One 50-year-old user Jeff Barlow had been a school teacher and motocross racing hobbyist, and required surgery after an accident. amphetamine addiction treatment That got him hooked on painkillers, and he’s now on the streets of SF, sometimes slouched. If you or someone you know is showing these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help immediately. Users and family members should have immediate access to naloxone (Narcan), an opioid agonist medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdose.
Effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS)
Deaths from fentanyl — the https://ltinversionesperu.com/2023/10/13/meth-symptoms-and-warning-signs-signs-of-meth-use/ synthetic, often deadly opioid frequently present in illicit street drugs — have contributed to the United States’ soaring opioid overdose deaths in the last decade. When fentanyl enters your body, it quickly attaches to parts of your brain and body called opioid receptors. These opioid receptors are part of your body’s natural system for managing pain, pleasure, and even some behaviours. Because fentanyl is very strong, it can provide intense pain relief. The truth is that it’s a substance that comes with many risks, especially when used recreationally. It’s used for managing severe pain but must be handled very carefully because even a tiny amount can be very dangerous.
When to Seek Help: Addiction Help and Intervention
- Carrying naloxone can provide them with an extra layer of protection from overdose.
- NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation.
- Like all opioid drugs, fentanyl is very dangerous, and the chances of an opioid overdose are high.
- The medication in each product is absorbed differently by the body, so one product cannot be substituted for any other fentanyl product.
While the colossal scale of the opioid epidemic demands extensive nationwide prevention campaigns and widespread harm reduction initiatives, the journey toward healing can also fentanyl fold begin at an individual and community level. If you or a loved loved one is struggling with a fentanyl addiction, it is paramount to understand that effective help is available, and a life free from the grip of dependency is achievable. This transition typically marks the descent into a devastating cycle of addiction, where the pursuit of fentanyl becomes the singular focus, eclipsing nearly every other aspect of their existence. Supporting someone with addiction also means helping them stay safe while they work toward recovery. This may include helping them get clean needles, fentanyl test strips, or connecting them with substance use treatment programs.
How To Help Someone With Opioid Use Disorder
The fent fold can be a warning sign that someone is having or about to have an overdose. When someone is in the bent-over position and can’t respond when you try to talk to them or touch them, this is a medical emergency. There are specific signs to watch for that mean someone needs help right away. These signs mean their body isn’t getting enough oxygen, which can lead to brain damage or death if not treated promptly. Because fentanyl is so potent and commonly found in the drug supply, it is easy for people to accidentally overdose on fentanyl.
- Experts said fentanyl doesn’t just float up into the air and unintentionally expose people nearby.
- Avoid drinking alcohol for several hours after you take fentanyl.
- This systemic depression causes generalized muscle weakness, contributing to the slumped posture.
- But the effects of the opioid continue to linger on as the person continues with their daily life, in most cases awake but not able to stand up straight.