Naloxone typically comes in a nasal spray or injection and is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is available in all 50 states and can be obtained over the counter without a prescription.

However, while naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose, the person it was used on still needs to receive care from medical professionals. Always call 911 after administering naloxone.

How Many Overdose Deaths Are Linked to Fentanyl?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids like fentanyl contribute to nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths.

Even a small amount of fentanyl can contribute to an overdose. Some illicit drugs may be contaminated or laced with fentanyl, either intentionally or unintentionally. The danger of laced or contaminated drugs is what contributes greatly to the high rates of overdose and deaths related to fentanyl.

Fentanyl and Public Health

Why Is Fentanyl a Public Health Concern?

Fentanyl abuse is a major public health concern because of the skyrocketing overdose deaths and strain on medical and law enforcement services.

Contamination or lacing of fentanyl into other street drugs leads to higher rates of fatal overdoses. The increased rates of overdoses, paired with a shortage of healthcare workers, make it difficult to keep up with this ongoing public health crisis.

Along with these concerns are grieving families who have lost loved ones to overdose. Fentanyl is highly addictive and can devastate communities once present.

How Are Naloxone and Harm Reduction Used?

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, while harm reduction programs are used to raise public awareness on how to prevent overdoses. 

Harm reduction programs vary by state, but many distribute or point interested people to obtaining naloxone and fentanyl test strips, along with the training to use both correctly.

Testing strips can prevent overdose by testing substances to detect the presence of fentanyl, which can be fatal in small dosages. Naloxone can be carried and used easily by anyone with minimal training and can prevent overdose deaths.

What Agencies Monitor Fentanyl Use and Safety?

The two major agencies monitoring fentanyl use and safety are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

These agencies are constantly monitoring fentanyl use and abuse in the country while providing updated statistics and information. The creation of social media has allowed for further outreach and educational opportunities by the CDC, DEA, and other addiction and mental health-focused agencies.

Treatment and Support for Fentanyl Use

What Treatment Programs Are Available?

There are many treatment programs available for OUD or fentanyl addiction, depending on the severity of the addiction and the unique needs of the client. 

Addiction treatment centers like Infinite Recovery blend addiction and mental health care to create comprehensive treatment programs designed to help clients overcome addiction.

Which exact treatment programs are needed will depend on the individual and what the individual treatment center can offer. Some clients may need a referral to additional care alongside treatment, especially if they have an underlying medical condition exacerbated or worsened by their substance abuse or addiction.

At Infinite Recovery, clients typically start with a medically supervised detox program before entering residential treatment. Once stabilized, clients may transition into further care, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP), or move into outpatient treatment, such as an intensive outpatient program (IOP).

The specific therapies used in treatment programs vary, but it’s typically a blend of psychotherapy and holistic modalities.

Once treatment is complete, clients move into continued supportive and aftercare services. This can range from sober living and transitional housing programs, mentorship, support groups, and alumni programs.

Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Used for Fentanyl?

Yes, medication-assisted treatment is used for treating opioid use disorders and fentanyl addiction. 

MAT works by combining medications, such as buprenorphine, with therapy to help clients recover from fentanyl addiction.

Buprenorphine binds to the same opioid receptors in the brain as fentanyl. This reduces cravings and alleviates withdrawal symptoms without producing the same high associated with fentanyl. The goal is to stabilize the client’s brain chemistry, which helps them focus on recovery and reduce the risk of relapse and overdose.

MAT is combined with behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help clients modify their drug use behaviors, manage triggers, and develop healthy coping strategies. The goal of these therapies is to help clients develop the skills needed to handle stressful situations without resorting to self-medication through drug use.

How Can Loved Ones Support Recovery?

Loved ones can support their loved ones’ recovery from substance abuse by:

• Educating themselves about fentanyl addiction
• Offering genuine emotional support 
• Encouraging participation in professional treatment programs and support groups
• Taking care of their own well-being with family-focused support services  

When speaking with a loved one, avoid blame and judgment. Choose a moment where your loved one is sober and calm, if possible. Speak calmly and express your care and concerns.

It can be helpful to have resources on hand, so you can offer solutions in the form of professional help and treatment. Infinite Recovery, along with other mental health care and addiction treatment facilities, offers intervention services to help navigate this critical point in helping your loved one.

Once your loved one has entered treatment, remain understanding and supportive. Remind your loved one that you love them and will be there to support, but not enable them.

While helping your loved one, it’s important to also receive care for yourself. Addiction doesn’t just hurt the individual; it can hurt the entire family. Using tools such as family and individual therapy or family programs can help the entire family find healing and support.

Further family services, support groups, and educational programs will help you prepare to help your loved one post-treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does fentanyl do to you?

Fentanyl, in the short term, causes feelings of euphoria, relaxation, pain relief, and sedation. 

However, fentanyl is highly addictive and can cause severe effects on mental and physical health when misused. Long-term use can put one at risk for a heart attack, respiratory distress, or overdose. Only a small amount of fentanyl is enough to cause a fatal overdose.

Can naloxone reverse a fentanyl overdose?

Yes, naloxone can reverse a fentanyl overdose when administered quickly and correctly as soon as it is suspected that someone is experiencing an overdose.

However, naloxone does not replace the need for further medical attention. Always call 911 when you suspect someone is overdosing, and tell any emergency or medical personnel who arrive that you have administered naloxone.

How dangerous are counterfeit pills with fentanyl?

According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), one fake pill with as little as 2mg of fentanyl is enough to kill an average person. 

Counterfeit pills are hazardous, not just because of cross-contamination, lack of quality control, and fentanyl potency, but also because they can be mistaken for legitimate prescription pills. Many people take fake pills and assume they are just as safe as prescription ones. This assumption can be deadly.

What is the difference between prescription and illicit fentanyl?

Prescription fentanyl is prescribed by a doctor and is created in labs with strict quality control and standards, while illicit fentanyl is created without rigorous safety and quality standards.

What makes illicit fentanyl so dangerous is that it’s manufactured to look like prescription medications, which makes the buyer believe that what they are taking is inherently safe. The DEA has a fact sheet showing how closely fake pills can mimic prescription medications.

Prescription fentanyl is carefully prescribed, which takes into account the individual’s biology and underlying health concerns. Patients who take prescribed fentanyl are closely monitored by their doctors to ensure safety and prevent adverse effects.

Taking fake pills, or any other form of illicit fentanyl, does not have this level of professional medical oversight, which can result in dependence, OUD, addiction, overdose, or death.

How can first responders prevent fentanyl deaths?

First responders can prevent drug use deaths by using naloxone to reverse opioid overdose and following strict safety protocols to minimize drug exposure. 

Fentanyl exposure, even in small doses, can be fatal when absorbed into the body. Special training for first responders helps prevent further injury and death by using specialized safety protocols to protect themselves and their patients.

Can fentanyl use lead to long-term health problems?

Yes, fentanyl can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems, such as:

• Memory loss and cognitive decline
• Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
• Sleep disorders
• Opioid induced psychosis 
• Chronic digestive issues and constipation 
• Hormonal imbalance
• Heart complications 
• Severe malnutrition or weight loss 
• Weakened immune system 
• Respiratory problems 
• Dependence and addiction 

Long-term use and addiction may lead to severe social consequences, such as legal troubles, financial strain, job loss, damaged relationships, and isolation from loved ones. These factors can contribute to the decline of physical and mental health, which may contribute to medical emergencies such as a heart attack, respiratory distress, or overdose.

What resources are available for caregivers?

There are several official government-sponsored (indicated by the .gov in the website URL) and local resources available for family and friends caring for a loved one with an opioid use disorder or addiction. 

Some examples include:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Offers information and a national helpline for treatment referrals and resources for families, as well as SMART Recovery.
• Faces and Voices of Recovery: An advocacy group that offers support and information for families dealing with substance use disorders.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Provides resources on opioid addiction, treatment options, and research findings.
• Local and state-based overdose prevention programs: Provide training and access to prevention and life-saving tools, such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips (FTS)

Is fentanyl overdose common among synthetic opioids?

Yes, fentanyl overdose is very common among synthetic opioids. 

The potency of fentanyl and its prevalence as an illicitly manufactured drug have contributed to the overall increase in overdose deaths in the United States.

Fentanyl is a highly addictive and dangerous opioid that is a driving force in the overdose crisis in the United States. Mental health care and addiction treatment facilities like Infinite Recovery in Texas are doing their part in navigating this crisis by providing quality and compassionate opioid addiction treatment. If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl addiction, call (844) 928-1502 today.