Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drugs circulating today. It’s ridiculously strong as an opioid and can be easily added to other substances without the user detecting it. Just a few grams of fentanyl can be enough to cause an overdose. Because it’s often mixed into other drugs, users may take it unknowingly. This silent and invisible threat has helped fuel the rising number of opioid-related deaths in the United States over the last decade.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid originally created for medical use. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and about 50 times stronger than heroin. Its potency is both what makes it effective as a pain reliever and what makes it so dangerous outside of a controlled environment. It is so powerful that an amount the size of a few grains of salt can cause a lethal overdose.
In a legal medical setting, fentanyl is used for pain management and cancer treatment pain in particular. Doctors and anesthesiologists administer fentanyl intravenously to keep patients pain-free during procedures ranging from minor surgeries to major operations. It allows for effective pain management with small doses. However, medical staff are highly trained in calculating and monitoring doses to avoid overdose.
Fentanyl is used as part of the “spinal block” cocktail of drugs administered to women giving birth to alleviate labor pain, commonly known as an epidural. It helps manage the intense pain of childbirth without putting the baby or mother at risk when administered correctly. It allows women to remain awake and engaged in the birthing process while staying comfortable through contractions and delivery.
For patients experiencing chronic or cancer-related pain, fentanyl can be prescribed in the form of transdermal patches, lozenges, or tablets. These are usually reserved for patients who have already built a tolerance to other opioids and require stronger pain management options. Under strict medical supervision, fentanyl patches can provide continuous pain relief and improve the quality of life for patients with advanced illness.
How Does Fentanyl Work in the Body?
Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which are the parts of the nervous system that control pain and emotions. When it binds to these receptors, it increases dopamine levels, producing a state of intense euphoria and relaxation. This effect is what makes fentanyl highly addictive. However, it also slows down breathing and heart rate. If taken in doses even slightly above what the body can tolerate, it can stop breathing altogether. This can lead to death within minutes.
What is Fentanyl Mixed With?
One of the most alarming aspects of fentanyl’s spread is its frequent mixing with other drugs sold in illegal contexts. Because fentanyl is cheap to produce and incredibly strong, dealers mix it into other drugs to increase potency, stretch their supply, and boost profits. Unfortunately, this can result in unintentional overdoses.
Fentanyl is commonly mixed with powdered cocaine. Many people who use cocaine recreationally are unaware that it may contain fentanyl. This combination is especially dangerous because cocaine is a stimulant while fentanyl is a depressant. The opposing effects can put immense strain on the body, increasing the risk of overdose, heart failure, or sudden death. Cocaine users without any tolerance to opioids are especially vulnerable to fatal fentanyl overdoses.
Fentanyl is frequently pressed into counterfeit prescription pills meant to look identical to legitimate medications such as oxycodone (Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), or anti-anxiety medications like Xanax. Someone might buy what they think is a standard painkiller or anxiety pill, then unknowingly ingest a lethal dose of fentanyl. These pills are often produced by illicit labs with no quality control, making dosage unpredictable and dangerous.
In addition to cocaine and counterfeit pills, fentanyl is also mixed into injectable heroin, methamphetamine (meth), MDMA (ecstasy), and other drugs. Many people using heroin are aware of possible fentanyl contamination, but even they cannot accurately determine the dosage without fentanyl test strips. In meth and ecstasy, fentanyl is sometimes added to enhance euphoric effects. This can increase overdose risks exponentially.
The Rapid Rise of Fentanyl-Related Deaths
Fentanyl-related deaths have skyrocketed in the last decade. According to the CDC, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are responsible for the majority of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. This surge is due to a combination of factors:
- Hidden contamination: Users often don’t know they’re ingesting fentanyl.
- Extreme potency: Very small doses (small enough to be added accidentally) can be fatal.
- Widespread availability: Cheap production costs make it attractive to traffickers.
- Quick-acting effects: Overdoses can occur within minutes, sometimes too quickly for emergency responders to reverse in time.
Signs of Fentanyl Addiction
Fentanyl addiction can develop quickly due to the drug’s powerful effects on the brain’s reward system. Here are key signs to watch for in yourself or someone you love:
- Physical dependence: The body requires fentanyl to feel normal, leading to withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped.
- Behavioral changes: Becoming secretive, withdrawn, or abandoning responsibilities and relationships are consistent habits for people who become addicted to fentanyl.
- Increased tolerance: The person needs higher doses to achieve the same effects.
- Financial issues: If someone is spending significant money to obtain fentanyl, or stealing to support their consumptive habit, they likely need help with fentanyl addiction.
- Doctor shopping: People with fentanyl addiction may visit multiple doctors in an attempt to get prescriptions for opioids.
- Using despite harm: The person continues to use fentanyl despite knowing potential risks, ongoing issues with fentanyl in their life, and other consequences in their life.
Signs of Fentanyl Overdose
Because of its potency, fentanyl overdoses happen quickly and can often lead to death if not treated immediately. Recognizing overdose symptoms can save lives.
- Severe drowsiness or unconsciousness
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Bluish lips or fingertips (due to lack of oxygen)
- Cold, clammy skin
- Pinpoint pupils that do not respond to light
- Gurgling or choking sounds
- Unresponsiveness
What to Do in a Suspected Opioid Overdose
If you suspect someone is experiencing a fentanyl overdose:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available. Be aware that multiple doses may be required for fentanyl overdoses.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay them on their side to prevent choking if unconscious.
- Stay with that person until help arrives.
Do not hesitate to call for emergency help, even if illegal drugs are involved. Good Samaritan laws protect those who seek medical assistance for overdoses in most states.
How Fentanyl Impacts Communities
Fentanyl’s spread is not just an individual issue. It affects family members, communities, and entire public health systems. Children are left without parents, workplaces lose valued employees, and emergency responders face daily trauma from responding to overdoses.
Even small accidental exposures, such as touching fentanyl powder without gloves, can be harmful to police officers or emergency medical staff. This can create fear and additional mental health strain on people serving their communities.
Families who lose loved ones to fentanyl often describe feeling blindsided, especially when their family member was unaware they were taking fentanyl. Grief is compounded by anger toward drug traffickers and frustration with the lack of awareness or testing availability.
Overdose treatments, naloxone distribution programs, and the increase in ER visits all place financial strain on local healthcare systems, highlighting the need for prevention, education, and accessible treatment options.
Receive Help for Drug Addiction at Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery Recovery
Fentanyl addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome due to its powerful grip on the brain and body. At Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery Recovery, we provide evidence-based, compassionate treatment to help you or your loved one break free from addiction.
Our programs include:
- Medical detox: Supervised detox to safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Individual therapy: To address underlying trauma, depression, or anxiety fueling addiction.
- Group therapy: For peer support and shared understanding.
- Dual diagnosis treatment: To support people with mental health conditions and help them cope and thrive without using addictive substances.
- Family counseling: To help rebuild trust and strengthen family systems.
- Aftercare planning: Ensuring a stable transition back to daily life with continued recovery support.
You are not alone in this fight. Recovery is possible with the right support, resources, and treatment team. Contact Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery Recovery today to begin your journey toward a healthier, safer, and more fulfilling life free from the dangers of addiction.
Clinical Director
Kendall Maloof is the clinical director at Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has held multiple leadership roles before settling here at Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery. Kendall received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016. Her career in mental and behavioral health began in 2014 when she took up internships in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. She interned at multiple reputable companies, such as The Living Success Center and 449 Recovery in California.
In 2019, Kendall became the clinical director of Sunsets Recovery for Woman, a dual diagnosis program in southern California. Kendall is a natural leader. She has an incredible ability to problem solve and stay calm in any situation. Kendall never fails to show up when she is needed, and her calm demeanor makes her team and clients feel at ease. Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery is proud to have Kendall as our clinical director.
