Many manufacturers, dealers, and users see it as a more cost efficient choice for the same effect as other opioids. With any substance, the supply matches the demand, and as fentanyl continues to be demanded by those who use it illicitly, it will continue to be present in underground and illegal markets worldwide. The availability of black-market fentanyl and fentanyl analogs led to a U.S. opioid epidemic that continues to cause thousands of overdose deaths each year and destroy families and communities in the process. A lethal dose of carfentanyl, a fentanyl analog, is about the size of the head of a pin, requiring the full protection of hazmat suits. Some black-market drug makers create new fentanyl analogs to avoid classification as illegal, get around policy restrictions on manufacturing, and evade detection in standard drug tests. It can be difficult to determine if pills were legally produced for pharmaceutical distribution or illegally produced for illegal drug sales.
Understanding the Demand: Do People Buy Fentanyl?
Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has emerged as a significant public health concern in recent years. Its potency—about 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine—has led to skyrocketing rates of misuse and overdoses. This begs the question: do people buy fentanyl? The short answer is yes, but understanding the motivations and implications behind this behavior requires a deeper dive.
Reasons Behind the Purchase of Fentanyl
As noted above, specification of opioids into subtypes in death certificate data has improved over the years. Thus, part of the increase in the share of opioid deaths involving heroin was due to better documentation of heroin by medical examiners. Many opioid deaths involve multiple opioids, and so these rates and percentages are not mutually exclusive. Doctors say medication-assisted therapy saves lives by keeping people from seeking heroin, especially when compared to going cold turkey.
People might seek out fentanyl for various reasons, including:
Naloxone is available at many pharmacies in Texas without a prescription. Illegally manufactured fentanyl is found in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and in counterfeit pills. As a result, many people may not know they’re ingesting fentanyl, leading to an accidental poisoning. A person taking prescription fentanyl as instructed by a doctor can experience dependence, which is characterized by withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped. A person can be dependent on a substance without being addicted, but dependence can sometimes lead to addiction. An overdose occurs when a drug produces serious adverse effects and life-threatening symptoms.
Study participants were grateful that the research team shared the information that their UA results were positive for fentanyl. All were aware of the growing presence of fentanyl in the drug supply—indeed some felt exposure was inevitable—but the personal experience of an unanticipated positive test heightened awareness of risk. This suggests a potentially useful role for medical clinics, methadone programs and other entities that conduct UA. By providing results in a supportive manner, they can equip people with a means to compare their intended substance use with UA results and act on the information as they wish.
The importance of naloxoneDue to the alarming opioid crisis, San Diego County officials now offer naloxone at no cost and without a prescription to anyone at risk of an overdose. Naloxone is a medication designed to immediately reverse an opioid overdose if administered in time. It blocks the brain’s opioid receptors and restores normal breathing in people who have overdosed on fentanyl, heroin and prescription painkillers. Legal fentanyl is a synthetic opioid medicine typically used to treat patients with long-lasting severe pain or severe pain following surgery.
Remember that opioids like fentanyl are not absorbed through the skin. You can feel safe to touch a person having an opioid overdose without endangering yourself. The saying “one pill can kill” is true because people don’t know how much is in it.
Have Naloxone On Hand
- Pain Management: Legitimate use in medical settings for patients suffering from severe pain.
- Recreational Use: Some individuals misuse fentanyl for its euphoric effects.
- Accessibility: With other opioids facing scrutiny, some may turn to fentanyl due to its availability on the black market.
- Dependence: Individuals with a history of opioid addiction may seek fentanyl to satisfy cravings.
The Risks Associated with Buying Fentanyl
While there may be reasons for purchasing fentanyl, the risks cannot be overstated:
- Overdose Risk: Fentanyl’s high potency significantly increases the risk of overdose, even in small quantities.
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and can lead to severe legal repercussions.
- Contaminated Products: Illegally purchased fentanyl may be mixed with other substances, heightening the risk of unexpected side effects or overdose.
Statistics on Fentanyl Use
Recent statistics shed light on the alarming prevalence of fentanyl in various communities:
- According to the CDC, fentanyl was involved in nearly 70% of all opioid overdose deaths in recent years.
- The opioid crisis has led to an increase in the number of people purchasing fentanyl illegally.
- Surveys show a rising trend among young adults experimenting with synthetic opioids, including fentanyl.
FAQs about Fentanyl
1. Is fentanyl being prescribed legally?
Yes, fentanyl is prescribed by healthcare professionals for severe pain management, typically in cases of surgery recovery or cancer treatment.
2. How is fentanyl commonly misused?
Misuse can occur through various methods, including:
- Injecting
- Snorting
- Administering through patches without medical supervision
3. What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
Signs of an overdose include:
- Skin exposure to fentanyl is extremely unlikely to harm you immediately.
- That’s a 700 percent increase from five years ago for manufactured opioids.
- By 2021, fentanyl was involved in the vast majority of overdose deaths, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
- While healthcare professionals write fewer prescriptions each year, most pain specialists continue to prescribe it to patients in excruciating pain.
- Many insurances including TennCare cover naloxone at a minimal cost.
- Extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Blue or purple tint to the lips or nails
4. How can one seek help for fentanyl addiction?
Seeking help typically involves:
- Contacting a local addiction treatment center
- Seeking counseling or therapy
- Participating in support groups like Narcotics Anonymous
Conclusion
The question of do people buy fentanyl reveals a complex reality intertwined with challenges of addiction, pain management, and public health. Understanding the motivations behind this behavior is critical for addressing the opioid crisis effectively. Education, prevention, and treatment options are vital in mitigating the risks associated with fentanyl use.
