Content Warning: The following information may be difficult and/or triggering to read for some individuals. If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction, please contact the National Opioids Crisis Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.
As parents, it’s natural to worry about our children. When they’re already living through a global pandemic, it can be easy to forget that there is a national epidemic in the United States. The opioid crisis continues to affect the country, making it important to be informed about addiction.
It isn’t easy to picture your children in a vulnerable state, but being aware of the signs could save their life or the lives of their friends. Here’s everything you need to know about the opioid epidemic and the synthetic opioid contributing to many overdoses, Fentanyl.
What are Opioids?
Opioids refer to a class of drugs that include illegal synthetic opioids like Fentanyl, the illegal drug heroin, and pain relievers legally accessible by prescription like oxycodone. Several other opioids fall into this category, such as morphine, hydrocodone, and codeine.
Under strict, direct supervision by a healthcare provider, prescription pain medications can be fundamental to a patient’s care. It’s only when prescription opioids are misused that they become a danger for the person using them.
Opioids come with an extremely high risk of addiction and dependence. Thus, it’s vitally important for healthcare providers to observe their patients closely when treating their pain with prescription opioids.
The United States Opioid Epidemic
The origins of the United States opioid epidemic began in the 1990s when pharmaceutical companies didn’t know about the addictive nature of pain medication.
Upon reassuring the medical community, healthcare providers began to prescribe pain relievers at large rates. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until many people began to experience addiction that healthcare professionals recognized the consequences of these decisions.
In 2017, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency and initiated a five-point strategy to fight against the opioid epidemic.
Drug overdose deaths increased by 5% from 2018-to 2019, meaning numbers have quadrupled since 1999. Of the 70,630 deaths in 2019, 70% involved misused opioids.
Statistics and Facts
Since the declaration of a national opioid epidemic in 2017, statistics have already highlighted the unpredictable effects of pain medication addiction:
- In 2018, two out of every three drug overdose deaths were related to an opioid.
- Overall, deaths related to opioid overdoses increased by 6%.
- Synthetic opioid-related deaths have increased by 15%.
- Deaths involving heroin have decreased by 6%.
- There are over 14,000 substance abuse facilities in the United States.
- Opioid-related deaths involving prescriptions have decreased by 7%.
- According to the CDC, about 128 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day.
- Starting in 2016, 9 billion dollars in HHS grant money has been contributed to states, tribes, and local communities to fight against the opioid epidemic.
- Based on data collected by the NSDUH, in 2020, 9.5 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids.
National Response
National healthcare response units such as the CDC have worked extremely hard to combat the U.S. opioid epidemic. This has included outbreak identification, overdose responses, and continual data collection. Trends are monitored and tracked to understand the epidemic further and respond to it effectively.
Research continues to advance as experts analyze and collect opioid-related data. Similarly, healthcare providers are being supported with updated data, tools, and advice for evidence-based opioid prescribing.
This helps them support communities that need assistance and provide resources that can help reduce rates of opioid misuse. Plus, increased awareness of opioid misuse will prevent further cases of overdoses across the nation.
What is Fentanyl?
Similar to morphine, Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid made and used for prescriptions and illegally. However, it’s 50-100 times more powerful than morphine.
Thus, it’s a prescription drug for the treatment of severe pain, particularly after surgery. When it’s prescribed for people living with chronic pain, it’s usually because that individual has developed a high tolerance for other opioids.
Unfortunately, this has made Fentanyl one of the most common drugs associated with overdose deaths in the U.S. Compared to a 14.3% statistic of opioid-related deaths in 2010. This number skyrocketed to 59% in 2017.
However, it needs to be emphasized that most fentanyl-related deaths are caused by illegally created Fentanyl, not supervised prescription doses of the drug.
Prescription Use
When prescribed by an officially licensed healthcare provider, Fentanyl can be administered as a shot, a lozenge, or a patch placed on the skin. While it is a synthetic opioid, lawful drug production is intended for prescription use only, primarily reserved for post-surgery treatment or extremely severe pain.
Illegal Misuse
Unlawful drug markets produce illegally created Fentanyl. The danger occurs when these illegally produced versions of Fentanyl are mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine.
Some users are unaware of this knowledge, resulting in an extremely strong dose that their body can’t handle. This leads to the high rates of overdoses associated with illegal Fentanyl.
Risks of Addiction
Fentanyl has an extremely high risk of addiction due to its potency. Like other opioid drugs, Fentanyl binds the body’s opioid receptors. This is the area of the brain responsible for pain and other emotions.
After a certain amount of use, the brain adapts to the drug and decreases its effects. This elicits addiction behaviors and makes the user crave more of the drug.
Symptoms of Fentanyl Overdose
It’s extremely important to be aware of fentanyl overdose symptoms; it could potentially save someone’s life. If a person is exhibiting the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Limp body
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cold and clammy skin
- Cyanosis (blue coloring of the fingernails and lips)
- Reduced heart rate
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Decreased or stopped breathing
- Drastic changes in pupillary size
Can Fentanyl Overdose Be Treated?
Yes, but it requires immediate medical attention. Overdoses can be extremely deadly, making it important to take action and call 911 the moment you notice alarming symptoms.
Naloxone is effective in the treatment of fentanyl overdose. This can combat the overdose symptoms and prevent the person from passing away.
While it’s important to be aware of overdose symptoms, we sincerely hope that you or your loved ones never have to experience one. Avoiding an overdose is the best-case scenario. To prevent an overdose from happening, keep an eye out for signs of fentanyl addiction:
- The individual is beginning to take more Fentanyl or is taking them longer than initially intended.
- The person spends a lot of energy, time, and money obtaining Fentanyl.
- The individual displays or verbally mentions intense cravings for Fentanyl.
- The person begins to struggle with school or work.
- The individual begins to withdraw from people and activities they normally would enjoy.
- The individual continues to use the drug despite knowing the dangers that come with it.
- Withdrawal symptoms occur when the person attempts to wean off of the drug.
Treatment
Following an intervention or recovery from an overdose, the individual should seek treatment immediately. First, they’ll need to overcome withdrawal symptoms in a safe and supervised professional rehab center.
Once this part of the treatment process is over, medication and counseling will most likely be the next course of action.
Medications
Some medications have proven to be effective in combating fentanyl addiction. Specific prescription medications like buprenorphine and methadone bind the same opioid receptors as Fentanyl.
This prevents further cravings and intense withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone also blocks opioid receptors and stops the effects of Fentanyl before they happen.
Counseling
Behavioral therapies are the most effective counseling services for people overcoming fentanyl addiction. This counseling style helps people modify behaviors related to drug use and also encourages them to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Effective counseling examples include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and contingency management. CBT manages personal triggers and also helps the person modify the person’s drug use expectations.
Motivational interviewing confronts an individual’s attitude toward change. Contingency management motivates people by using a point system to earn rewards that celebrate healthy living.
Recovery
Someone overcoming addiction may require treatment for a long time. However, when they feel ready to take the next step, they can begin to recover.
Recovery refers to the process when an individual begins to live a healthy life and take steps toward achieving that goal. Remission is when that person can overcome their illness and reclaim their health. Here’s how to help a stepchild struggling with drug addiction.
Resources and Support
The National Opioids Crisis Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
NIDA for Teens: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/
Get Smart About Drugs: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/
General Federal Resources: https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/iea/partnerships/opioid-toolkit/federal-resources/index.html
